Head of Permitting

Brunel; California (MO); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Opportunity to influence local energy policies

Collaborative work environment

Job summary

An energy development firm is seeking a strategic leader for environmental permitting of utility-scale solar and battery storage projects in California. The successful candidate will ensure compliance with environmental regulations like CEQA and NEPA while managing relationships with key agencies. This role offers the opportunity to impact local communities positively through responsible permitting practices and collaboration across teams.

Qualifications

• 8-10+ years of experience in permitting large-scale solar and battery energy systems.
• Established relationships with regulators in California.
• Ability to travel within California and other locations.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting for solar and battery storage projects.
• Ensure compliance with environmental laws during construction and operations.
• Collaborate across disciplines to influence critical decisions.

Skills

Expertise in CEQA

Expertise in NEPA

Environmental compliance

Strong relationships with regulatory agencies

California environmental regulations knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science or related field

Job description

We are seeking a strategic and seasoned leader to spearhead environmental permitting across a portfolio of high-quality utility-scale solar and battery storage projects. This role will lead the team responsible for acquiring environmental permits for early and mid-stage development assets and ensuring ongoing compliance with environmental permits, laws, regulations, and standards during construction and operations for late-stage assets. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in CEQA, NEPA, CESA, and strong relationships with key agencies, plus local government affairs experience.

Key Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Political Science/Government, Geography, Geology, Hydrology, Economics, or a related field.
• 8-10+ years of experience permitting large-scale solar and battery energy storage systems (BESS) development assets, with a strong track record in California.
• Deep knowledge of CEQA, NEPA, CESA, CFGC 1600, AB205, and related environmental laws and regulations.
• Established relationships with regulators and agency staff in California (e.g., BLM, CDFW, CEC) and county governments; familiarity with AB205 is a plus.
• Ability and willingness to travel within California and to other locations as needed.

Why Join

• Lead a pivotal function in advancing clean energy assets and responsibly balancing project viability with environmental stewardship.
• Collaborate across disciplines and influence critical decisions at the organization level.
• Opportunity to impact local communities and natural resources through thoughtful permitting and compliance practices.

If you’re ready to drive permitting excellence and lead a dynamic team at the intersection of energy, policy, and community engagement, we’d love to hear from you.