Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power

Sigma Earth; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Sigma Earth seeks an experienced Permitting Project Manager to lead complex permitting and compliance for renewable energy and technology-sector projects across a broad geographic area in the United States. The role requires coordinating with clients, regulators, and internal teams to ensure timely delivery and adherence to requirements.

Responsibilities include preparing permit documents, environmental reviews, and technical reports, acting as project manager and QA/QC reviewer, and developing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental studies, planning, geography, or a related field, or 8+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• 6+ years of experience in project management and permitting, preferably 8+ years, with experience in the power sector preferred.
• Hands-on experience with federal, state, and local permitting, including preparing local permit applications for renewable energy projects.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate findings to clients and regulatory authorities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead teams, and deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex permitting and compliance processes for renewable energy and technology-sector projects.
• Oversee the preparation of permit documents, environmental reviews, and technical reports, including biological, cultural, noise, and decommissioning plans.
• Act as project manager, task manager, technical specialist, and QA/QC reviewer for project deliverables.
• Develop permitting strategies, conduct due diligence, and maintain quality control across impact assessment deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals and support business development efforts to expand the renewable energy portfolio.
• Coordinate with clients, lead meetings, and provide strategic guidance to improve project execution.
• Collaborate with global technical teams to exchange best practices and deliver innovative solutions.

Skills

Project management

Permitting expertise

Technical writing

GIS

Client communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental studies

Master's degree in environmental studies

Job description

Required Qualifications

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in environmental studies, planning, geography, or a related field, or 8+ years of equivalent professional experience.
• 6+ years of experience in project management and permitting, preferably 8+ years, with experience in the power sector preferred.
• Hands-on experience with federal, state, and local permitting, including preparing local permit applications for renewable energy projects.
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate findings to clients and regulatory authorities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, lead teams, and deliver projects on schedule and within budget.
• Valid driver's license and ability to operate a company vehicle, as the role involves frequent travel across client locations in a large geographic area.
• Willingness to travel approximately 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Expertise in local land use permitting, including Conditional Use Permits or Special Use Permits.
• Understanding of municipal and county-level requirements such as buffer widths, vegetative screening, noise studies, water quality monitoring, and stormwater review criteria.
• Experience refining project layouts based on local permitting requirements.
• Proficiency in GIS, with the ability to interpret maps and environmental datasets.
• Proven ability to mentor and support team members in a fast-paced work environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage complex permitting and compliance processes for renewable energy and technology-sector projects.
• Oversee the preparation of permit documents, environmental reviews, and technical reports, including biological, cultural, noise, and decommissioning plans.
• Act as project manager, task manager, technical specialist, and QA/QC reviewer for project deliverables.
• Develop permitting strategies, conduct due diligence, and maintain quality control across impact assessment deliverables.
• Prepare technical proposals and support business development efforts to expand the renewable energy portfolio.
• Coordinate with clients, lead meetings, and provide strategic guidance to improve project execution.
• Collaborate with global technical teams to exchange best practices and deliver innovative solutions.