10-15 years of experience in energy facility permitting and environmental studies.
Bachelor's Degree in a related field; Master's Degree preferred.
Deep knowledge of federal and state renewable energy permitting processes.
Understanding of regulatory procedures in energy-producing states and utility operations.
Proven technical writing skills for proposals, reports, and permit applications.
Sales and client management proficiency, including familiarity with software like Vision.
Experience mentoring staff in technical writing and regulatory processes.
Responsibilities
Lead site and route permitting for utility-scale renewable energy and high-voltage transmission projects focused on the Midwest.
Manage and prepare permit applications for wind, solar, and energy storage projects.
Oversee environmental reviews and coordinate regulatory approvals with federal and state agencies.
Act as the primary liaison for clients, agencies at hearings, and provide testimony.
Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams and mentor junior staff on permitting efforts.
Collaborate with leaders to pursue new projects, develop scopes, and support marketing efforts.
Build and maintain relationships to monitor industry trends and regulatory changes.
Benefits
A culture dedicated to relationship-building and collaborative teamwork.
Opportunities for professional growth and development.
Recognition as a top firm in the industry, contributing to a strong reputation.
Commitment to safety, sustainability, and community engagement.
Full Job Description
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Renewable Energy Permitting Lead
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.
Serve as a Senior Permitting Lead for renewable energy and transmission projects. The key focus of this position will be business development for utility and renewable energy developers and requires that the applicant bring clients to Westwood. The position also requires management of permitting efforts for renewable energy generation and transmission projects.
Requirements
Lead site and route permitting for utility-scale renewable energy and high-voltage transmission projects, with a primary focus on Midwest regulatory processes including PSC, MPUC, MPSC, ND PSC, and OPSB approvals.
Manage and prepare state-level site, route, and construction permit applications for wind, solar, energy storage, and transmission projects, including collocated and data center-related developments.
Direct environmental reviews under NEPA and equivalent state programs, oversee environmental and cultural resource investigations, and coordinate associated federal, state, and local regulatory approvals.
Serve as the primary client and agency liaison, representing clients at public hearings and meetings, providing testimony, and maintaining direct communication with regulatory agencies.
Lead multidisciplinary project teams by coordinating design professionals, subject matter experts, and internal staff, while mentoring junior team members and ensuring quality, schedule, and budget performance.
Collaborate with market and service leaders to pursue new work, develop scopes, budgets, and proposals, and support marketing efforts for permitting, environmental, and related consulting services.
Build and maintain industry relationships to monitor renewable energy and transmission market trends, regulatory initiatives, and evolving permitting requirements.
Skills and Qualifications:
Knowledge of renewable energy and HVTL transmission line project permitting, federal and state environmental studies, agency guidelines for energy development.
Experience and knowledge of key energy-producing-state regulatory processes, energy developer and utility operating procedures, industry trends and regulatory initiatives.
Approximately 10-15 years of experience in federal, state and local energy facility permitting, permitting processes, and associated environmental studies.
Working knowledge of federal and state regulatory structures, existing renewable energy and HVTL transmission projects and key developers in these markets and industries.
Proficiency in technical writing including proposals, subject matter reports and permit applications.
Proficiency with business development and client tracking software, such as Vision.
Proficiency with project management, budgeting, invoicing, and cost-tracking, including multiple-service projects and cost management.
Effective written and verbal communication is necessary and independent judgment is essential.
Mentor and coach permitting and environmental staff on technical writing, agency coordination, regulatory approval processes, and client engagement.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in natural resources, policy/permitting, earth sciences, engineering or related field (Master's Degree preferred).
Experience with state-level route and site permits in multiple states, federal NEPA process including EA and EIS, and equivalent state-level environmental review processes.
Salary Description
$85,000-130,000
About Westwood Professional Services
Westwood Professional Services is a multi-disciplined surveying and engineering firm that provides services for residential and commercial development, wind and solar energy, power delivery, and oil and gas pipeline projects. The company was founded in 1972 and is headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Westwood has over 500 employees and operates in several states across the United States.
