Senior Manager, Environmental & Permitting
About The Position
The Environmental & Permitting Senior Manager is responsible for acquiring discretionary land use and environmental permits and authorizations for SB Energy’s development and construction portfolio of utility-scale energy generation, energy storage, and data center projects across the United States. The role plans and advances local, state, and federal permitting processes and manages project compliance during development and construction. It also supports project financing and successful delivery of project schedules and budgets. The position works closely with cross-functional internal teams and external consultants, regulators, community members, and other stakeholders. It is based in the San Francisco/Bay Area or San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; or Austin, Houston, or Dallas, Texas, with a hybrid work arrangement and up to 30% domestic travel.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, biology, land use planning, ecology, geography, or another relevant field.
- At least 8–12+ years of professional experience.
- At least 5 years of experience supporting U.S. environmental compliance and permitting for energy generation, energy storage, and/or data center projects and associated infrastructure.
- Strong understanding of local, state, and federal discretionary permits and environmental laws, including the CWA, CAA, NEPA, ESA, MBTA, RCRA, and EPCRA, and/or relevant state environmental and permitting agencies.
- Experience obtaining discretionary land use permits and authorizations, including conditional use permits, special use permits, zone changes or amendments, development agreements, general or comprehensive plan amendments, BLM/BIA/DOE rights-of-way, tax abatements, and natural resource permits for relevant projects.
- Experience securing federal approvals.
- Thorough understanding of environmental and wildlife impact avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures.
- Strategic thinking, problem-solving, analytical and planning abilities, and good judgment.
- Ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously.
- Experience working with and developing relationships with permitting specialists, regulators, project managers, environmental lawyers, scientists, planners, engineers, and contractors.
- Expert communication and organization skills.
- Strong sense of ownership over individual contributions and team success.
Responsibilities
- Plan and oversee local, state, and federal permitting processes and manage project compliance during development and construction.
- Prepare, evaluate, or manage the preparation of natural resource surveys, land use applications, environmental impact reports, and other technical reports.
- Assess the practical implications of existing permits and propose permitting strategies.
- Collaborate with Development, Origination, Engineering, Transmission/Interconnection, Capital Markets, Data Center, and other support teams.
- Identify external consultants with relevant local expertise, prepare scopes of work and contract documents, and oversee the quality of their work.
- Support project financing activities.
- Develop and deliver project schedules and budgets.
- Build effective relationships with authorities having jurisdiction, neighbors, local communities, third-party stakeholders, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Travel domestically as needed, up to 30%.
Benefits
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, with 100% of premiums covered by the company for employees and dependents.
- Long-term disability, life insurance, AD&D, and voluntary legal insurance.
- Competitive retirement benefits with a 401(k) company match.
- Generous paid time off and 11 paid company holidays.
- Flexible working arrangements.
- 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave.
- Medical and dependent care flexible spending accounts, plus a transit and commuter FSA with employer contributions.
- Mental health wellness offerings.
- Discounted physical wellness plan and pet insurance.
- Monthly reimbursement for phone, internet, and data.
- Phone equipment purchase benefits.
- Hybrid workplace setup benefits.
- Performance-based bonuses and equity grants may be included in total rewards.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
