Renewable Properties is seeking a talented Permitting Associate with one to three years of experience in land use planning, environmental permitting, and land use entitlements. This role will be responsible for assisting in the development and implementation of environmental, land use, and permitting strategies for solar and battery energy storage projects across the US. This position will report to the Development team and work to support Project Developers and Permitting Managers to proactively de-risk DG/community solar facilities and submit them for local land use entitlements and approvals. This position will assist in managing outside consultants, reviewing technical deliverables, and coordinating complete submittal packages to agencies. Additionally, this role will interface with internal and external project partners such as Construction Managers, EPC contractors, legal counsel, and Asset Management. From time to time, this position will also manage development-related diligence for project M&A opportunities.
Responsibilities:
- Support project development team with screening and siting of prospective solar facilities
- Assist with environmental due diligence on M&A projects
- Assist with internal and external coordination for activities to obtain all local, state, and Federal regulatory, siting, and environmental permits and approvals needed to construct and operate the facility in a manner consistent with Company objectives
- Aid in the preparation and tracking of milestone schedules, budgets, and staffing requirements to complete permitting and compliance on assigned projects with an eye toward avoidance and minimization of overly complex permitting requirements
- Assist with preparation and review of applications to agencies; assist with representing the Company's position in hearings and community workshops
- Assist with the management of consultants
- Assist the project public relations strategies; and provide research for siting, land use, wetland, and wildlife permits
- Assist in negotiations with wildlife, land use, and other regulatory/resource agencies to achieve acceptable permit conditions consistent with project and Company goals, schedules, costs, and environmental protection
- Coordinate closely with other internal business partners, including Origination, Project Finance, Construction, and Asset Management to facilitate the successful design, interconnection, construction, and long-term operation of projects
- Assist Asset Management in identifying conditions of approval that require long-term monitoring and performance reporting for compliance
- Assist in monitoring CAPEX expenses during the development of projects, review invoices for accuracy and budget conformance, and coordinate with senior management as needed
- Other duties as assigned
Qualifications:
- 1-3 years experience in land use permitting and environmental permitting
- Proactive communicator and driven to advance team and company goals
- Experience managing budgets and processes
- Rigorous attention to detail, work ethic, personal responsibility, work product ownership and organizational skills
- Strong project management, organizational skills
- Excellent interpersonal, public speaking and influencing abilities coupled with exceptional verbal and written communication skills
- Sophisticated understanding of the environmental, land use, and utility regulatory environment
- Ability to work in a fast-paced business environment
- Effective analytical and problem-solving skills and the ability to resolve time-sensitive issues with precision
- Driven, resourceful and comfortable working in an entrepreneurial environment
- Travel required as needed
- Energy, real estate, engineering, or business-related master's degree is a plus