Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power

Overview

Join to apply for the Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power role at ERM . ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power overseeing Impact Assessment, Planning and Permitting for renewable energy facilities throughout the Midwest . This role will manage environmental studies and permitting for various power facilities and other major capital development projects, including solar development, battery energy storage system development, technology infrastructure and energy transmission projects. The ideal candidate will have multiple years of project management experience in the power and/or technology sector along with technical expertise leading environmental, local, state, and federal level permitting for large-scale capital projects.

It is preferred that the candidate has experience developing permits and permitting strategies for renewable projects, particularly to support local land use permitting processes, including securing Conditional or Special Use Permits, identifying requirements of local municipalities and counties (e.g., buffer widths, vegetative screening, noise analyses, project design, water quality monitoring, and local storm water review criteria), analyzing variance potential, and working with developers to optimize layouts based on local permitting requirements.

As part of ERM’s planning team you will be leading consulting on a range of environmental, social, and health impact assessment projects to build a sustainable business both regionally and nationally, while networking with ERM\'s global technical teams to share best practices across the industry. This position will focus primarily on environmental impact assessment and federal, state, and local permitting to facilitate the development, construction, and operation of commercial-scale energy facilities and support the low carbon economy transition in the U.S.

Our portfolio of projects is often fast-paced, multi-faceted, and geographically diverse. The position will require a candidate to work independently and to lead teams of subject matter experts, so the successful candidate must have the ability to manage varying priorities and multiple tasks while forging a cohesive delivery team to meet concurrent deadlines on multiple projects. This is an excellent opportunity for an environmental professional looking to advance their career with a global environmental leader and be part of ERM’s continuing growth in the power sector.

Responsibilities

• Manage and perform complex local permitting and compliance efforts associated with renewable energy and tech sector development projects.
• Manage and lead the preparation of permitting documents for energy/industrial facility development, expansion, maintenance, or decommissioning, with a focus on local permitting. Oversee project delivery activities, such as report writing and review, data collection, data and literature review, and developing recommendations for clients.
• Prepare discipline-specific reports (e.g., biological, cultural, noise, decommissioning plans, landscape plans, and stakeholder engagement plans), engineering plan sets (up through 30% designs), permitting documents, and state-level environmental reviews in line with federal, state, and local requirements. Serve in roles ranging from project manager, task manager, technical expert, and QA/QC of deliverables.
• Contribute technical, subject matter or project management expertise on permitting strategies, due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and overall quality control review.
• Prepare technical proposals and participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads, as well as help to expand renewable projects and the team.
• Manage and work within quality/budget/schedule expectations and scope-specific assignments; day-to-day management of projects.
• Interface with clients by leading calls, attending meetings, and providing critical insights to optimize project implementation.
• Collaborate with other ERM practitioners to execute impact assessment and capital project permitting (ERM services include baseline studies, environmental impact assessment, routing studies, land planning, and facility siting & permitting).
• Expand ERM’s profile and market share through existing client relationships, building and deepening ERM’s client base, and delivering high-quality, reliable service.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental studies, environmental management, wetland science, planning, geography, or related natural resources science field; or 8+ years’ equivalent experience.
• 8+ years of project management, licensing and permitting experience, including strong project experience in power.
• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting, including preparation of local permit applications and documents related to renewable energy project development.
• Experience assisting clients in obtaining multi-media permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, Geographic Information System, map interpretation (National Wetland Inventory, U.S. Geological Survey, aerial photography).
• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise technical documents, including presentation of findings to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong organization/analytical abilities; experience recording and writing detailed technical data and reports.
• Ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members with strong people skills, collaboration, and adaptability in a fast-paced environment.
• Driver\'s License Required: valid driver\'s license and/or ability to operate a company vehicle due to frequent travel across a large geographic area (approximately 25%).

Compensation: The Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power (Principal Level) position has an annual base pay range of $115,500 - $148,700 (USD). Actual pay is based on factors including education, qualifications, experience, skills, location, performance, travel, and business needs. Bonus eligibility may apply; casual and flex force employees may have different terms.

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including paid time off, medical/dental/vision insurance, 401(k), and other eligible benefits. (Casual employees and regular employees scheduled under 20 hours a week are not benefits eligible).

How to apply: You can apply for this role through ERM careers or through the internal careers portal if you are a current employee.

Note: No amount of pay is considered wages or compensation until earned, vested, and determinable. Bonus, commissions, or other compensation are at the Company\'s discretion unless paid and may be modified at the Company\'s sole discretion, consistent with the law.

Who We Are: ERM is the largest global pure-play sustainability consultancy. We partner with leading organizations to create innovative sustainability solutions and unlock commercial opportunities that meet today\'s needs while preserving opportunities for future generations.

ERM is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, disability status, or other legally protected characteristics.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes and is not responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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