Project Manager, Environmental Planning & Permitting

POSTING DEADLINE

This position is posted until filled.

Department:
Environmental Services

This role benefits from a professional who can anticipate permitting challenges, identify pragmatic solutions, and support timely delivery of electric utility projects while maintaining environmental stewardship and regulatory compliance.

Preferred skills include expertise in environmental planning, permitting, and compliance for electric utility infrastructure projects, with strong knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations such as FLPMA, NEPA, NHPA, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and land use requirements. The role requires solid project management experience, including managing complex permitting schedules, coordinating interdisciplinary teams, and developing permitting strategies and risk assessments.

Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills are essential, along with experience preparing defensible technical documents, managing consultants, and reviewing environmental studies. Additional valued skills include understanding electric infrastructure construction practices, familiarity with public outreach and mitigation planning, proficiency with project tracking and document management tools, and the ability to anticipate and resolve permitting challenges while supporting timely project delivery.

Salary Grade: G04
Minimum Midpoint Maximum
$110,004- $148,506- $187,007

SUMMARY
Develops strategy and tactics for and, directs and manages regulatory activities and communications related to, initiating, planning, permitting, managing, and closing multiple medium- to large-scale high-profile projects with complex environmental requirements, stemming from electric resource plans and policies. Directs Company processes relating to environmental matters that immediately affect the Company's business success and earnings, including applications, pending legislation, rule making, compliance reporting, public proceedings and negotiations with outside parties on environmental regulatory matters.

Develops and implements strategies to permit new and significant capital intensive infrastructure additions and major improvements to existing infrastructure.

• Develops and implements strategies relevant to the Company's business and environmental policy objectives
• Develops and implements internal and external stakeholder and permitting tactics to minimize permitting risk while effectively communicating benefits and consequences to stakeholders
• Speaks with the media as requested; promotes PNM's positions with legislators, community groups and regulators in various forums. Permits transitioned projects to achieve project goals and schedules
• Prepares environmental regulatory mandated filings, including federal state and local permit applications and compliance documentation
• Evaluates electric planning documents, uses industry contacts and governmental resources to assess how electric plans can be achieved through management of environmental issues
• Provides realistic time frames for permitting to ensure that resource developments are scheduled with adequate time allowed for environmental compliance activities and stakeholder development
• Prepares and provides testimony, interrogatory responses, and justifications as necessary to support regulatory approval of planning documents
• Monitors and effects the development and implementation of federal state and local environmental and land use plans, regulations, policies and laws to support efficient execution of electric plans and operations
• Coordinates with other PNM internal groups to ensure cohesiveness of PNM's goals with these plans

• Expert knowledge of environmentally related regulatory issues and strategy
• Thorough knowledge and understanding of environmental regulations and laws, including but not limited to:
  Federal Clean Air Act (CAA);
  Regulatory Programs including:
  New Source Performance Standards (NSPS), National Emissions Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), Title V, Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) and New Source Review (NSR) expertise and any applicable regulatory process, procedures and rules
• Thorough understanding of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Clean Water Act (CWA), Oil Pollution Act (OPA) and Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and any applicable regulatory processes, procedures, and rules
• Thorough understanding of the Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWA), Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) and any applicable regulatory processes, procedures, and rules
• Broad understanding of the utility industry
• Ability to understand and implement complex regulatory theories and principles
• High-level of judgment on broad range of issues, creativity, strong problem solving skills, ability to…