Environmental Director

Nscale•Houston, TX

4d•$160,000 - $270,000

About The Position

Nscale is seeking an Environmental Director to lead environmental permitting for site selection and power development across its Power & Energy assets, beginning with the Monarch campus in West Virginia. The role reports to the SVP, Development and owns key land-use and water permits that enable development and construction, including Clean Water Act Sections 404 and 401 permits, NPDES and construction stormwater permits and SWPPPs, as well as related species and cultural-resource consultations. The Director will lead environmental studies and supporting consultants and serve as Nscale’s senior environmental representative to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, state environmental agencies, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State Historic Preservation Offices. The Director will coordinate closely with Nscale’s Permitting team on air permitting and with Legal on permit terms and regulatory risk. After permits are issued, the Director and team will support site, construction and operations teams with compliance for the specific permits obtained, including conditions, monitoring, reporting, modifications and renewals. The position also leads the environmental team, sets priorities and budgets across sites, and advises leadership on environmental risks and regulatory developments. Regular travel to sites is expected, with substantial time in West Virginia during Monarch construction.

Requirements

15+ years of environmental permitting experience for energy, industrial or large infrastructure projects.
Direct responsibility for Section 404 and 401 permitting, NPDES and construction stormwater permitting, and associated species and cultural-resource consultations.
Demonstrated working relationships with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and state environmental agencies responsible for water and land-use permitting.
Managed environmental teams and consultant programs with multi-million-dollar budgets.
Deep knowledge of Clean Water Act Sections 401, 402 and 404; the Corps regulatory program; state water and stormwater programs; the Endangered Species Act; and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106.
Working knowledge of wetland and stream delineation, species surveys and cultural-resource surveys sufficient to scope and review consultant work.
Understanding of pipeline, power plant and large-site construction practices and how environmental controls fit into them.
Credibility with regulators, directness with consultants, and clear communication with executives.
Sound judgment in deciding when to hold a position and when to resolve an issue; ability to keep issues from escalating.
Ability to build practical programs and hold people accountable to them.
Willingness to travel regularly to sites, with substantial time in West Virginia during Monarch construction.

Nice To Haves

Relationships with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and State Historic Preservation Offices.
Experience screening and permitting multiple sites or a portfolio, including site-selection support.
Experience in West Virginia, Ohio or Pennsylvania, or with the Corps districts and state agencies serving those states; experience in other regions where Nscale may build is also a plus.
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, biology or a related field; Professional Wetland Scientist, PE or similar credentials.
Experience with NEPA reviews and federal permitting for linear projects.
Experience with brownfield or industrial-redevelopment sites.
Experience supporting state legislative or regulatory policy initiatives.
Experience with environmental aspects of data centre development, including water, cooling and noise.

Responsibilities

Lead environmental screening and constraints analysis for candidate sites, routes and expansions, and advise on site selection and layout to avoid or minimize impacts.
Set permitting strategies and schedules for each site and integrate them with development, design and construction milestones.
Own preparation and submittal of Clean Water Act Section 404 permits, Section 401 water quality certifications, NPDES and construction stormwater permits and SWPPPs, and related state land-use and water approvals.
Lead Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 consultations, including survey scoping, seasonal restrictions and mitigation.
Develop mitigation strategies and negotiate permit conditions.
Own relationships with relevant federal and state agencies and represent Nscale in pre-application meetings, site visits, public notice and comment processes, and hearings.
Select and manage environmental consultants and laboratories for delineations, surveys, studies and permit applications, and ensure work meets scope, schedule and quality expectations.
Coordinate with the Permitting team on air permitting and with Legal on permit terms and regulatory risk.
Support site, construction and operations teams with compliance for obtained permits, including condition tracking, monitoring, reporting, inspections, modifications and renewals.
Support responses to agency inspections, notices and enforcement matters concerning those permits, and lead root cause analysis and corrective action with site teams.
Lead and develop the environmental team, including compliance and studies; set priorities, budget and reporting across sites.
Advise leadership on environmental risk, regulatory developments and agency positions affecting site selection and schedule.

Benefits

Highly competitive package with base salary and equity, with reviews every 12 months.
Potential eligibility for bonus, equity and/or commission programs.
Potential competitive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, flexible paid time off, parental leave and retirement plan participation.
Collaborative, supportive and innovative work environment.
Dynamic progression plan and support for professional growth.

Stand Out From the Crowd

Upload your resume and get instant feedback on how well it matches this job.

Upload and Match Resume