Managing Consultant, Renewable Energy, Project Management, Senior Biologist

ERM•Portland, OR

3d•$92,500 - $124,300•Hybrid

About The Position

ERM is seeking a Managing Consultant, Renewable Energy, Project Management, Senior Biologist to join their team in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington. This role will lead complex renewable energy permitting projects across the Pacific Northwest, assisting clients in developing utility-scale energy infrastructure that supports the clean energy transition while navigating evolving regulatory requirements and environmental considerations. The role involves serving as a Project Manager and Senior Biologist for renewable energy permitting and environmental review efforts for utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind energy, transmission, and related infrastructure projects throughout Oregon and Washington. The individual will lead multidisciplinary teams, manage project execution, oversee permitting strategies, and help clients achieve regulatory approvals while maintaining ERM's commitment to technical excellence and client service.

Requirements

Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental science, biology, natural resources, anthropology, or related discipline, or 8 years of equivalent experience.
4+ years of experience managing environmental permitting, land use planning, or infrastructure development projects, preferably within the renewable energy sector.
Demonstrated experience preparing land use permit applications and supporting local government approval processes.
Demonstrated project management experience, including responsibility for project scope, budgets, schedules, resource planning, client communications, and commercial performance.
Strong client management, business development, proposal preparation, and relationship-building skills.
Excellent technical writing, communication, and client management skills.
Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams and coordinating technical specialists, subcontractors, clients, and regulatory agencies.
Experience supporting permitting and land use approvals for utility-scale solar, BESS, wind, transmission, or other major infrastructure projects.
Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced consulting environment while managing multiple concurrent projects.
Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) certification with working knowledge of Pacific Northwest wetland and waters delineation and biological resource survey and permitting requirements.
Experience obtaining Oregon and Washington wetland and waters permits, including permitting under State Removal-Fill programs, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and related state and federal regulatory frameworks.
Experience developing wetland, waters, and habitat survey and mitigation strategies and coordinating with state and federal resource agencies.
Knowledge of Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL), Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state and federal habitat mitigation requirements.
Experience working directly with Oregon counties, Washington counties, Oregon Department of Energy, EFSC, EFSEC, planning commissions, or local hearing bodies.
Familiarity with Washington land use regulations, SEPA review processes, and local development permitting requirements.

Responsibilities

Serve as Project Manager for renewable energy permitting projects throughout Oregon and Washington, including utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind energy, transmission, and other energy infrastructure projects.
Manage projects undergoing review through the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC), Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC), county, and municipal permitting processes.
Lead project execution from proposal development through regulatory approvals, managing scope, schedule, budget, resources, and deliverables.
Direct and monitor project management activities, including task delegation, interdisciplinary team coordination, subcontractor management, quality assurance/quality control, health and safety compliance, and commercial performance.
Identify project risks and permitting challenges and develop practical solutions to maintain project schedules and budgets.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.
Ensure technical deliverables meet client expectations, regulatory requirements, and ERM quality standards.
Coordinate with interdisciplinary project teams including biologists, wetland scientists, archaeologists, visual resources specialists, and other technical experts.
Build and maintain strong client relationships that generate repeat business and support growth of ERM's renewable energy practice in the Pacific Northwest.
Lead and/or support development of wetland, waters, and habitat survey and mitigation strategies and coordinate with state and federal resource agencies.
Support coordination with Oregon Department of State Lands (DSL), Washington Department of Ecology, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and state and federal habitat mitigation programs.
Develop Oregon and Washington wetland and waters permit applications, including permitting under State Removal-Fill programs, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, and related state and federal regulatory frameworks.
Support environmental permitting efforts under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Washington State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, and related regulatory programs.