Environmental Permitting Lead | Hybrid Work Impact

Jacobs; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 92,000 - 161,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

401(k) plan

Stock purchase program

Unlimited PPTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking an Environmental Permitting Lead to drive permitting strategy for large electric transmission projects. You will oversee applications, lead agency negotiations, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams from routing through closeout.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in a related field and 8+ years of permitting leadership, with strong regulatory interpretation, executive communication, and stakeholder management. Hybrid work model in the U.S., travel up to 20%.

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.
• Proven ability to independently drive project-level permitting strategy and compile complex environmental filings.
• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting to regulatory bodies, clients, and public stakeholders.

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

Environmental permitting

Regulatory coordination

Executive communication

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

Risk management

Microsoft Office

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental science or related field

Tools

GIS

Permit databases

Document-management systems

Job description

Jacobs is seeking an Environmental Permitting Lead to drive permitting strategy for large electric transmission projects. You will oversee applications, lead agency negotiations, and coordinate multidisciplinary teams from routing through closeout.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in a related field and 8+ years of permitting leadership, with strong regulatory interpretation, executive communication, and stakeholder management. Hybrid work model in the U.S., travel up to 20%.