Principal Technical Consultant, Permitting

ERM is seeking a Principal Technical Consultant, Permitting to assist with current client development, new business development, and industry awareness. This position will focus on energy projects with responsibility for advancement of baseline studies and permitting with energy clients. The position will require a background in biology and an understanding of the complexities of energy and environmental policy.

The preferred work location is Minneapolis, MN.

The successful candidate will engage in the development of multiple clients concurrently and have responsibility for cultivating new business by identifying project opportunities and conducting client outreach.  The principal will work collaboratively with ERM teams/partners to provide industry-leading service to a portfolio of clients principally operating primarily in the Midwest, but throughout North America; actively participate in industry working groups related to potential or proposed policy changes or new initiatives; and be aware of market conditions and industry trends. 

Projects are often fast-paced, multi-faceted, and geographically diverse. The successful candidate must be capable of managing varying priorities to provide high-quality project deliverables completed on time and within budget.  The candidate will need to demonstrate initiative, critical thinking, and creativity to generate ideas for research questions, work approaches, presentation of information, and issue resolution.

This is an excellent opportunity for an environmental professional looking to advance their career with a global environmental leader and expand ERM’s team in the capital project delivery service line, with opportunities to support renewables, transmission line, midstream, and mining projects. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide technical support to and potentially manage large and complex projects, either single or multi-site, on time and to budget including elements such as scope and delivery requirements, budgeting, resourcing, planning, coordinating field and other technical work, and managing health, safety and risk aspects.
• On a project-basis, act as client point of contact, lead an inter-disciplinary team that will support and assist with environmental impact assessment and regulatory permitting (e.g., baseline studies, facility siting and routing studies, land use planning, mitigation), as well as environmental compliance services during construction, commissioning, start-up, and operations.
• Generate technical proposals, identify new leads, and participate in business development with existing clients.  Maintain client relationships to support repeat business.
• Lead and coordinate wetland and biological surveys.
• Lead strategic meetings with regulatory agencies to address regulatory and/or legislative requirements such as state siting review applications/processes.
• Engage with key regulatory agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, Environmental Protection Agency, Federal land management agencies, and State Historic Preservation Offices.
• Contribute technical, subject matter or project management expertise on environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and overall quality control review.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Environmental Studies, Planning, Geography, Civil or Environmental Engineering, Geology, or related natural resources science field of study.
• At least 8 years (15 years preferred) of environmental impact assessment and natural resources permitting experience on power, renewable and natural gas projects, including consulting for private-sector clients.
• Experience as a lead wetland delineator and survey for threatened and endangered species.
• Working knowledge of key natural resource regulations, including the National Environmental Policy Act, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 10 of the Rivers and Harbors Act, Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act, and Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act.
• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting.
• Strong working knowledge of MS Office Suite software.
• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise and accurate technical documents.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work both independently and as a collaborative member of a project team.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills, which include being comfortable and effective at communicating complex technical knowledge and concepts to other staff, clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.

For the Principal Technical Consultant, Permitting position,