Senior Associate, Environmental Compliance and Strategy

Invenergy drives innovation in energy. Powered by decades of entrepreneurial experience and unparalleled execution, we solve the energy challenges facing our customers and communities. We provide power generation and storage solutions at scale around the world to create a cleaner energy future. We develop. We build. We own. We operate. We are Invenergy.

Job Description

Position Overview

As a Senior Associate, Environmental Compliance and Strategy (ECS), you will support the responsible development, construction and operation of utility-scale wind and solar energy facilities across the United States, with a portfolio focused primarily in the Southeast. You will assist Invenergy’s in-house environmental team with environmental due diligence, planning, permitting, and compliance for a dedicated portfolio of large-scale wind and solar projects. To fulfill these duties, you will collaborate with internal project teams such as Development, Engineering, and Project Management. You will also coordinate with external teams such as environmental consultants, state and federal resource agencies, legal counsel, and other stakeholders such as private landowners, and conservation organizations. The ideal candidate will be an organized and collaborative self-starter with a keen attention to detail.

Responsibilities 

• Develop and implement environmental survey and permitting strategies for a portfolio of wind and solar projects in various stages of development, construction, and operations. 

• Support the oversight of consultants advising on and conducting environmental surveys, which includes reviewing proposals, coordinating administrative items, managing survey timelines, and ensuring survey methodologies follow resource agency guidance and comply with project commitments. 

• Under direction, manage internal and external environmental compliance processes that require regular communication with the project team and third parties, and the development of a complete and organized project record to demonstrate compliance with federal and state wildlife regulations. 

• Oversee the development of necessary documents for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and federal and state policies and guidance during project siting, construction, and operations. 

• Assist with federal and state regulatory agency consultation and eNGO outreach. 

• Review technical reports provided by consultants. Reports typically include but are not limited to: habitat evaluations, desktop environmental screenings, threatened/endangered/sensitive species surveys, wetland delineations, avian and bat use surveys, and post-construction monitoring studies. 

• Review the environmental sections of local and state siting/special use permit applications. Assist with the development and review of water resource and threatened/endangered species permit applications.  

• Support the development project marketing materials in response to customer RFPs. 

• Identify and communicate project needs, schedules, and risks across project support teams. Work collaboratively and efficiently with internal teams and external parties (e.g., consultants) to execute project work on schedule, and develop strategies to address environmental-related issues. 

• Under supervision of senior colleagues, guide environmental compliance for projects transitioning from development through construction, including the preparation for civil construction activities and oversight of third-party environmental compliance monitors throughout the 12+ months of construction. 

• Participate in regional and national initiatives, symposia, conferences, and industry groups as needed to achieve Company objectives. 

• Maintain comprehensive knowledge of environmental policy, regulation and compliance that affect permitting and impacts on project siting and compliance. 

Requirements 

• Bachelor's degree  

• 3-5 years in renewable energy or 5+ years in a similar industry with experience managing responsibilities similar to those listed above. 

• Working knowledge of the Endangered Species Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, and Clean Water Act, and the USFWS’s Wind Energy Guidelines and Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance. 

• Experience interpreting federal and state environmental laws, guidelines, and policies, and developing project strategies for compliance with the same, or similar relevant experience. 

• Self-directed, analytical and detail oriented, with the ability and desire to work effectively in a team environment. 

• Ability to act and adapt to a fast-paced business environment with competing deadlines, and quickly learn and implement internal processes. 

• Strong attention to detail, assuring documents and communications are concise and accurate.  

• Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Preferred 

• Experience managing or supporting environmental compliance or inspection of large-scale renewables and/or construction projects. 

• Advanced degree in biological science/natural resources/environmental policy or environmental law degree. 

• Ability to navigate ArcGIS and Google Earth to interpret environmental spatial data and identify potential project risks. 

Benefits

Eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401(k), bonus, paid time off, etc.

Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.