Lead Land Use Planner - Renewable Energy Permitting

erm; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM seeks a Principal Consultant, Land Use Planner in Portland, OR to lead permitting strategies for utility-scale renewable energy projects across Oregon and Washington.

You will coordinate with agencies, prepare permit applications, conduct zoning analyses, and guide multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliant, timely approvals. AICP preferred; 6+ years of experience; strong writing and client management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Geography, Natural Resources, Public Policy, or related field, or 12 years of equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience supporting permitting and land use planning efforts for renewable energy, transmission, infrastructure, or similar development projects.
• Demonstrated experience preparing land use permit applications and supporting local government approval processes.
• Experience conducting zoning analyses, code consistency evaluations, and preparing findings demonstrating compliance with local and state land use regulations.
• Familiarity with Oregon land use planning requirements, including Oregon Statewide Planning Goals and county development codes.
• Familiarity with Washington land use regulations, SEPA review processes, and local development permitting requirements.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and client management skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced consulting environment while managing multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the development of permit strategies and entitlement pathways for environmental permitting and land use planning efforts associated with utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind energy, transmission, and other energy infrastructure projects throughout Oregon and Washington.
• Lead preparation of county and municipal land use permit applications, including Conditional Use Permits and Goal Exception applications.
• Coordinate with state agencies, counties, municipalities, and special districts to support permitting and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Conduct detailed zoning and land use due diligence assessments for project sites.
• Interpret local development codes, comprehensive plans, and applicable state land use requirements to identify permitting risks and opportunities.
• Prepare code consistency analyses demonstrating project conformance with applicable code.
• Evaluate local permitting pathways and jurisdiction-specific code requirements for renewable energy developments.
• Develop findings of fact and permit application narratives supporting project approvals.
• Support projects undergoing review through the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) and Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) process, including preparation of application materials, Requests for Amendment, compliance reporting, and coordination with Oregon Department of Energy staff.
• Coordinate with interdisciplinary project teams including biologists, wetland scientists, archaeologists, visual resources specialists, and other technical experts regarding permitting.

Skills

Permitting Strategy

Land Use Planning

Regulatory Analysis

Zoning & Code Compliance

Technical Writing

Client Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Environmental Planning/Related Field

Master's degree in Environmental Planning/Related Field

Job description

ERM seeks a Principal Consultant, Land Use Planner in Portland, OR to lead permitting strategies for utility-scale renewable energy projects across Oregon and Washington.

You will coordinate with agencies, prepare permit applications, conduct zoning analyses, and guide multidisciplinary teams to ensure compliant, timely approvals. AICP preferred; 6+ years of experience; strong writing and client management skills.