Environmental Coordinator 3

NiSource • Michigan City, MI

4d • Remote

About The Position

Lead environmental planning, permitting, compliance, and regulatory approval efforts for utility infrastructure projects, including electric transmission lines, substations, natural gas facilities, and generation assets. Develop permitting strategies, project schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation plans to support successful project execution and regulatory milestones. Coordinate and manage environmental surveys, technical studies, due diligence activities, consultants, and contractor resources required for permitting and compliance. Serve as the primary company representative with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies, including permit negotiations, consultations, inspections, and regulatory proceedings. Support routing, siting, alternatives analyses, and project design reviews by evaluating environmental constraints, permitting risks, and constructability considerations. Ensure environmental permits, programs, and compliance obligations are properly implemented and maintained throughout project planning, construction, commissioning, and closeout. Monitor, analyze, and interpret environmental regulations, policies, and emerging requirements; assess impacts on business operations and provide guidance to ensure compliance and risk mitigation. Develop, enhance, and implement environmental programs, systems, and continuous improvement initiatives that support regulatory compliance and operational excellence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate environmental, business, and regulatory requirements; support policy, sustainability, compliance, permitting, and remediation initiatives. Prepare regulatory summaries, technical reports, formal agency comments, and other written communications regarding environmental requirements and business impacts. Communicate project status, environmental performance, risks, and compliance matters to leadership and key stakeholders. Support public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community relations activities necessary to advance project objectives. Promote a safe work environment and ensure environmental activities are conducted in a manner that protects employees, contractors, the public, and the environment. Maintain current knowledge of environmental regulations, industry trends, and regulatory processes to support strategic decision-making and infrastructure development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Engineering, Engineering, Planning, or related field.
• Equivalent utility industry experience may be substituted.
• Minimum 7-9 years of progressively responsible experience in environmental permitting, natural resource permitting, environmental planning, or regulatory compliance.
• Demonstrated experience obtaining environmental permits and approvals for major utility, energy, transmission, pipeline, or infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting electric transmission lines, substations, natural gas transmission pipelines, regulator stations, compressor stations, generation facilities, renewable energy developments, battery storage projects, or other large-scale infrastructure projects.
• Experience coordinating with USACE, USFWS, EPA, IDEM, Indiana DNR, state historic preservation offices, and local regulatory agencies.
• Experience managing environmental consultants, technical studies, budgets, and project schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to evaluate permitting risks and develop practical strategies to support project execution.
• Strong written communication skills with experience preparing permit applications, technical reports, agency correspondence, and executive-level summaries.
• Strong working knowledge of: Clean Water Act Sections 401 and 404, National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Indiana environmental regulations and permitting requirements.
• Strong learning agility skills and able to adapt to a consistently changing environment.
• Competent in the use of electronic spreadsheets and word processing software.
• Ability to work cooperatively and build consensus in a team environment and have a strong ability to work with and be a leader in diverse team settings.
• Ability to use professional judgment and work in a self-directed manner with minimal direct supervision.
• Well-developed analytical and communication skills.
• Approximately 5% travel.

Nice To Haves

• Master's Degree in Environmental Science, Natural Resources, Environmental Engineering, Ecology, Planning, or related field.
• Professional certification such as PWS, CPESC, CEP, PMP, or similar credential.
• Direct electric and natural gas utility industry experience.
• Experience supporting FERC, MISO, regional transmission, or generation interconnection projects.
• Experience with GIS, SAP, work management systems, environmental compliance databases, and project management tools.
• Experience managing third party consultants.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental planning, permitting, compliance, and regulatory approval efforts for utility infrastructure projects.
• Develop permitting strategies, project schedules, budgets, and risk mitigation plans.
• Coordinate and manage environmental surveys, technical studies, due diligence activities, consultants, and contractor resources.
• Serve as the primary company representative with federal, state, and local regulatory agencies.
• Support routing, siting, alternatives analyses, and project design reviews.
• Ensure environmental permits, programs, and compliance obligations are properly implemented and maintained.
• Monitor, analyze, and interpret environmental regulations, policies, and emerging requirements.
• Develop, enhance, and implement environmental programs, systems, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate environmental, business, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare regulatory summaries, technical reports, formal agency comments, and other written communications.
• Communicate project status, environmental performance, risks, and compliance matters to leadership and key stakeholders.
• Support public outreach, stakeholder engagement, and community relations activities.
• Promote a safe work environment and ensure environmental activities are conducted in a manner that protects employees, contractors, the public, and the environment.
• Maintain current knowledge of environmental regulations, industry trends, and regulatory processes.

Benefits

• The salary offered to a candidate is based on several factors including but not limited to the candidate’s skills, job-related knowledge, and relevant experience , as well as internal pay equity .

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior