Renewable Energy Permitting Lead

Westwood Professional Services Inc • Minnetonka, MN

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About The Position

Renewable Energy Permitting Lead
Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Serve as a Senior Permitting Lead for renewable energy and transmission projects. The key focus of this position will be business development for utility and renewable energy developers and requires that the applicant bring clients to Westwood. The position also requires management of permitting efforts for renewable energy generation and transmission projects.

Requirements

• Knowledge of renewable energy and HVTL transmission line project permitting, federal and state environmental studies, agency guidelines for energy development.
• Experience and knowledge of key energy-producing-state regulatory processes, energy developer and utility operating procedures, industry trends and regulatory initiatives.
• Approximately 10-15 years of experience in federal, state and local energy facility permitting, permitting processes, and associated environmental studies.
• Working knowledge of federal and state regulatory structures, existing renewable energy and HVTL transmission projects and key developers in these markets and industries.
• Proficiency in technical writing including proposals, subject matter reports and permit applications.
• Proficiency with business development and client tracking software, such as Vision.
• Proficiency with project management, budgeting, invoicing, and cost-tracking, including multiple-service projects and cost management.
• Effective written and verbal communication is necessary and independent judgment is essential.
• Mentor and coach permitting and environmental staff on technical writing, agency coordination, regulatory approval processes, and client engagement.
• Bachelor’s Degree in natural resources, policy/permitting, earth sciences, engineering or related field (Master’s Degree preferred).
• Experience with state-level route and site permits in multiple states, federal NEPA process including EA and EIS, and equivalent state-level environmental review processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead site and route permitting for utility-scale renewable energy and high-voltage transmission projects, with a primary focus on Midwest regulatory processes including PSC, MPUC, MPSC, ND PSC, and OPSB approvals.
• Manage and prepare state-level site, route, and construction permit applications for wind, solar, energy storage, and transmission projects, including collocated and data center–related developments.
• Direct environmental reviews under NEPA and equivalent state programs, oversee environmental and cultural resource investigations, and coordinate associated federal, state, and local regulatory approvals.
• Serve as the primary client and agency liaison, representing clients at public hearings and meetings, providing testimony, and maintaining direct communication with regulatory agencies.
• Lead multidisciplinary project teams by coordinating design professionals, subject matter experts, and internal staff, while mentoring junior team members and ensuring quality, schedule, and budget performance.
• Collaborate with market and service leaders to pursue new work, develop scopes, budgets, and proposals, and support marketing efforts for permitting, environmental, and related consulting services.
• Build and maintain industry relationships to monitor renewable energy and transmission market trends, regulatory initiatives, and evolving permitting requirements.

What This Job Offers

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