Director of Environmental Services

Job Description

Electrical Consultants, Inc. (ECI) is seeking a national Director to lead our Environmental Services Practice. This is an exciting and challenging opportunity in the field of environmental services, where your work will help support utility scale energy projects with one of the nation's most respected engineering firms.

ECI specializes in power delivery, communications, and renewable energy. We provide various environmental services, such as routing and siting, feasibility analysis, and permitting, to assist our clients in achieving their project objectives while reducing environmental effects.

As Director of Environmental Services, you will be responsible for the development of project-specific federal and/or state environmental, permitting, and compliance strategies to support the planning, development, and construction of utility-scale infrastructure, including long-distance transmission, generation (wind and solar), and energy storage nationwide.

The Director of Environmental Services will grow and develop the Environmental Services Practice of ECI across the nation. This involves maintaining and expanding client relationships, developing new opportunities, and pursuing strategic partnerships. The Director of Environmental Services will leverage their expertise and successful experience to provide innovative and cost-effective solutions for complex environmental challenges associated with utility scale energy projects.

This position requires expert-level understanding of linear and site infrastructure with expertise to interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental laws including NEPA, ESA, NHPA, and CWA, among others. This may include the application of federal guidelines (e.g. WEGs), policies, and ordinances in the development of innovative environmental compliance strategies for complex projects. You will have the opportunity to work on diverse and innovative projects across the country, as well as mentor and develop staff.

The Director of Environmental Services is responsible for the successful implementation and completion of the following typical tasks, including but not limited to:

• Provide guidance to ECI and EPC Services management, development teams, and others on all necessary regulatory permits required and the process by which these may be most effectively obtained from planning stages to completion.
• Develop and implement public engagement and communication campaigns for high profile, potentially contentious engagements.
• Provide expert witness testimony as required before various regulatory bodies or open court in defense of published findings.
• Participate in business development activities including the development of proposals and cost estimates for new projects, participate in client-facing presentations and management of client relationships while contributing to the expansion of the Environmental Practice.
• Develop innovative permitting compliance methodologies which may include project alternative recommendations to reduce the effective permitting timeline, cost, or risk.
• Identify and communicate project needs, schedules, and risks across project support teams.
• Work collaboratively and efficiently with internal teams and external parties to execute project work on schedule and within budget.
• Review project work scope and contract documents in detail to identify project risks associated with regulatory permitting.
• Author work scope requests, solicit subcontract services, and subsequently review pricing/scope/schedule/contract for utilization.
• Supervise the work of internal staff and external environmental subconsultants, and manage efforts including reviewing proposals, scheduling survey timelines, and ensuring safety and regulatory compliance.
• Review resource reports with critical attention to regulatory standards, data and documentation accuracy, survey objectives, methods, and results.
• Develop strategies to mitigate environmental impacts of projects from project inception through construction.
• Respond to internal environmental-related inquiries in support of project contracting, project financing, and third-party due diligence.
• Coordinate and consult with project related stakeholders including agencies, landowners, special interest groups, or others as necessary including the development of approach and necessary materials.
• Effectively prioritize multiple tasks and make independent decisions that promote/advance the practice, project goals, and objectives.
• Ability to utilize ArcGIS, Google Earth, and other technical resources to interpret environmental spatial data and identify potential project risks.
• Employ a working knowledge of resource avoidance and minimization measures for the development and construction of utility-scale projects.

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in energy project development.
• Demonstrated ability in successful navigation of energy projects through complex…