Mid-level Environmental Planner - Transmission focus

AECOM•Columbus, OH

4d•$90,000 - $115,000•Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM has an exciting opportunity for a Mid-level Environmental Planner - Transmission focus to join our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in the Midwest region. This hybrid role offers flexibility and can be based in AECOM’s Indianapolis, Chicago, Columbus, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, or Detroit offices, with consideration also given to candidates across the Upper Midwest. AECOM's EPP team serves numerous private industry and public utility energy clients, on a variety of energy projects including transmission, grid modernization, and renewable energy developments. In this role you will lead or support project teams and work with our environmental planning practitioners and technical subject matter experts to prepare environmental documents, with a particular focus on supporting permitting and entitlement work for our growing line of work with energy developers and utilities. Projects range from regional transmission programs and grid modernization efforts to large-scale renewable energy developments and complex, multi-jurisdictional permitting efforts. This role would involve serving as a seller-doer, responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships, leading pursuits and project teams, and expanding AECOM's energy permitting and environmental planning portfolio across the Midwest and supporting strategic growth initiatives throughout the U.S.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, geography, natural resources, engineering, or a related field.
4 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) through supporting the preparing state utility permitting applications, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
Ability to travel for agency/client meetings, as needed.
A valid U.S Driver's license is required for this role.
Due to the nature of this work, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Nice To Haves

6+ years successfully managing or supporting permitting and preparing state utility commission and related documentation, strong understanding of current state and federal regulations and guidance.
Electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) experience through preparing or supporting state utility commissions documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting, as well as NEPA documentation.
Experience with complex transmission and renewable energy permitting programs, including permitting, agency negotiation, and multi-state routing effort.
Experience with transmission permitting, routing, and certificate proceedings before state utility commissions and public service commissions within the Midwest or other U.S. jurisdictions.
Experience supporting regulatory hearings or expert witness testimony is a plus.
Project or deputy project management experience on environmental planning projects, including client interaction, schedule and budget controls, and invoicing.
Experience supporting client development, proposal preparation, and/or business development pursuits.
Experience in managing or supporting environmental planning or permitting projects, including scope, schedule, budget, and client communications.
Experience in proposal development.
Experience working in a fast-paced consulting environment, managing and mentoring staff.

Responsibilities

Lead or support environmental planning and compliance efforts for energy infrastructure projects, and coordination and filings with state utility regulatory agencies and public service commissions to support transmission siting, routing, permitting, and certificate approval processes across Midwest jurisdictions, especially within MISO, PJM, and SPP regions. Will include preparation of technical studies and NEPA documentation.
Manage early-stage due diligence efforts for siting energy projects and associated infrastructure.
Provide project management on small to mid-sized projects, and support large-sized projects, including developing and tracking project schedules, budgets, invoicing, and coordination with clients, technical staff and subconsultants.
Work on environmental documents and entitlements related to high-profile infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on energy sector projects.
Support projects across the Midwest and other U.S. markets by leveraging AECOM's national technical and project delivery platform.
Contribute to marketing and business development, preparation of proposals, and formulating proposal cost estimates as a seller-doer.
Mentor and develop junior and mid-level staff by reviewing work products, providing technical guidance, and supporting career development.