Permitting Lead Job Locations US-MN-Minnetonka ID 2023-5016 Category Environmental Position Type Regular Division Renewables Overview Permitting Lead Westwood Professional Services, Inc. Westwood Professional Services, Inc.is seeking a Permitting Lead to join our team. Serve as a Senior Permitting Lead for renewable energy generation and power delivery (transmission, distribution, storage) permitting projects. The key focus of this position will be to manage and complete utility-scale permit applications and provide post-permit application filing support to our utility and development clients. The position also requires management of natural resource assessment and permitting efforts for renewable energy generation and transmission projects. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. Duties and Responsibilities Manage projects, clients, and internal staff in preparing state-level site and route permit applications for renewable energy and HVTL transmission projects throughout the U.S. Manage and prepare construction permit application packages associated with site/route permits issued for renewable energy and HVTL transmission projects. Work with internal market and service leaders, senior Westwood staff, project managers, and subject matter experts to pursue job opportunities and successfully execute renewable energy permitting projects. Develop client relationships in pursuit of expanding market presence for permitting and environmental services and other Westwood service offerings. Coordinate with internal corporate resources, direct contact and relationship building with clients and direct regulatory agency contact. Facilitate marketing efforts and proposal preparation for permitting, environmental and other services. Maintain contacts within the renewable energy and electric transmission industries to monitor development trends, regulator initiatives and market forces. Work with internal staff to schedule, manage, and delegate technical work to senior staff-level personnel. Primary technical role to be project management in nature, directing staff key project milestones. Coordinate client-based initiatives for renewable energy and HVTL electric transmission infrastructure projects. Perform a variety of permitting, environmental and regulatory functions including project management, technical report preparation and editing, permit document preparation and editing. Assist with strategic planning for the Permitting and Environmental group, the renewable energy markets, and broader energy and land development markets. Required Experience 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 15-20 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. Must be a supportive of corporate market initiatives. 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. Bachelor's Degree in natural resources, p licy/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. Compensation Range Minimum USD $100,000.00/Yr. Compensation Range Maximum USD $140,000.00/Yr. About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood) Westwood Professional Services Inc. (Westwood) was established in 1972 and has since become a leader in many markets it serves. Westwood is a full-service, multi-discipline professional engineering firm that serves wind, solar, battery storage, EV, power delivery, residential and commercial development, and public infrastructure clients and their projects from over 25 offices across the U.S. In 2023, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #12 and #30, respectively on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood two national 2nd place awards for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #79 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2023. The firm consistently ranks on industry top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement on award-winning projects nationwide. Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training. Equal Opportunity Employer minorities/females/veterans/individuals with disabilities/sexual orientation/gender identity.