Environmental Permitting Lead

Jacobs; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Paid time off (PPTO)

Job summary

Jacobs seeks an Environmental Permitting Lead to plan, permit, and deliver electric transmission projects, securing approvals and maintaining regulatory compliance from routing to closeout. You will lead comprehensive permitting strategies, oversee permit applications, and liaise with regulators, communities, and project leaders.

Requirements include a Bachelor's in a related field and 8+ years of experience with complex environmental filings, plus strong communication and leadership skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, geology, biology, engineering, planning, public policy, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience leading strategic environmental permitting, complex agency coordination, and multidisciplinary project teams on linear infrastructure projects.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting to regulatory bodies, clients, and public stakeholders.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and common project-documentation tools.

Responsibilities

• Establish overall permitting strategy, project schedules, and risk-management approaches for major electric transmission projects.
• Lead complex or high-risk environmental permitting matters involving multiple jurisdictions, agencies, or regulatory programs.
• Advise executive project leadership on routing, design, schedule, cost, public involvement, and compliance implications.
• Direct agency engagement and lead negotiations involving significant regulatory, environmental, or stakeholder issues.
• Provide authoritative review of permit applications, environmental analyses, alternative evaluations, and project commitments.
• Anticipate regulatory developments and emerging risks, recommending proactive strategic responses.
• Resolve complex conflicts among technical disciplines, agencies, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Coach and develop permitting staff, establish consistent practice standards, and promote knowledge sharing.
• Support proposal preparation, project strategy, client/agency presentations, and business development initiatives.
• Represent the organization in high-visibility meetings, public hearings, agency inspections, and professional forums.

Skills

Executive communication

Leadership

Regulatory coordination

Stakeholder engagement

Project leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, geology, biology, engineering, planning, public policy, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS applications

Document-management systems

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

We are seeking anEnvironmental Permitting Lead to support the planning, permitting, and delivery of electric transmission projects. This role will help secure environmental approvals and maintain regulatory compliance across project phases, from early routing and feasibility through construction, restoration, and closeout.

Core functions of the job may include

• Lead and oversee comprehensive environmental permitting strategies for complex, large-scale electric transmission projects.
• Direct the preparation, technical review, and submission of major permit applications, technical reports, agency correspondence, and supporting documentation.
• Oversee environmental impact assessments, routing evaluations, field studies, and technical investigations to mitigate project risks.
• Serve as a primary senior liaison with project leaders, engineering teams, regulators, municipalities, and key community stakeholders.
• Maintain oversight of regulatory compliance records, agency decisions, permit commitments, and project documentation.
• Provide expert interpretation of complex environmental regulations and integrate compliance requirements into project execution plans.
• Oversee the procurement, budgeting, and performance of environmental consultants and specialty subcontractors.
• Promote safe work practices and ensure health, safety, environmental, and quality standards are embedded across all project activities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Establish overall permitting strategy, project schedules, and risk-management approaches for major electric transmission projects.
• Lead complex or high-risk environmental permitting matters involving multiple jurisdictions, agencies, or regulatory programs.
• Advise executive project leadership on routing, design, schedule, cost, public involvement, and compliance implications.
• Direct agency engagement and lead negotiations involving significant regulatory, environmental, or stakeholder issues.
• Provide authoritative review of permit applications, environmental analyses, alternative evaluations, and project commitments.
• Anticipate regulatory developments and emerging risks, recommending proactive strategic responses.
• Resolve complex conflicts among technical disciplines, agencies, consultants, and project stakeholders.
• Coach and develop permitting staff, establish consistent practice standards, and promote knowledge sharing.
• Support proposal preparation, project strategy, client/agency presentations, and business development initiatives.
• Represent the organization in high-visibility meetings, public hearings, agency inspections, and professional forums.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, geology, biology, engineering, planning, public policy, or a related field.
• 8+ years of progressive experience leading strategic environmental permitting, complex agency coordination, and multidisciplinary project teams on linear infrastructure projects.
• Proven ability to independently drive project-level permitting strategy and compile complex environmental filings.
• Advanced expertise interpreting complex environmental regulations, permit conditions, technical studies, and regulatory correspondence.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting to regulatory bodies, clients, and public stakeholders.
• Strong track record of managing competing priorities, project schedules, risk mitigation, and stakeholder negotiations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and common project-documentation tools.
• Ability and willingness to participate in site visits, field activities, public hearings, and high-level agency meetings.
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel up to 20% of time, as needed, are required.

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Extensive experience permitting electric transmission lines, substations, renewable-energy facilities, pipelines, transportation projects, or other major linear infrastructure.
• Comprehensive experience navigating complex federal, state, county, and municipal permitting processes.
• In-depth knowledge of NEPA, State Environmental Quality Review processes, Sections 401/404 of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and comparable regional requirements.
• Demonstrated success directing environmental consultants and reviewing technical deliverables for quality and regulatory alignment.
• Experience with permitting databases, GIS applications, environmental constraints mapping, and document-management systems.
• Proven leadership in construction compliance management, permit modifications, agency inspections, or post-construction restoration monitoring.
• Relevant professional registrations or certifications, such as Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), AICP, OSHA training, or similar credentials.

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well-being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full-time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $92,000.00 to $161,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on August 24, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

At Jacobs, we’re partnering across the globe to create the best project outcomes by maximizing the design, digital technology, and support capabilities of our Global Integrated Delivery (GID) teammates. By joining Jacobs, you’ll commit to supporting and engaging with these teams, as we work to build a company like no other.

We value collaboration and believe that in-person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.