Senior Environmental Permitting Lead for Energy Projects

ERM; Nashville (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Managing Consultant, Scientist (Environmental Permitting) to lead permitting and regulatory strategies for major energy and technology projects across the United States, combining technical expertise with client management to deliver compliant, high‑quality solutions.

Based in Charleston, WV or Indianapolis, IN, you will mentor teams, manage NEPA projects, coordinate with agencies, and drive delivery within budget and schedule, expanding ERM’s environmental permitting and impact

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental studies, environmental management, wetland science, planning, geography, or a related natural resources science field of study, or equivalent experience.
• 4+ years (8 years preferred) of project management, licensing, and permitting experience, including strong project experience in natural gas or renewable energy.
• Experience preparing NEPA-type documents for federal and/or state agencies and providing strategic-level Capital Project Delivery support.
• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting, particularly with the preparation of applications and documents related to the development of energy projects.
• Experience assisting clients in obtaining permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, GIS, and map interpretation (NWI, USGS, aerial photography).
• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise and accurate technical documents, including presentation of findings to clients, stakeholders, and/or regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational abilities, and analytical skills, with experience recording and writing detailed technical data and reports.
• Ability to multi-task, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members; excellent people skills; responsive, collaborative, versatile, effective in a fast‑paced environment, and service-oriented.
• Driver’s License Required: This position requires a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.
• Strong commitment to safety.
• This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Manage and perform multi‑media permitting and compliance associated with technology and energy infrastructure projects, such as data centers, natural gas, and renewable energy (solar and wind), with an emphasis on local, state, and federal permitting and regulatory compliance.
• Manage and provide technical assistance on National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) projects and related activities in support of ERM clients’ development projects, including solar, natural gas, and renewable energy projects.
• Contribute technical, subject matter, and project management expertise on permitting strategies, including Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act considerations, due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and overall quality control reviews.
• Manage and lead the preparation of permitting documents.
• Oversee project delivery activities such as report writing, data collection, data and literature review, and the development of recommendations for clients.
• Prepare technical proposals and participate in business development activities with existing clients and identified leads while helping expand ERM's growing renewable energy projects and team.
• Manage and work within quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations.
• Collaborate with other ERM practitioners to execute impact assessments and capital project permitting efforts, including baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, routing studies, land planning, and facility siting and permitting.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships while supporting the sustainable growth of ERM's environmental consulting business.

Skills

Project management

NEPA experience

Permitting strategy

Client relationships

GIS mapping

Communication

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor/Master in environmental studies/related

Job description

ERM is seeking a Managing Consultant, Scientist (Environmental Permitting) to lead permitting and regulatory strategies for major energy and technology projects across the United States, combining technical expertise with client management to deliver compliant, high‑quality solutions.

Based in Charleston, WV or Indianapolis, IN, you will mentor teams, manage NEPA projects, coordinate with agencies, and drive delivery within budget and schedule, expanding ERM’s environmental permitting and impact