Sr./Lead Environmental Permitting Specialist

Urban Grid is a leading independent power producer (IPP) delivering reliable, utility-scale solar and storage solutions to help meet America’s unprecedented energy demand. We develop, own and operate projects that strengthen local economies through long-term partnerships and responsible land stewardship. By integrating agrivoltaics into our land management practices, we enhance soil health, support local farmers and benefit the communities we serve.

With a strong focus on execution and integrity, we are committed to being a trusted domestic energy provider and responsible corporate citizen. Urban Grid is headquartered in Houston, Texas, and operates across the United States with a growing portfolio that includes 12,000 megawatts of development assets.  We continue to maintain our optionality to co-locate with battery storage based on customer demand, ensuring flexibility and responsiveness in our energy solutions.

Since becoming an IPP in 2023, we have successfully brought five solar projects online, begun construction on three additional projects and are actively advancing one gigawatt of capacity into pre-construction. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Job Summary 

The primary responsibility of this position will be to manage the environmental permitting requirements for our portfolio of projects, which includes informing, planning and executing strategic decisions regarding permitting risk; management of environmental permitting applications (local, state and federal); mitigation strategies; and overall regulatory compliance for our projects.  This position is key to Urban Grid’s goals for continued success in developing the highest quality solar generation assets.

Responsibilities

·         Proactively plan, organize, coordinate and manage project-level environmental permitting activities. 

·         Plan and execute early-stage diligence studies and identify environmental permitting requirements and associated timelines; prepare cost estimates and budgets.

·         Manage multiple environmental permitting initiatives in parallel

·         Manage consultants performing environmental surveys and permitting support; evaluate consultant proposals, monitor schedules, track budgets and review consultant deliverables

·         Conduct technical review and QA/QC of third-party consultant field survey reports and permit applications.

·         Represent the Company in meetings with environmental agencies and at public hearings or project open houses

·         Support the environmental permitting group by tracking state and local regulations related to your projects.

Requirements

·         Minimum of 5 years direct relevant experience with preparation and execution of state and federal environmental permits

·         Undergraduate degree, preferably in Environmental Science, Wildlife Biology, Civil Engineering or Environmental Law.

·         Excellent written, technical, data-evaluation and presentation skills.

·         Excellent organization skills, attention to detail and problem solving.

·         Hard-working and able to prioritize a large task load in a fast-paced environment.

·         Self-motivated and ability to work independently.

·         Project management, organizational, and analytical problem-solving skills.

·         Strong work ethic and exceptionally high work standards.

·         Willing and able to travel 10-20% to project sites and/or to agency meetings Location:

·  Hybrid in Houston, Texas (4 days in office, Fridays remote).

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. Visa sponsorship or transfer visas, including H-1B or L-2, are not available for this position.

Benefits

Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid paternal leave, and a retirement plan with matching contributions. Full-time position with competitive compensation package, including bonus.