Manager, Environmental Compliance & Strategy

Invenergy drives innovation in energy. Powered by decades of entrepreneurial experience and unparalleled execution, we solve the energy challenges facing our customers and communities.

We provide power generation and storage solutions at scale around the world to create a cleaner energy future. We develop.

We build. We own. We operate. We are Invenergy.

Job Description

Position Overview

As a Manager, Environmental Compliance and Strategy, you will be responsible for assisting Invenergy’s in-house environmental team in support of responsible development, construction and operation of utility-scale wind and solar energy facilities across the US.

You will lead all aspects of environmental compliance, including due diligence, planning, permitting, and compliance for a dedicated portfolio of large-scale wind and solar projects.

To fulfill these duties, you will collaborate with internal project teams such as development, engineering, and construction management;

external teams like environmental, engineering and external legal counsel; and external stakeholders such as state / federal resource agencies, private landowners, and conservation organizations.

The ideal candidate will be an organized and collaborative self-starter with a keen attention to detail, with the ability to handle multiple projects at various stages of development, construction, and operations.

The ideal candidate will have an understanding of renewable energy project processes and experience and expertise interpreting and applying federal and state environmental laws (NEPA, ESA, and CWA, and other federal environmental laws), federal guidelines (WEGs), and policies, and managing environmental compliance process for utility-scale renewable energy projects.

The position will have geographic focus on projects in the Midwest region.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement environmental survey and permitting strategies for a portfolio of wind and solar projects in various stages of development, construction, and operations.

Manage internal and external environmental compliance processes that require regular communication with the project team and third parties, and the development of a complete and organized project record to demonstrate compliance with federal and state wildlife regulations.

Oversee the development of necessary documents for compliance with federal, state, and local regulations, and federal and state policies and guidance during project siting, construction, and operations.

Lead federal and state regulatory agency consultation and eNGO outreach.

Review resource reports with critical attention to meeting regulatory standards, data and documentation accuracy, and survey objectives, methods, and results.

Reports typically include but are not limited to : habitat evaluations, desktop environmental screenings, threatened / endangered / sensitive species surveys, wetland delineations, avian and bat use surveys, and post-construction monitoring studies.

Review the environmental sections of local and state siting / special use permit applications. Lead on the development and review of water resource and threatened / endangered species permit applications.

Prepare for and appear as the environmental subject matter expert in county and state zoning and permitting hearings; provide thorough and accurate testimony on behalf the project.

Prepare project marketing materials in response to customer RFPs. Respond to internal environmental-related inquiries in support of project contracting, project financing, and third-party due diligence.

Identify and communicate project needs, schedules, and risks across project support teams. Work collaboratively and efficiently with internal teams and external parties (e.

g., consultants) to execute project work on schedule, and develop strategies to address environmental-related issues.

Guide environmental compliance for projects transitioning from development through construction, including the preparation for civil construction activities and oversight of an environmental compliance monitor throughout the 12+ months of construction.

Participate in regional and national initiatives, symposia, conferences, and industry groups as needed to achieve Company objectives.

Maintain comprehensive knowledge of environmental policy, regulation and compliance that affect permitting and impacts on project siting and compliance.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree or higher

Experience and expertise interpreting federal and state environmental laws (ESA, NEPA, CWA), guidelines, and policies, and developing project strategies for compliance with the same.

5-7+ years in renewable energy or 8+ years in a similar industry with experience managing responsibilities similar to those listed above.

Must be willing to travel as needed (20%), depending on the needs of the project.

Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Skills

Must be self-directed and detail oriented, with the ability and desire to work effectively in a team environment.

Able to act and adapt to a fast-paced business environment with competing deadlines, and quickly learn and implement internal processes.

Strong attention to detail, assuring documents and communications are concise and accurate.

Ability to navigate ArcGIS and Google Earth to interpret environmental spatial data and identify potential project risks.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree in biological science / natural resources / environmental policy or environmental law degree

Working knowledge of the USFWS Wind Energy Guidelines and Eagle Conservation Plan Guidance

Experience with Midwest US, preferably Iowa and / or Illinois, project development or natural resource issues

Benefits

Eligible for medical, dental, vision, 401(k), bonus, paid time off, etc.

Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.