Environmental Permitting Manager

Summary

Join Clearway Energy Group as the Manager, Environmental Permitting, leading and directing permitting and environmental survey activities for a 10 GW renewable energy project pipeline. You will provide technical expertise, develop permitting strategies, manage external consultants, and conduct due diligence on pre-construction projects. Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with regulations and secure necessary approvals. This remote-friendly role, preferably based in Denver, CO, or Houston, TX, requires at least five years of relevant experience in the renewable energy industry. The successful candidate will possess strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in natural sciences, land use planning, or related field
• At least five years of experience in the energy/utilities industry or closely related sectors
• Experience in leading the acquisition of land use permits (including conditional use permits, special use permits, and zoning amendments), and environmental approvals and permits pursuant to state and/or federal law
• Experience with federal permit processes including Section 106 NHPA, Section 7 and 10 Endangered Species Act, and BLM and/or Forest Service Right-of-Way Grants
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of survey and permit requirements for the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines, Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance, and Eagle Take permits
• Demonstrated experience navigating complex, multi-faceted discretionary permitting processes related to wind/solar development, particularly projects with biological resource constraints
• Demonstrated experience navigating the federal Endangered Species Act and pursuing incidental take authorization for listed species
• Demonstrated experience managing or preparing eagle conservation plans, bird and bat conservation strategies, and firsthand experience navigating informal and formal consultations with USFWS concerning federally protected species such as eagles and bats as well as other candidate species or species of concern, such as the lesser prairie chicken and/or sage grouse
• Successful financing of projects, addressing due diligence concerns related to environmental permitting as they arise
• A thorough understanding of environmental mitigation requirements, and experience implementing cost-effective mitigation strategies
• Knowledgeable in changes to state and federal regulations, particularly the Endangered Species Act, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and Nationwide Permit Program, and ability to develop a permitting strategy with consideration to a project schedule
• Understanding of diverse forms of renewable electrical power generation technologies (e.g., PV, wind, battery storage)
• Strategic thinker with demonstrated in-depth knowledge and understanding of environmental regulations
• Experience in managing consultants and influencing internal stakeholders
• Able to summarize complex issues and identify opportunities or next steps with limited guidance
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, as well as strong analytical skills and the ability to work independently as well as in multi-disciplinary teams, are required
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate and think creatively in addressing issues with agencies
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills
• The ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously
• Candidates for this position will be motivated self-starters who can work both independently and as part of a team
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately 20% as required

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for a pre-construction development portfolio (10 GW) of utility-scale generation solar, wind, and energy storage projects in central regions of the United States to ensure that projects obtain necessary discretionary entitlements and agency approvals and complete necessary diligence and survey activities in compliance with state and federal regulations that are required prior to commencing construction and achieving financial close
• Develop a strategy with respect to discretionary permit processes and environmental compliance, including the schedule and budgets associated with those activities
• Manage the entitlement process with local, state, and federal government authorities, including day-to-day interaction with city and county planning boards and state and federal permitting agencies
• Manage a network of external consultants in the scoping of biological and cultural surveys and the preparation of diligence documents, including legal counsel for permit opinions and guidance
• Careful review of documents critical to a successful permitting and financing process
• Work collaboratively with and be responsive to requests from internal colleagues. Coordinate with and solicit feedback from a network of internal colleagues who are geographically dispersed, in the preparation of land use permit applications and environmental documents
• Conduct due diligence on pre-construction, and project acquisition opportunities, including evaluating accuracy, adequacy, and implications of permits, environmental assessments prepared pursuant to local/state/federal regulations, Phase I ESAs, biological and cultural resource assessments, wetland delineations, and land use restrictions
• In partnership with the development team, review zoning, floodplain, biological resources, wetlands, permitting fees, entitlement processes, and other site-specific considerations to support early project development
• Support the resolution of land development-related issues that arise during financing, including ensuring that projects comply with lender and tax equity requirements for discretionary permits and land use
• Support the implementation of creative project development approaches that reduce exposure to permitting risks, minimize permitting requirements, and/or optimize development schedules
• Evaluate and propose solutions that may arise from various stakeholder concerns during the entitlement process
• Track and engage with advocacy groups to leverage industry support to address streamlined and efficient permitting in the Western US

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred
• Prior project development experience in wind and/or solar is strongly preferred
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and similar state environmental processes
• State licensing processes (i.e. Certificate of Public Necessity and Convenience, Energy Facility Siting Council processes)
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Bald and Golden Eagle Act (BGEPA)
• USFWS and state endangered species protection policies and programs, including incidental take permits pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and/or state equivalent
• Section 404 Nationwide Permit Program, Section 401 Water Quality Certifications, Section 10 Rivers and Harbors Act, and state-jurisdictional wetlands permitting
• Agricultural contracts, including the Conservation Reserve Program

Benefits

• This role is eligible to earn an annual cash bonus, subject to personal and company performance goals
• This role is open to remote work, but the preferred locations are Denver, CO, or Houston, TX
• Generous PTO
• Medical, dental & vision care
• HSAs with company contributions
• Health FSAs
• Dependent daycare FSAs
• Commuter benefits
• Relocation
• A 401(k) plan with employer match
• A variety of life & accident insurances
• Fertility programs
• Adoption assistance
• Generous parental leave
• Tuition reimbursement
• Benefits for employees in same-sex marriages, civil unions & domestic partnerships