Associate, Land Stewardship

Leeward Energy is hiring an Associate for Land Stewardship in Chicago, IL. The role involves collaborating on land stewardship strategies for renewable energy projects, tracking compliance, and developing Vegetation and Biodiversity Management Plans. Responsibilities include site assessments, data management, and ensuring adherence to environmental regulations. The company aims to expand its renewable energy assets significantly by 2028 while maintaining a commitment to community and environmental stewardship.
LRE (Leeward Renewable Energy) is a high-growth renewable energy company forging a sustainable future through integrity, innovation, and positive impact. We own and operate 30 large wind, solar, and energy storage projects across the United States, totaling over 3 gigawatts (GW) of generating capacity.

LRE has an ambitious goal of 10GW of operating assets by 2028 and are developing and contracting an increasing pipeline of new projects every year. We take a full-lifecycle approach to our projects, built on a long-term ownership model and a company culture dedicated to our community partners and protecting the environment.

Job Summary:

We are seeking a highly motivated associate of LRE's Land Management and Stewardship to join our team. In this role, you will collaborate across functions within LRE to support the development of and implementation of comprehensive land stewardship strategies for wind and solar projects. You will also be responsible for tracking internal compliance of Land Stewardship strategies across the company's portfolio.

You will work with LRE Senior Manager, ESG and the Senior Land Manager to develop strategies in collaboration with project planners to create renewable energy assets that support local communities, incorporate agrivoltaics on appropriate sites, conserve wildlife species habitat, and support or enhance ecosystem diversity and build community trust. This position will work closely with a Senior Land Manager and project planners during the early scoping and planning phases to identify land management constraints, opportunities, and to develop Vegetation Management Plans and Biodiversity Management Plans for each project based on LRE's pre-established templates.

Responsibilities:
• Work directly with Senior Land Manager and project planners during early phases of project scoping and planning to identify site specific constraints, cost, risks, and opportunities for land stewardship implementation.
• Work with Senior Land Manager to develop site specific Vegetation Management Plans and Biodiversity Management Plans for projects in early development phases. Monitor plans throughout development to ensure they reflect the latest guidance, and planners are properly considering plans as projects progress.
• Work with site teams to ensure vegetation monitoring occurs during spring. Occasional site visits may be required throughout the year to train, monitor, and respond to the Land Stewardship tasks.
• Manage vegetation data for each project, create databases to track annual data collection.
• Determine if Chance Find policy and programs are needed at projects. Monitor and report as required.
• Develop annual and quarterly Land Stewardship reporting for each project.
• Identify opportunities for improvements in the Land Stewardship program and create guidance to refine the process and implementation at future projects. Support training opportunities around these efforts.
• Ensure soil samples are collected on project sites, manage sample submittal, and data associated with soil sample collection. Input results in The Soil Inventory Program (TSIP).
• Work directly with Senior Land Manager and environmental compliance to ensure land management requirements are met and land stewardship recommendations are in compliance with all applicable permits.
• Evaluate existing assets for potential land stewardship opportunities with current land managers and lessees.
• Ensure compliance with requirements from various government agencies and oversight bodies. Work with Senior Land Manager, environmental team, and Project Developers/Permitting Team to ensure that all Federal and State permits related to vegetation and biodiversity management are in place and complied with.
• Collaborate with ESG, Public Affairs and Communications to support development of Land Stewardship engagement opportunities that support external communication plan.
• Draft Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) that support execution that meets policies and procedures. Support training on SOPs as required.
• Support to ESG team on sustainability reporting efforts, data management analysis, KPI setting, and storytelling regarding Land Stewardship activities at the corporate and project level.
• Participate in industry association groups.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in rangeland management/science, environmental science, or a related field; or the equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• A minimum of three years' combined experience with vegetation management, land management, data management, and project management.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applying to renewable energy land development and management.
• Working knowledge of land management strategies to enhance ecosystem health and function (i.e., holistic land management techniques, agriculture production and grazing management, hydrology, wildlife biology, soil science, plant physiology, etc.)
• Knowledge of applicable herbicide/pesticide regulations.
• Self-initiator and teamwork skills to collaborate with other departments and senior management to implement land stewardship strategies.
• Knowledge of the renewable energy industry (wind and solar), applicable company policies, procedures, and practices.
• Communication and interpersonal skills to use oral and written communication to relay objectives and plans.
• Demonstrated proficiency using all Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated proficiency managing large datasets and running basic analysis on data.
• Travel required, 20-25%.

Physical Demands:
• Position will require sitting for long periods of time as well as occasionally lifting up to twenty-pound boxes.

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Leeward Management Services, LLC is committed to employing a diverse workforce and provides equal employment opportunity for all individuals regardless ofrace, color, gender, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Notice to Recruiters and Staffing Agencies:Leeward Renewable Energy (LRE) does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiting vendors or employment agencies. Only recruiting vendors with a current, signed agreement in place with LRE are authorized to submit resumes for specific, requested positions. All unsolicited resumes and candidate profiles submitted to LRE, or any LRE employee, without an active agreement or written request from LRE's HR Department, will be considered property of LRE. LRE will not be responsible for any fees or expenses associated with unsolicited resumes or candidates submitted in this manner.