Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist - Environmental

AECOM; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

AECOM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist to join the Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in Texas. This hybrid role can be based out of Houston, Dallas or Austin offices.

You will lead teams to prepare environmental documents and support permitting for energy projects, including transmission and grid modernization efforts, engaging with utilities and state agencies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning or related field required.
• Experience preparing PUC and NEPA documents and siting analysis preferred.
• Ability to travel for agency/client meetings as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead environmental planning and permitting efforts for energy infrastructure, including NEPA docs and regulatory coordination.
• Manage early‑stage due diligence for siting energy projects and related infrastructure.
• Provide project management for mid- to large‑sized projects, including schedules, budgets, invoicing, and client coordination.
• Support projects across Texas and other U.S. markets using AECOM's national platform.
• Mentor staff and provide constructive feedback on tasks.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Project leadership

NEPA documentation

PUCT coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in environmental planning or related field

Job description

• Full-time
• State/Province: Texas
• Business Group: DCS
• Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
• Business Line: Environment
• Work Location Model: Hybrid
• Primary Location: US - Houston, TX - 800 Gessner Rd
• Compensation: USD 100,000 - USD 135,000 - yearly

Job Description

AECOM has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Transmission Line Permitting Specialist to join our Environmental Planning and Permitting (EPP) team in the Texas region. This hybrid role can be based out of AECOM’s Houston, Dallas or Austin offices.

Our EPP team serves numerous private 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 lead project 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, responsible for developing and maintaining client relationships, leading pursuits and project teams, and expanding AECOM’s energy permitting portfolio in the region.

The responsibilities of this role would include, but are not limited to:

• Lead environmental planning and compliance efforts for energy infrastructure projects, including preparation of NEPA documentation and technical studies, and coordination with state utility regulatory agencies (PUCs/PSCs), including Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) to support transmission siting, routing and permitting approvals (e.g., CCN).
• Manage early‑stage due diligence efforts for siting energy projects and associated infrastructure.
• Provide project management on mid- to large‑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 to high‑profile infrastructure projects, with particular emphasis on energy sector projects.
• Opportunity to support projects across Texas and other U.S. markets leveraging AECOM’s national platform.
• Contribute to marketing and business development, preparation of proposals, and formulating proposal cost estimates as a seller‑doer.
• Providing leadership in mentoring personnel, including reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity and providing constructive feedback on project tasks.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, or related field.
• 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education in electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) through preparing PUC and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Ability to travel for agency/client meetings, as needed.
• A valid U.S. Driver's license is required for this role.
• Due to the nature of this work, U.S. Citizenship is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years successfully managing permitting and preparing PUC and NEPA documentation, strong understanding of current state and federal regulations and guidance.
• Electric transmission and renewable energy (e.g., solar, wind, energy storage) experience through preparing PUC and/or NEPA documents, routing and siting analysis, critical issues analysis, land use entitlement applications and/or overseeing multi-disciplinary technical teams for resource technical studies and permitting.
• Experience leading NEPA and technical studies and other requirements of projects located on federal lands, such as Endangered Species Act (ESA) compliance, and Clean Water Act (CWA) permitting.
• Experience leading licensing with the PUCT and/or other state transmission agencies. Experience with expert witness testimony a plus.
• Project management experience on environmental planning projects, including client interaction, schedule and budget controls, and invoicing.
• Demonstrated leadership in proposal development and successful pursuit of competitive bids.
• Experience working in a fast‑paced consulting environment, managing and mentoring staff.

Additional Information

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.

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.