Manager, Permit Compliance

ABOUT AVANTUS

Avantus develops, owns, and operates utility-scale clean energy projects across California and the Desert Southwest. Our development pipeline represents one of the nation's largest portfolios of solar with integrated storage, capable of providing dispatchable power to 17 million Americans, day and night. With over a decade of industry leadership and strategic investment from KKR and EIG, Avantus delivers affordable, reliable clean energy solutions that meet America’s growing energy demand.

ABOUT THE POSITION

We are seeking a highly motivated and organized candidate for the Manager, Permit Compliance position. The successful candidate will demonstrate sound industry knowledge, superior communications, and detail-oriented organizational skills. This role reports to the Director, Permit Compliance.

Working in close coordination with various other cross-functional teams including Permitting, Asset Management, Development, Engineering, Transmission/Interconnection, Project Finance, and Construction Management, the Manager oversees compliance with environmental and land use permit conditions for operating utility-scale solar and energy storage projects, including conditional use permits, state and federal endangered species permits, stream, wetland, and stormwater permits, wildlife laws and regulations, and other local, state, and federal regulations. This person has at least five (5) years of experience in managing the environmental compliance of large infrastructure projects with demonstrated experience within the renewable or similar industries strongly desired. This position requires an understanding of permitting and permit compliance requirements on a subject matter expert level; manages others with expertise in the field and works hands-on to ensure compliance tasks are completed with project needs including budget and schedule.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Oversee permit compliance activities for operating projects, including management and direction of permit compliance staff (as applicable) and consultants.
• Direct and execute compliance with permit requirements, tracking and documenting permit stipulations, managing mitigation measures, and reporting for renewable power projects in the SW and CA.
• Develop and maintain working relationships with local, state, and federal regulatory authorities to assist in the successful execution of compliance activities and represent the company’s interests.
• Fill the role of subject matter expert on multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Integrate with the rest of the Permitting Team to support permit development and review, including review of permit conditions and evaluating the implementation feasibility of permits.
• Provide strategic direction to multi-disciplinary teams on a project level.
• Produce periodic reports, including the tracking and timely filing of compliance reports and submittals with government agencies.
• Oversee the development of policies and procedures guiding the company’s permit compliance program.
• Help with policy and procedure development initiatives within the Permit Compliance Team.
• 20% of travel anticipated visiting operating and under-construction renewable power sites, government agencies, stakeholders, and various industry-related conferences.

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, ecology, biology, city and regional planning, or related field. Advance degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5-7 years of experience required maintaining and managing compliance with land use permits, zoning permits, and environmental resource permits for large energy or infrastructure projects.
• Expertise with land use entitlements, CEQA, NEPA, ESA, state Endangered Species laws, aquatic resource permitting, and stormwater regulations desirable.
• Experience coordinating with federal and state agencies and counties and municipalities in satisfying mitigation measures, conditions of approvals, and stipulations associated with conditional use permits, Right-of-Way grants or similar experience is strongly desired.
• Understanding of permit compliance requirements in relation to Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) contracts.
• The ability to manage multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously, meeting project deadlines.
• The ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Experience working with permitting specialists, regulators, project managers, environmental lawyers, scientists, planners, engineers, and contractors.
• An exceptionally strong work ethic and professional demeanor.
• A positive attitude and willingness to learn.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment and manage permitting activities independently.
• Candidates for this position will be motivated self-starters who can work both independently and as part of a team.

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