Senior Land Use & Permitting Lead, Renewable Energy

Environmental Resources Management, Inc. in; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 101,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Land Use Planner in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington to lead and expand our renewable energy permitting practice across the Pacific Northwest.

In this highly visible role, you will guide complex permitting, environmental review, and land use planning efforts that support the development of utility-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects, helping clients advance the clean energy transition while navigating regulatory requirements and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental Planning, Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Science, Geography, Natural Resources, Public Policy, or related field or 12 years of equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of experience supporting permitting and land use planning for renewable energy, transmission, infrastructure, or similar projects.
• Experience preparing land use permit applications and supporting local government approval processes.
• Familiarity with Oregon and Washington land use regulations, including SEPA and local permitting requirements.
• Excellent technical writing, communication, and client management skills.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support permit strategies and entitlement pathways for environmental permitting and land use planning for energy projects in Oregon and Washington.
• Lead preparation of county and municipal land use permit applications, including Conditional Use Permits and Goal Exception applications.
• Coordinate with state agencies, counties, municipalities, and districts to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Conduct zoning and land use due diligence and interpret local codes to identify permitting risks and opportunities.
• Prepare findings of fact and permit narratives to support project approvals.
• Support EFSC/EFSEC review processes and coordinate with state energy staff.
• Mentor junior staff and provide QA for permitting deliverables.
• Develop best practices, tools, and methodologies for renewable energy permitting.

Skills

Client management

Technical writing

Communication

Project management

Multi-project handling

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Environmental Planning / related field

12 years of equivalent experience

Job description

ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Land Use Planner in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington to lead and expand our renewable energy permitting practice across the Pacific Northwest.

In this highly visible role, you will guide complex permitting, environmental review, and land use planning efforts that support the development of utility-scale renewable energy and infrastructure projects, helping clients advance the clean energy transition while navigating regulatory requirements and