Water Permitting & Compliance Specialist Energy Projects

New Generation Water Permitting & Compliance Support

Location:

6 locations

Candidate will be responsible for working as a fully engaged and integral part of our environmental and project teams to support new generation project diligence and water permitting & compliance aspects of new fossil generation projects & acquisitions. They will provide ongoing environmental permitting and compliance support to generating assets, and may also support water permitting for other company facilities including electric transmission and distribution, service centers, office buildings, and other regulated operations.

The role requires advanced proficiency in water permitting and compliance, knowledge of state rules (preferred within AEP’s operating territory), and strong self‑motivation.

• NPDES permitting (Individual, Multi‑Sector, and General Permits)
• US Army Corps of Engineers permitting
• Section 401 Water Quality Certification
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Section 7 and 10 permitting
• State Historic Preservation Office Section 106 Consultation
• National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
• Species surveys and habitat protection
• Other federal, state, and local environmental permits and certifications

• Conduct due diligence reviews of potential new generation project development sites and facilities for acquisition, prepare diligence reports, identify potential environmental risks, and communicate those risks to team managers, senior management, and other stakeholders.
• Interface with internal team and project developer throughout planning and construction of the new asset.
• Scope and coordinate environmental field studies (e.g., species surveys, habitat assessments, wetland and waters delineations, historic and cultural resource surveys) to support initial site investigation activities and NEPA documentation.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of environmental permit applications, reports, consultations, submittals of applications/modifications, reviews/comments on technical support documents and draft permits, and lead agency permit negotiations.
• Monitor, conduct complex/advanced data analysis, interpret, and prepare summaries or provide technical guidance for existing and new regulations or legislation; comment on proposed regulations.
• Provide permit and compliance support to AEP facilities, assist with facility compliance reviews, training sessions, and compliance audits.
• Serve as an internal expert resource for assigned subject areas.
• Interact and build working relationships with federal and state resource agency staff.
• Lead, facilitate and coordinate work activities of others within the work group, team, department, or external consultants, and assume the role of project manager to perform permitting and compliance work.
• Identify, clarify, resolve, and initiate solutions to complex compliance problems that require multi‑functional or multi‑disciplined analytical techniques.
• Lead in the preparation and presentation of complex technical subjects, clearly, concisely, and persuasively, addressing ancillary issues before senior management, professional organizations, and regulatory bodies.
• Develop and implement standards of work related to the group’s activities and continually seek process improvements.

• Typically 4+ years of related engineering experience and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET‑accredited program, or 2 years of related experience and a master’s degree from an ABET‑accredited program.
• PE registration in any U.S. state or Puerto Rico preferred.
• Availability for overtime, call‑out overtime and shift work.
• Travel: 10‑25% of the time.
• Physical demand:
  Sedentary.

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (non‑ABET) plus a master’s degree or PhD from an ABET‑accredited bachelor’s program.
• Confirmation that a PE obtained in Puerto Rico aligns with NCEES standards.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, chemistry, natural resources, ecology or a related field.
• Minimum of 6 years of environmental experience.
• Registration in recognized associations for environmental…