Mid-level Environmental Planner - Transmission focus

AECOM; Illinois; Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM is seeking a Mid-level Environmental Planner with a focus on transmission to join our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in the Midwest. This hybrid role can be based in Indianapolis, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, Minneapolis, St.

Louis, Kansas City, or Detroit offices, with consideration given to candidates across the Upper Midwest. You will lead or support environmental planning practitioners and maintain client relationships while expanding our environmental permitting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, geography, natural resources, engineering, or related field.
• Ability to travel for agency/client meetings as needed.
• A valid U.S Driver's license is required for this role.
• U.S. Citizenship is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support environmental planning projects and teaming with technical experts to prepare environmental documents, focusing on permitting.
• Manage early-stage due diligence for siting energy projects and related infrastructure.
• Provide project management on small to mid-sized projects, including schedules, budgets, invoicing, and client coordination.
• Work on environmental documents and entitlements for energy sector projects, including NEPA documentation.
• Support projects across the Midwest and national markets using AECOM's platform.
• Contribute to marketing, proposals, and proposal cost estimates as a seller-doer.
• Mentor and develop junior staff by reviewing work and providing guidance.

Skills

Travel willingness

Driver's license

US citizenship

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental planning or related field

Job description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

AECOMhas an exciting opportunity for aMid-level Environmental Planner - Transmission focustojoin our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in the Midwest region. Thishybridrole offers flexibility and can be based in AECOM’sIndianapolis, Chicago, Columbus, Cleveland, Minneapolis, St. Louis, Kansas City, or Detroitoffices, with consideration also given to candidates across theUpper Midwest.

AECOM's EPP team servesnumerousprivate industry and public utility energy clients, on a variety of energy projects including transmission, grid modernization, and renewable energy developments.In this role you will leador supportproject teams and work with our environmental planning practitioners and technical subject matter experts to prepare environmental documents, with a particular focus on supporting permitting and entitlement work for our growing line of work with energy developers and utilities.Projects range from regional transmission programs and grid modernization efforts to large-scale renewable energy developments and complex, multi-jurisdictional permitting efforts.

This role would involve serving as a seller-doer, responsiblefor developing andmaintainingclient relationships, leadingpursuitsand project teams, andexpanding AECOM's energy permitting and environmental planning portfolio across the Midwest and supporting strategic growth initiatives throughout the U.S.

The responsibilities of thisrole wouldinclude, but are not limited to:

• Leador supportenvironmental planning and compliance effortsfor energy infrastructure projects,andcoordinationandfilingswith state utility regulatory agencies and public service commissions to support transmission siting, routing, permitting, and certificate approval processes across Midwest jurisdictions, especially within MISO, PJM, and SPPregions.Will includepreparationoftechnical studies andNEPA documentation.
• Manage early-stage due diligence efforts for siting energy projects and associated infrastructure.
• Provide project management onsmall tomid-sizedprojects,andsupportlarge-sized projects,including developing and tracking project schedules, budgets, invoicing, and coordination with clients, technical staff and subconsultants.
• Work on environmental documents and entitlements related tohigh-profileinfrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on energy sector projects.
• Support projects acrossthe Midwestand other U.S. markets byleveragingAECOM's national technical and project delivery platform.
• Contribute to marketing and business development, preparation of proposals, and formulating proposal cost estimates as a seller-doer.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level staff by reviewing work products,providingtechnical guidance, and supporting career development.

About AECOM’s Environment Business Line

Join AECOM to be part of an expert global team who is connected through a well-developed, worldwide, internal technical practice network through which you can learn from and brainstorm with the best in the world.AECOM is an industry-leading, world class environmental firm, and we want you to succeed within it.We respect and encourage your own pathway to excellence via our Freedom to Grow initiative.
AECOM is known for our award-winning technical excellence, leading-edgescienceand innovative project delivery. We provide sustainable solutions for some of the world’s most challenging issues.Our global clients and their projects span a variety of market sectors and geographies and require innovative technical solutions to solve wide-ranging environmental problems.

MinimumRequirements:

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, environmental science, geography, natural resources, engineering, ora relatedfield.
• 4years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education inelectric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) throughsupporting thepreparingstate utility permitting applications, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Abilityto travel for agency/client meetings,asneeded.
• A valid U.S Driver's license isrequiredfor this role.
• Due to the nature of this work, U.S. Citizenship isrequired.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 6+ years successfully managingor supportingpermitting andpreparingstate utilitycommission andrelateddocumentation, strong understanding of current state and federal regulations and guidance.
• Electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) experience through preparingor supportingstate utility commissionsdocuments, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting, as well as NEPA documentation.
• Experiencewithcomplex transmission and renewable energy permitting programs, including permitting, agency negotiation, and multi-state routing effort.
• Experiencewithtransmission permitting, routing, and certificate proceedings before state utility commissions and public service commissions within the Midwest or other U.S.jurisdictions.
• Experience supporting regulatory hearings or expert witness testimony is a plus.
• Projector deputy projectmanagement experienceonenvironmental planning projects, including client interaction, schedule and budget controls, and invoicing.
• Experience supporting client development, proposal preparation, and/or business development pursuits.
• Experienceinmanagingor supportingenvironmental planning orpermittingprojects, including scope, schedule, budget, and client communications.
• Experiencein proposal development.
• Experience working in a fast-paced consulting environment,managingand mentoring staff.

• Relocation is not available for this position.

About AECOM

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options,well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com.

What makes AECOM a great place to work

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.