Environmental Intern - Permitting

Westwood Professional Services•Minnetonka, MN

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Environmental Permitting Intern will join a multidisciplinary environmental services team supporting the siting and permitting of utility-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects. Projects range from early-stage constraints mapping and desktop due diligence to complex federal and state permitting efforts for independent power producers, developers, and utility clients. This position offers a direct opportunity to apply environmental science and regulatory coursework to real-world renewable energy development. As an Environmental Permitting Intern, the selected candidate will learn to navigate NEPA, state siting statutes, and local zoning and land use requirements in support of project approvals, and will assist Senior Permitting Specialists in the preparation of permit applications, agency correspondence, and environmental compliance documentation.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program in Environmental Science, Environmental Studies, Environmental Policy, or a related field.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, agency representatives, and project team members.
Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary work environment.
Willingness to attend site visits and perform work in outdoor field conditions on occasion.
Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Relevant industry experience through coursework, research, or prior internships in environmental permitting, land use planning, or renewable energy development.
Experience with GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) or regulatory research tools used in environmental due diligence and permitting.

Responsibilities

Assist in the preparation of federal, state, and local permit applications for wind, solar, and battery storage projects.
Conduct desktop research and constraints analysis using GIS and publicly available regulatory databases.
Support the drafting of environmental documentation, including biological assessments, cultural resource reports, and environmental impact statements.
Help track permitting schedules, agency comments, and compliance deadlines across multiple active projects.
Coordinate with internal technical staff, including biologists, wetland scientists, and engineers, and external agencies to compile permit-supporting materials.
Travel to project sites as necessary to support field data collection and agency site visits.