Consulting Director, Renewables (Director Level)

ERM is hiring a Consulting Director for Renewable Energy in Portland, OR. The role involves leading environmental impact assessments and permitting for renewable energy projects across the Pacific Northwest. Candidates should have experience in complex project permitting and technical expertise in environmental reviews. Responsibilities include managing a team, ensuring compliance with regulations, and contributing to business development. This position focuses on supporting the low carbon economy transition.
About the position

ERM is seeking a Consulting Director to join our Capital Project Delivery team for renewable energy and tech facilities throughout Washington and Oregon (and the broader PNW). This role will serve as a people, client, and technical leader for environmental impact assessment and permitting for renewable energy facilities and other major capital development projects including solar developments, technology infrastructure, and onshore wind energy projects. The ideal candidate will have experience permitting complex development projects in the power and/or technology sector along with technical expertise leading environmental, local, state-level, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for large-scale capital projects. This is an excellent opportunity for a career professional to join a growing and exciting technical team, as you build a rewarding career path with a global environmental leader. As a Consulting Director, you will contribute your leadership, client relationship, and technical consulting skills to support the growth of ERM's business and client base in the West while networking with ERM's global technical team and technology experts to share best practices across the industry. This position will focus primarily on environmental impact assessment and federal, state, and local permitting to facilitate the development, construction, and operation of commercial-scale energy facilities and support the low carbon economy transition in the U.S. Our portfolio of projects are often fast-paced, multi-faceted, and geographically diverse with clients developing facilities ranging from onshore wind and solar to offshore wind. The position will require a candidate to work both independently and with teams of subject matter experts, so the successful candidate must have the ability to manage varying priorities and multiple tasks while forging a cohesive delivery team to meet concurrent deadlines on multiple projects.

Responsibilities
• Support and carry out ERM's strategy of focusing on clients, understanding clients' businesses and their needs, and delivering exceptional client value.
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• Manage a team of technical specialists and provide mentorship and guidance for their career growth at ERM.
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• Manage and perform complex permitting and compliance associated with renewable energy and tech sector development projects with an emphasis on local, state, and federal permitting, including but not limited to compliance associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) and regulations of federal agencies such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state-level agencies.
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• Provide technical oversight and QA/QC of deliverables.
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• Contribute technical, subject matter or project management expertise on permitting strategies, due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and overall quality control review.
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• Prepare technical proposals and participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads as well as help to expand our growing renewable projects and team.
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• Manage and work within quality/budget/schedule expectations and scope-specific assignments.
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• Expand ERM's profile and market share through your existing client relationships, building and deepening ERM's existing relationships, and delivering high quality, and reliable service.

Requirements
• Bachelor's or master's degree in environmental studies, environmental management, wetland science, planning, geography or related natural resources science field of study; or 15+ years equivalent experience.
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• 8+ years (12+ years preferred) of project management, licensing and permitting experience, including strong project experience in renewable energy or similar practice across Washington, and Oregon.
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• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting, with the preparation of applications and documents related to the development of renewable energy projects.
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• Experience assisting clients in obtaining multi-media permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities.
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• Experience overseeing and coordinating desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, Geographic Information System, map interpretation (National Wetland Inventory, U.S. Geological Survey, aerial photography).
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• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise and accurate technical documents including presentation of findings to clients, stakeholders, and/or regulatory agencies.
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• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and organization/analytical skills; experience recording/writing detailed technical data and reports.
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• Ability to multi-task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
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• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members - excellent people skills, responsive, collaborative, versatile, effective in a fast-paced environment, and service-oriented.
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• Valid driver's license and good driving record with the ability to travel to project locations as needed (10%).

Nice-to-haves

Benefits
• 401(k)
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• AD&D insurance
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• Dental insurance
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• Health insurance
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• Paid parental leave
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• Paid time off
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• Parental leave