Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist - Environmental

Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist - Environmental

AECOM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist to join our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in the Texas region. This hybrid role can be based out of AECOM's Houston, Dallas or Austin offices.

Our EPP team serves numerous private industry and public utility energy clients, on a variety of energy projects including transmission, grid modernization, and renewable energy developments. In this role you will lead project teams and work with our environmental planning practitioners and technical subject matter experts to prepare environmental documents, with a particular focus on supporting permitting and entitlement work for our growing line of work with energy developers and utilities. Projects range from regional transmission programs and grid modernization efforts to large-scale renewable energy developments and complex, multi-jurisdictional permitting efforts.

This role would involve serving as a seller-doer, responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships, leading pursuits and project teams, and expanding AECOM's energy permitting portfolio in the region.

The responsibilities of this role would include, but are not limited to:

• Lead environmental planning and compliance efforts for energy infrastructure projects, including preparation of NEPA documentation and technical studies, and coordination with state utility regulatory agencies (PUCs/PSCs), including Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to support transmission siting, routing and permitting approvals (e.g., CCN).
• Manage early-stage due diligence efforts for siting energy projects and associated infrastructure.
• Provide project management on mid- to large-sized projects, including developing and tracking project schedules, budgets, invoicing, and coordination with clients, technical staff and subconsultants.
• Work on environmental documents and entitlements related to high-profile infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on energy sector projects.
• Opportunity to support projects across Texas and other U.S. markets leveraging AECOM's national platform
• Contribute to marketing and business development, preparation of proposals, and formulating proposal cost estimates as a seller-doer.
• Providing leadership in mentoring personnel, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback on project tasks.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, or related field.
• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) through preparing PUC and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Ability to travel for agency/client meetings, as needed.
• A valid U.S Driver's license is required for this role.
• Due to the nature of this work, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 10+ years successfully managing permitting and preparing PUC and NEPA documentation, strong understanding of current state and federal regulations and guidance.
• Electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) experience through preparing PUC and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Experience leading NEPA and technical studies and other requirements of projects located on federal lands, such as Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, and Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting.
• Experience leading licensing with the PUCT and/or other state transmission agencies. Experience with expert witness testimony a plus.
• Project management experience on environmental planning projects, including client interaction, schedule and budget controls, and invoicing.
• Demonstrated leadership in proposal development and successful pursuit of competitive bids.
• Experience working in a fast-paced consulting environment, managing and mentoring staff.