Manager Environmental Permitting

Northwestern Energy; Butte (MT); Hybrid; USD 105,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match up to 4%

Healthcare including dental and vision

Health Savings Account (HSA)

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Job summary

NorthWestern Energy seeks a Manager Environmental Permitting to lead the environmental permitting staff and support multiple departments with permitting and compliance across Montana. You will manage permit applications from Federal, State, Local and Tribal agencies for siting projects throughout the service area.

The role requires coordinating with agencies, preparing documentation, interpreting permitting requirements, and guiding multi-disciplinary teams.

Qualifications

• Five years of experience in environmental permitting of energy supply and delivery facilities preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting federal and state environmental policy, regulations and permitting.
• Ability to coordinate with agencies, stakeholders and the public on permitting requirements.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise for environmental permitting and project siting activities.
• Prepare environmental permitting and compliance documentation.
• Interpret environmental permitting requirements and analyze project impacts.
• Coordinate with public and agency contacts including involvement in public meetings.
• Coordinate internal training on environmental permitting requirements.
• Coordinate internal and external resources and contractors as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Coordinate and evaluate Environmental Impact Statements and related activities.

Skills

Interpersonal communication

Relationship building

Project management

Safety awareness

Organizational skills

Public meeting coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or environmental science

Tools

ESRI ARCGIS

Microsoft Office

Job description

Manager Environmental Permitting

Work Location: Butte, MT Preferred; other major office locations in Montana may be considered

Pay range: $105,100 to $157,700 per year

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

About this position:

The Manager of Environmental Permitting oversees the environmental permitting staff and provides support to multiple NorthWestern Energy Departments with environmental and special use permitting and compliance. Work tasks include but are not limited to planning, development, and management of permit applications from multiple Federal, State, Local and Tribal agencies for construction and siting projects across the service territory.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Tuition reimbursement
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid bereavement leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

• Provide technical expertise for environmental permitting and project siting activities
• Prepare environmental permitting and compliance documentation
• Interpret environmental permitting requirements and analyze project impacts
• Coordinate with public and agency contacts including involvement in public meetings
• Coordinate internal training on environmental permitting requirements
• Coordinate internal and external resources and contractors as part of a multi-disciplinary project team
• Coordinate and evaluate Environmental Impact Statements and related activities
• The ability to maintain regular, reliable, and punctual attendance is an essential function of this position, consistent with applicable laws and reasonable accommodation requirements
• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards
• Ensure all actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:

• Must be able to demonstrate a good safety record
• Must possess strong interpersonal communication and relationship building skills and be able to establish and maintain positive, productive working relationships with internal team members, staff, agencies, contractors, and the public
• Five years of experience in environmental permitting of energy supply and delivery facilities preferred
• Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering or an environmental science (such as wildlife biology, agriculture, forestry, soil science, etc) or related field preferred
• Demonstrated expertise in interpreting and understanding federal and state environmental policy, regulations, permitting is required
• Demonstrate ability to successfully permit energy projects at the local, state and federal levelsDemonstrated high level of organizational skills and use of project management programs/software to manage permit requirements and deadlines
• Environmental experience conducting biological assessments, plant surveys, wetland delineations, rare and endangered species surveys, environmental monitoring and preparing NEPA documents is a plus
• Demonstrated technical writing and project management skills required
• Must have good computer skills in the use of Microsoft Office and ESRI - ARCGIS products.
• Get Into Energy - Energy Industry Fundamental 2.0 certification is a plus (click the link to certify at no cost)

Requisition #5051

Posting Dates: August 10, 2026 through August 24, 2026

Department/Division: Planning & Development

Employment Physical: Not Required

Drug Test: Not Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: Negotiable

Telecommuting: Part-time Negotiable within NorthWestern Energy Service Territory

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at [e-mail].