Energy Infrastructure Permitting Unit Manager

The Public Utilities Commission is seeking an Energy Infrastructure Permitting Unit Manager in St Paul, MN. This role involves leading the new EIP unit, managing personnel, stakeholder relations, and overseeing environmental reviews for energy projects. Candidates should have extensive experience in utility regulation, permitting, and supervisory roles. A bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with a master's preferred. Knowledge of environmental processes and effective communication skills are essential.
This position will lead the new Energy Infrastructure Permitting (EIP) unit, providing overarching strategic direction, personnel management, stakeholder management, resource planning and operational accountability. The EIP unit conducts environmental review for proposed energy generation (wind, solar, thermal, nuclear) and energy transportation (transmission, pipeline) projects. It also supports the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC’s) regulatory process and manages review of the public record through dockets. This role will be responsible for managing all facets of the PUC’s permitting activities, ensuring compliance with the new law and adherence to public engagement best practices.

Minimum Qualifications
• Six (6) years of advanced professional-level experience in a utility industry, economic regulation, permitting, environmental review, or government regulatory work.
• Five (5) years of supervisory experience with demonstrated supervisory skills/abilities sufficient to motivate staff and provide leadership to a team, as well as develop the supervisory skills of Energy Infrastructure Permitting unit supervisors.
• Thorough knowledge of environmental review and permitting processes, utility operations and regulations as well as regional and federal energy issues and potential impacts on Minnesota.
• Effective and persuasive written and oral communication skills sufficient to present material to decision makers and be an effective public speaker in formal proceedings and negotiations.
• Ability to comprehend and correctly apply & interpret/analyze complex written material (e.g., complex issues; state statutes, rules and regulations; and other policies and procedures relating to utility jurisdiction).
• Human relations skills sufficient to establish effective relationships with various regulatory agencies and staff (e.g., Public Utilities Commissioners, Executive Secretary, Regulatory Unit Supervisors, Attorney General staff, Minnesota electric and natural gas utility companies, project developers, stakeholders, and the MN legislature).
• Ability to keep abreast of changes in environmental review and permitting, utility regulation, related fields of energy, and public involvement.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or related field may substitute for one year of experience.
• Master’s degree in Public or Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or relevant field may substitute for 18 months of experience.

Preferred Qualifications
• Master's degree in Public or Business Administration, Environmental Sciences, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or related field.
• Experience with Native American governments, sovereignty, treaties, laws, and policies that impact their community.
• Experience working with consultants and managing contracts.
• Knowledge of state and federal agency requirements, applicable regulatory laws, rules and issues to prioritize issue workload, provide technical guidance, evaluate project status, coordinate policy development, evaluate alternative actions and communicate relevant information.
• Experience working on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion or experience working with marginalized communities.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a reference check and background screening.