Project Manager - Renewable Energy; Solar, Battery Storage, Emerging Technologies-Env Scientist IV

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a highly motivated Project Manager to lead renewable energy projects, including solar, battery storage, and other emerging technologies across California, Nevada, and Arizona. The ideal candidate brings 10+ years of relevant work experience with a bachelor's or master's degree in environmental planning, policy, science, or a related interdisciplinary field and a strong track record serving as a trusted advisor to renewable energy clients and leading the delivery of complex energy initiatives at all stages of the development life cycle.

We are seeking a candidate with excellent strategic thinking and client service skills and the ability to build trusted, long-term relationships. This role is ideal for a collaborative, delivery-focused professional who is eager to grow, contribute meaningfully to a dynamic team, and help advance renewable energy development in the West.

This role is a great fit for someone with a growth mindset who enjoys taking ownership of their work, driving progress, and contributing to the growth of a dynamic and mission-driven team. If you're passionate about shaping the future of energy and delivering meaningful results for clients, we'd love to meet you.

• You bring life-cycle industrial scale energy project experience, including: early-stage due diligence and constraints analysis; land use entitlement, including Conditional Use Permit applications, General Plan Amendments, and Williamson Act cancellations; siting and routing; managing field and desktop environmental studies; identifying potential permit requirements and permitting strategies; obtaining regulatory permits, and facilitating environmental compliance.
• You have a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and a bachelor's degree.
• As a key member of our team, you will manage the scope, schedule, budget, and quality of complex energy projects, ensuring successful delivery for our energy developer clients. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams, jurisdictional agencies, and project stakeholders to guide projects from early planning through implementation.
• You have successfully built and managed small to large, diverse teams to prepare project deliverables on time and within budget. You can effectively communicate with clients as well as colleagues to understand and manage expectations and prepare clear and concise deliverables that align with client expectations. You have intellectual curiosity, leadership qualities, and thrive in collaborative environments that may require innovative solutions to problem-solving.
• A demonstrated leader who communicates proactively, collaborates effectively in multidisciplinary teams, and constructively identifies and resolves project and team challenges.
• You treat colleagues, clients, and partners with respect, empathy, and professionalism.
• Proactively anticipate and mitigate risks to schedule and budget.
• Thrive in a challenging, fast-paced, collaborative environment.
• Strong client-service orientation with the ability to build and maintain long-term, trusted relationships with energy developers.
• Highly organized, with proven ability to manage project scope, develop realistic schedules, and track budgets to keep projects on target.
• Strategic and creative thinker who brings innovative problem-solving approaches to evolving renewable energy needs.
• Clear and effective communicator, both written and verbal, able to collaborate with technical teams, permitting staff, and project partners.
• Proven experience with proposal development and successful project delivery for all stages of renewable energy development projects.
• Comfortable managing complex energy projects that span activities beyond their core technical expertise.
• Experienced in developing detailed, end-to-end environmental permitting schedules, including…