Associate, Vegetation Management

Invenergy•Chicago, IL

10d•$98,000 - $118,000•Onsite

About The Position

Invenergy is seeking an Associate, Vegetation Management to support its vegetation management program for utility-scale solar, wind, and transmission projects across the Western and Midwestern United States. This role will be involved in all project stages, from development through operations. The Associate will be responsible for developing site-specific vegetation and soil management plans, coordinating pre-construction seeding, overseeing vegetation monitoring inspections during construction, and ensuring contractors meet vegetation requirements and implement adaptive management. This position requires coordination with internal teams (Development, Engineering, Environmental Compliance & Strategy, Project Management, Asset Management) and external stakeholders including consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies. The ideal candidate is a driven, critical-thinking, collaborative self-starter with strong attention to detail and the ability to manage a diverse portfolio. This is an on-site position at Invenergy's office.

Requirements

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in environmental science, ecological restoration, botany, soil science, or related field
2-5 years in vegetation implementation and planning, or land management related position
Familiarity with vegetation identification, soil sample collection, and traditional land management practices
Experience working on vegetation management during construction, coordinating with construction contractors, and collaborating with environmental consultants
Ability to effectively prioritize multiple tasks and make decisions that promote company and project goals
Working knowledge of the EPA’s Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) principles and NRCS conservation practices
Self-directed and detail oriented, with the ability and desire to work effectively in a team environment
Ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive materials, activities, and initiatives
Able 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
Ability to navigate ArcGIS and/or Google Earth to interpret environmental spatial data and identify potential project risks
Flexible to travel to project site visits (up to 25% of time)
Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future

Responsibilities

Direct vegetation consultants on developing project-specific vegetation and soil management plans.
Review developed plans to ensure compliance with state and local regulations, project permits, customer contracts, schedules, and budgets.
Assist internal teams in estimating vegetation establishment and maintenance costs for economic models.
Support permitting efforts by developing vegetation-related language and resources for permit applications.
Present vegetation management plans and practices to landowners and community members during project development.
Oversee construction contractor vegetation efforts and provide training on vegetation management strategies.
Conduct site visits to evaluate vegetation processes during critical establishment milestones.
Provide technical assistance during the operational stage, overseeing consultants and contractors to meet project objectives and budgets.
Support Vegetation Management leadership in reviewing project documents, developing improvements, and formulating forward-thinking strategies.
Engage with industry groups regarding vegetation management and ecosystem services on utility-scale solar projects.