Principal Renewables Energy Land Planner (Mid-Senior Level) at ERM Consulting & Engineering, Inc. in Fairport, New York

Job Description:

ERM is seeking an experienced Principal Land Use Planner/Consultant with consulting experience and established client relationships, to play a key role in our renewable energy business in the Eastern U.S. region.

This position can be remote, if located within one of the following states / districts: NY, MA, RI, CT, PA, NJ, DE, MD, Washington D.C., RI, VA, WV, NC, or SC. If located near an ERM office within one of these states / districts, there is also an option to be based at an ERM office.

The ideal candidate will have established relationships with power generation, electrical transmission, renewable energy projects, mining, oil & gas, technology companies, along with technical expertise leading environmental permitting, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and state-level equivalent reviews, and large-scale capital projects. 

It is preferred and desired that the candidate has experience taking renewable projects through local land use permitting processes, including securing Conditional or Special Use Permits, negotiating conditions within local municipalities and counties (e.g., buffer widths, vegetative screening, water quality monitoring, local stormwater review criteria), securing variances, and working with developers to optimize layouts based on local permitting requirements.

As a senior leader, you will be fully accountable for successfully selling and 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 is a partner-track opportunity for a senior-level professional looking to advance their career with a global environmental leader, and to make a significant impact in successfully implementing ERM's global strategy.

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 are often fast-paced, multi-faceted, and geographically diverse with clients developing facilities ranging from onshore wind and solar to offshore wind. The position will require a candidate to work both independently and with teams of subject matter experts, so 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 renewable energy sector.

RESPONSIBILITIES:      

• Develop and implement strategic business/action plan, provide leadership, and deliver performance results to expand Impact Assessment (IA) service area and client base, ideally the Renewable Energy Sector.  Serve as a key member of the “core” technical team to drive double-digit profitable growth across the IA service lines (environmental impact assessment, land planning, facility siting & permitting, risk assessment and water resources management) in energy sector.


• As a “seller/doer,” contribute to business development of ERM’s global IAP service area. Identify and develop new opportunities, prepare effective technical proposals, and take active leadership role in developing new business with new and existing clients. Develop and expand client relationships that generate repeat business.


• Manage and perform multi-media permitting and compliance associated with renewable energy development projects with an emphasis on local, state, and federal permitting, including but not limited to compliance associated with the National Environmental Policy Act, and regulations of federal agencies such as the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.


• Serve as Senior Technical Director for NEPA and state-level equivalent environmental assessment (EA) and environmental impact statement (EIS) projects and related activities in support of ERM clients’ capital projects (i.e., power generation, electrical transmission, renewable energy projects, mining, oil & gas, technology).


• Manage preparation of discipline-specific reports, Environmental Checklists, EAs, EISs and associated documents in compliance with NEPA and state/local-level environmental reviews and federal, state and local regulatory requirements. Serve in roles ranging from senior project manager, lead technical expert to QA/QC of deliverables.


• Provide business value based on a strong understanding of clients’ needs, and raising the profile of ERM’s capabilities within key client organizations. Lead project teams in achieving client’s expectations for scope, budget, schedule, and quality.


• Lead, manage performance, hire and retain, inspire and mentor personnel for overall success of technical team.


• Meet business health & safety performance standards, financial targets, overall project budgets and schedules, client satisfaction/expectations, and internal risk management and contractual requirements.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree in environmental studies, planning, geography, civil or environmental engineering or related field; JD, CEP, AICP or similar registration preferred but not necessary.


• 10+ years of consulting experience with impact assessments, national/state/local-level environmental reviews, facility siting and permitting, ideally for renewable energy projects.


• Experience with renewable energy development in New York State and implementation of Section 94-C as implemented by the Office of Renewable Energy Siting is highly desired.


• Proven track record in developing and implementing successful business growth strategies with power generation, electrical transmission, renewable energy projects, mining, oil & gas, technology clients.


• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain long-term relationships with clients, and book personal sales in new IA consulting services.


• Solid grasp of the key impact assessment and management issues, as well as a high degree of technical competence and broad knowledge of impact assessment best practices.


• Well-developed teambuilding and influencing skills; unquestioned integrity; and the experience, confidence, and stature to effectively address client and business needs and challenges.


• Positive outlook, collaborative, and driven by the success of ERM as a global company.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter. 

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. 

Thank you for your interest in ERM!