Senior Vegatation Program Specialist

Deriva Energy•Charlotte, NC

About The Position

Overview Deriva Energy is a leading Independent Power Producer in the US renewables market, with over 6.5GW of operating or under construction wind, solar and storage projects across the country. Formerly the division of Duke Energy, Deriva is now backed by Brookfield Renewable and is poised for dynamic growth across its wind, solar, and storage portfolios. Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. Deriva empowers customers with innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen communities and serve future generations. Position Summary Deriva Energy is seeking a dynamic and talented Senior Vegetation Program Specialist to join our team reporting to the Director of Environment and Permitting. The ideal candidate will be passionate about biodiversity, vegetation management, and ecosystem services with a keen eye for detail and a drive for operational excellence for renewable energy generation. The job requires the ability to work with various internal and external stakeholders. External contact can include interacting (both in written and verbal forms) with renewable energy site managers, landowners, concerned members of the public, regulators, and non-governmental organizations. Internal interactions will include coordinating information between functional groups, preparing vegetation management plans for projects under development, working with construction teams to ensure proper management of soils and stormwater, supporting operational sites with vegetation management contractor performance and long-term biodiversity goals. The job requires the ability to listen and understand the complex constraints of renewable energy development unique to each project and summarize that learning into actionable steps. The ideal candidate has a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. This is a position for an innovative thinker who communicates well and is organized and diligent.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, agriculture, landscape architecture, biology, engineering, or related field
Three (3) years or more of relevant work experience with a focus on development and operations

Nice To Haves

Renewable energy experience or related industry
Five (5) years or more of relevant work experience with a focus on development and operations
Plant identification skills, experience designing and conducting comprehensive vegetation surveys, and demonstrated understanding of integrated vegetation management techniques
Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office tools
Professional with a positive attitude and capable of contributing to a collaborative, dynamic, and team-oriented culture
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and technically accurate materials for permitting and regulatory needs
Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams
Ability to work effectively and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

Responsibilities

Vegetation Management Develop and implement comprehensive internal and external vegetation management plans to support Deriva Energy's development and operational objectives
Coordinate landscaping or vegetation plans for landowner meetings, public meetings, regulatory hearings or other meetings; work with landowners and community members to encapsulate feedback and effect changes in plans around nuisance vegetation, noxious weeds, or landscape screening
Work with the operations and procurement teams to ensure contractor performance for all vegetation management related activities
Biodiversity Work with the Wildlife Program Lead to design and create plans for increasing biodiversity throughout the portfolio
Assist with ESG report preparation
Environment and Permitting Team Support Use insights from industry research, industry engagement, and science-based information to develop process/plans/strategies for enhancing project permitting and environmental stewardship
Present truthful, transparent, science-based information to guide decision making for development, construction, and operations concerns during the internal project review process