Environmental Consultant

Job Title: Environmental Consultant
Location: Richmond, VA
Duration: 12+ Months of Contract, possible extension
Shift: Work shift - 2 days onsite in Richmond office, 3 days remote, plus up to 25% field travel (Virginia)
 
Job Description:
Top Required Skills:

• MUST have experience with environmental permitting of linear utilities (gas, electric, water or sewer).
• MUST have prior experience with permitting of construction projects with land and water impact.
• MUST have knowledge of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) process for Transmission Utilities.
• MUST have knowledge of avoidance and minimization of routing linear utilities and decision implications on permitting and project timelines.
• MUST have the ability to understand and communicate environmental programmatic consistency as part of larger project teams.
• MUST have previously worked with permits handling and or related to wetlands (including threatened and endangered species and cultural resource coordination), erosion and sediment control, and stormwater management for construction projects.
• MUST have prior regulatory agency experience or experience representing an organization with regulatory agencies
• MUST have an active license or ability to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle
• Ability to read, analyse, and interpret new and existing regulations and apply to construction projects

 
Note: Must be willing to work outdoors in potential weather extremes (heat, cold, etc) and be willing to work both at project sites or in an office setting.
 
What soft skill requirements do you have (team fit and personality requirements)?

• Ability to juggle multiple projects from multiple project managers
• Strong communication skills both verbal and written
• Ability to lead, collaborate, or work effectively in a variety of teams, including multi-disciplinary teams
• Ability to communicate permitting requirements, decision implications, and schedules to project team
• Must be confident representing environmental concerns with non-environmental staff

 
Nice to Have Skills:

• Knowledge of environmental justice issues is a plus.
• Knowledge of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a plus

 
High Level Project Overview:

• Client has a need to engage a full-time augmented staff member to manage environmental permitting of projects for electric transmission construction in Virginia and North Carolina.
• This person will be located in the Richmond Office with some travel day travel in Virginia or North Carolina.
• Day travel to exterior job sites and meetings may be required.
• Work Description Position has responsibility for conducting reviews of proposed electric transmission projects to determine environmental permitting requirements and obtaining environmental permits in Virginia and North Carolina.
• In general, the individual will be working with project managers to understand the Product of a project, then engaging with external consultants and directing the work of these consultants to create the permit applications and other deliverables, while managing the quality and timeliness of the vendor’s work.

 
Job duties:

• Coordinate with project managers to understand the Product of new and replacement electric transmission projects and apply knowledge of environmental regulations to determine what, if any, environmental permits are required.
• Determine environmental permit applicability with specific knowledge of CWA Section 404/401, ESA Section 7, NHPA Section 106, Erosion and Sediment Control, and Virginia and North Carolina Stormwater Management Programs.
• With support from other vendors, prepare applications and secure environmental permits or clearances required for construction.
• With support from other vendors, prepare, review, and edit Virginia State Corporation Commission Applications in support of obtaining a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for transmission line projects.
• Communicate environmental compliance requirements to project teams and field personnel. Depending on the project, communications may be held during project site meetings.
• Technical assistance to sites/projects for environmental compliance.
• Interpret environmental permits and regulations to ensure that compliance dates and requirements are met.
• Communicate with regulatory agency representatives, negotiate permit conditions, may represent the client during regulatory inspections, and other regulatory meetings.
• Oversight and technical direction of contractors and consultants including preparation of Products of work, purchase requisitions, permit applications, permit support materials, and invoice approval.
• Adherence to environmental policy, guidance, and work practices.
• Adherence to the client's safety rules and safety performance expectations.

 
Required Years of Experience:

• Minimum 5+ years direct work experience with environmental permitting of linear utilities and Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) process.

 
Education:

• Bachelor preferred in Environmental Science or Engineering or other Environmental degree.

 
 
Are there any specific companies/industries you’d like to see in the candidate’s experience?
• Prior experience in a permitting role with a regulated commercial utility would be preferred
 
Preferred Interview Process Overview (High level):
• Teams – Camera On
Candidate should be prepared to walk through the permitting process start to finish