Senior Environmental Specialist - Transmission and Distribution

AES Corporation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking an experienced Environmental Permitting Lead to drive environmental permitting for transmission and distribution projects in the AES Indiana and AES Ohio footprint. You will coordinate consultants, manage timelines, and ensure compliance with CWA and related permits.

The role requires a Bachelor’s in environmental science or engineering and at least seven years of permit oversight, with strong regulatory knowledge and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of environmental permitting experience in Indiana and Ohio.
• Experience with CWA 404/401, nationwide permits, stormwater and related permits.
• Familiarity with RTE/ESA/MBTA, NHPA, and ASTM standards like ASTME1527‑21.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental permitting activities for T&D projects for AES Indiana and AES Ohio.
• Coordinate consultants for Phase 1/2 ESAs, ecological and cultural resources reviews.
• Develop and tune permitting programs and compliance standards.
• Interact with federal, state and local agencies to secure permits and approvals.
• Support planning, outreach, and ESG initiatives within AES Indiana.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Regulatory compliance

Project management

Stakeholder communication

MS Office Suite

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental science or engineering

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices. Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven‑time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty‑first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it.

Transmission and Distribution environmental project permitting and management

• Leading all aspects of and handling environmental permitting activities for a large number of electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) construction projects for AES Indiana and AES Ohio. Projects can include transmission and distribution lines (new and rebuilt), substations (new and expansion), laydown yards, storage facilities, and other associated infrastructure projects.
• Supporting and reviewing environmental permitting activities for electricity generation projects.
• Preparing and submitting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and coordinating qualified environmental consultants for various environmental services, including but not limited to: Phase 1 and Phase 2 Environmental Site Assessments, natural resources, ecological, and cultural resources site assessment and permit applicability evaluations, constructability assessments, permit package preparation and transfer to compliance team.
• Developing or enhancing management and permitting programs and standards for prioritizing, assessing, and obtaining permits, including both external and internal permitting support.
• Providing environmental due diligence, emergency response, and waste support to the T&D teams, which could include determining environmental site conditions, coordinating soil sampling and analysis, evaluating results to determine remediation needs, special instructions for design or construction, pre‑approvals, and coordination of disposal of equipment or contaminated soil with appropriate vendors and disposal sites.
• Interacting with local, state, and federal government agencies regarding associated environmental matters of T&D projects.
• Interacting and coordinating with the T&D Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) Analyst and T&D personnel and contractors to ensure that permit compliance requirements are fully communicated, including inspections, record‑keeping, reporting, and permit termination.
• Additional responsibilities include supporting AES Indiana Planning, Siting, and Outreach teams with various projects and initiatives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or related science‑related field from an accredited college/university.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of recent environmental construction permitting or oversight of permitting in Indiana and Ohio.
• Experience, knowledge, and familiarity with environmental construction permitting, including CWA 404; CWA 401; nationwide permits; stormwater construction permitting; floodway/floodplain permitting; drainage easement requirements; and local permitting requirements.
• This includes experience, knowledge, and familiarity with underlying regulations and laws applicable to these types of permits.
• Experience, knowledge, and familiarity with various regulatory consultations, including federal and state rare, threatened, and endangered (RTE) species, Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), and cultural resources management, including the application of the National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA).
• Experience, knowledge, and familiarity with the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) Standard Practice ASTME1527‑21.
• This includes experience, knowledge, and familiarity with underlying regulations and laws applicable to these types of permits.
• Ability to work under pressure within deadlines and while handling multiple priorities.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact with a diverse group.
• Self‑driven, results‑oriented with a clear focus on high‑quality outcomes and business success.
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.
• Willingness to work in a union environment; motivated self‑starter who can function with minimum supervision; valid Indiana or Ohio driver’s license.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in environmental science, engineering, or related science‑related field from an accredited college/university.
• Experience in environmental construction permitting specific to electricity T&D and renewable energy.
• Experience working with the City of Indianapolis and obtaining drainage permits through the Department of Business and Neighborhood Services.
• Experience in land acquisition environmental due diligence and CERCLA is preferred; experience in RCRA and waste management.

Location

Primary Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, or Dayton, Ohio. Some travel between the Indianapolis, IN area and the Dayton, OH area required.

Equal Opportunity & Diversity

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long‑term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

E‑Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I‑9 to confirm work authorization.

Company Culture & Mission

Accelerating the future of energy, together Our people are our energy and have transformed AES into the type of energy company that the world needs today and in the future. Coming from all walks of life, our people share a passion for improving lives by advancing the energy sector through innovation, collaboration and action. We are working in an industry that requires new thinking and ways of working together to create solutions that are both economically and environmentally viable, not just one or the other. We are looking for passionate people to join us in our mission to accelerate the future of energy.