DescriptionTitle: Permitting Specialist
Department: Estimation/Preconstruction
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Director of Pr oject Control
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time
Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid
PERMITTING SPECIALIST
SUMMARY
The Permitting Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring the successful development and implementation of our solar projects by identifying , managing, and coordinating all requirements to secure project permits. This individual will be responsible for obtaining permits from local, state, and federal agencies, with a focus on environmental, building, grading, stormwater, driveway, and other ministerial permits. As a key member of the EPC management team the, Permitting Specialist is expected to draw upon fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead all project permitting efforts in support of the successful build out of our EPC C Utility scale ground mount PV and ESS p ower pl ants .
The Permitting Specialist will report to Director of Preconstruction of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another senior management personnel that the CEO of the Company may d esignate . This position is hybrid, based out of our Houston, TX office, requiring up to 4 days per week in the office. Standard w orking hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This position is expected to travel up to 2 0% .
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
• Leadership
- Lead and manage permitting efforts on multiple preconstruction projects through the preconstruction life-cycle fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment across all internal departments.
- The Sr. Permitting Manager will be the leader responsible for all permitting efforts and will lead a team of permitting managers across all projects.
- Lead a team of consultants that aid in all of the permitting tasks within a project.
• Permit Identification
- Develop a project specific permitting matrix for each project that identifies all applicable permits needed by the EPC to conduct the work.
- Review Owner provided permitting matrix to ensure accuracy to our understanding of the needs for the project.
- Review and comment permitting exhibits and related language within the EPC Agreement to ensure the scope and DOR are inline with Contractors expectations.
• Permit Management
- Once the project permits are identified manage the process for obtaining such applicable permits.
- Generate a clear understanding of the permitting process for each individual permit including cost and associated schedule/timing requirements.
• Permitting Coordination
- Coordinate with the Owner on permitting needs and any other support that Contractor would need to provide to Owner in order to obtain use permits.
- Coordinate and consult with the project engineer of record and internal engineering team to understand the permitting requirements and any design constraints applicable to each permit.
- Hire and communicate with consultants to ensure project needs are met.
- Communicate directly with our internal environmental team to coordinate on specific environmental permitting requirements.
- Liaise with all internal stakeholders including the project management, project controls, and estimation teams to inform them on cost and schedule impacts that permitting has on the project.
• Compliance, Documentation, and Risk Assessments
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and permit conditions throughout the project lifecycle.
- Prepare and submit permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and other required documentation to regulatory agencies.
- Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential permitting challenges and develop mitigation strategies accordingly.
• Regular attendance, in accordance with the company's attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.
• Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
• Bachelor's degree in a related field is preferred;
• Graduate degree in a related field is highly preferred;
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in permitting management for large-scale renewable energy projects, preferably in the solar industry;
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal permitting regulations and processes.
• Proven track record of successfully obtaining permits for complex projects within strict timelines;
• Have insight to highlight key risk factors and provide and deliver best EPC cost estimates related to permitting;
• Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;
• Ability to manage and lead large technical organizations, including significant experience managing consultants;
• Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization;
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;
• Strong team player with high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times;
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally;
EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS
- Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
- Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
- Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
- Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
- Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
- Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
- Travel: up to 2 0% as need ed
EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT
- Regular professional, office business setting
- Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
- Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
- Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department
