Manager, Solar Permitting – West

About Ecoplexus

Ecoplexus Inc. (www.ecoplexus.com) is a leading renewables developer, owner, and operator with end-to-end execution capabilities. Including all phases of development, financing, EPC, O&M, and asset management. The company focuses on utility-scale solar and energy storage projects in the 200 MW to 500 MW range in the U.S. We've successfully developed 90 projects in the US from greenfield site selection to commercial operation. The Company currently has a large, advanced stage pipeline of projects which require completion in 2027 and beyond. In addition, we are expanding our project development in California and the West.

Summary

The successful candidate will report directly to the Sr. Director, Permitting and will work closely with internal Ecoplexus teams, including permitting, engineering, legal, finance, real estate, and other disciplines, as well as external consultants. The position is to work remotely. This position will involve travel to project sites and permitting jurisdictions. The successful candidate must have a valid driver's license and reliable transportation and occasionally be willing to spend a significant amount of time traveling.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Responsibilities may include (under the direction of the Sr. Director, Permitting), but are not limited to the following:

• Manage external consultants and coordinate with internal resource teams including development, engineering, legal, finance, real estate, and other internal resources, in support of securing local, state and federal permits
• Regularly track progress and provide updates using shared internal databases, to keep colleagues and management aware of on-going communications, activities, and developments
• Coordinate consultants and manage timelines and deliverables pertaining to Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessments, California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), Bureau of Land Management (BLM) ROW and POD's, National Environmental Policy Act reports (i.e., threatened and endangered species surveys and cultural resources reports), jurisdictional wetland delineations, and others as needed
• Represent Ecoplexus, in conjunction with key consultants and specialists, in discussions with local, state and federal permitting authorities, including Counties, Bureau of Land Management, State Agencies, Historic Preservation Offices, United States Department of Fish & Wildlife, United States Army Corps of Engineers, etc.
• Represent Ecoplexus at regulatory meetings and hearings -- including pre-applications, various state and federal agency meetings, Planning and Zoning departments, Boards of Commissioners, City Councils and others -- in conjunction with development partners and relevant experts
• Navigate GIS and zoning maps; locate, identify, and interpret relevant land use ordinances; and contact jurisdictions to determine zoning, land use regulations, permitting processes and related requirements
• When necessary, work in conjunction with senior permitting staff and local jurisdictions to help develop land use ordinances to allow for permitting of solar and energy storage facilities and complex, multi-technology energy parks.
• Prepare and submit rezoning, variance, BLM ROW, BLM POD, NEPA EA's and EIS's, Special Use Permits, Conditional Use Permits, Nationwide Permits and similar applications
• Provide critical information to the design team to ensure that projects comply with all relevant design guidelines and ordinances
• Prepare for hearings and meetings by researching local, state and federal regulations, ordinances and land use plans, and by managing development of appropriate materials in collaboration with internal and external team members
• Attend site visits to proposed development locations
• Other duties as assigned by the Sr. Director of Permitting

Education, Work Experience, Skills Requirements

• Four-year degree in public policy/planning, environmental science, natural resources, engineering, sustainability, or equivalent
• Experience with permitting solar (preferred) or energy projects in California, including experience with CEQA, BLM permitting, and NEPA.
• 5 years' experience required in land use permitting and environmental permitting either in public or private sector
• Project management, organizational, and analytical problem-solving skills
• Excellent interpersonal, public speaking, negotiation, and influencing skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a larger team and take the initiative to follow up as needed
• Proficiency in project management software and MS Office suite
• Experience in solar industry is a plus, but not required

Ecoplexus offers a competitive salary, bonus structure, a benefits program, and flexible working conditions.

Ecoplexus is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

No third party solicitations will be accepted for this or any other Ecoplexus position.

Check us out at: http://www.ecoplexus.com/about-us/