Principal consultant, renewables project manager

Lead the permitting strategies that power the clean energy transition across the Pacific Northwest.

At ERM, we are looking for a Principal Consultant, Renewables Project Manager to help shape the future of renewable energy development across the Pacific Northwest. Based in Portland, Oregon or Seattle, Washington, this is a strategic leadership opportunity for an experienced permitting professional who thrives at the intersection of project delivery, client advisory, business development, and environmental stewardship.

As part of ERM's planning team, you will lead consulting efforts on environmental, social, and health impact assessment projects while collaborating with ERM's global technical experts to share industry-leading practices and advance our renewable energy permitting services regionally and nationally.

Why This Role Matters

The transition to a low-carbon economy depends on successfully navigating increasingly complex permitting and environmental review processes. In this role, you will help clients move critical renewable energy projects from concept to reality by developing permitting strategies, leading regulatory approvals, and managing multidisciplinary teams across multiple jurisdictions. Your work will directly influence the development, construction, and operation of commercial-scale energy facilities throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead permitting and environmental review strategies for utility-scale renewable energy and energy infrastructure projects.
• Advise clients on complex federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and approval pathways.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams delivering environmental assessments, permitting documentation, and regulatory compliance solutions.
• Build and strengthen client relationships while contributing to ERM's continued growth in the renewable energy sector.
• Support the development of innovative, sustainable energy projects that accelerate the U.S. clean energy transition.
• Mentor team members and help cultivate a collaborative, high-performing consulting practice.

What You'll Bring

Required

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in biology, environmental studies, environmental management, wetland science, planning, geography, or a related natural resources science field of study; or equivalent experience.
• 6+ years of project management, licensing, and permitting experience, including strong project experience in renewable energy or a similar practice across Washington and Oregon.
• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting, including preparation of applications and permitting documentation related to renewable energy project development.
• Experience assisting clients in obtaining multi-media permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and map interpretation using resources such as the National Wetland Inventory, U.S. Geological Survey, and aerial photography.
• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise, accurate technical documents and present findings to clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, organizational skills, and analytical capabilities, including experience preparing detailed technical reports and documentation.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members; strong interpersonal skills with a responsive, collaborative, versatile, service-oriented approach in a fast-paced environment.
• Driver's License Required: This position requires a valid driver's license and/or the ability to operate a company vehicle due to the nature of job duties, which include frequent travel to various client locations across a large geographical area.

Preferred

• 8+ years of project management, licensing, and permitting experience, including strong project experience in renewable energy or a similar practice across Washington and Oregon.
• Experience developing permitting strategies and securing local land use approvals for renewable energy projects.
• Experience obtaining Conditional Use Permits and Special Use Permits for utility-scale energy projects.
• Familiarity with county and municipal permitting processes throughout the Pacific Northwest.
• Experience evaluating permitting constraints, variance opportunities, and project optimization strategies for developers.
• Experience supporting projects reviewed through the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) and Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) processes.

Key Responsibilities

Manage renewable energy permitting projects throughout Oregon and Washington, including utility-scale solar, battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind energy, transmission, and other energy infrastructure projects. This includes projects undergoing review through the Oregon Energy Facility Siting Council (EFSC) and Washington Energy Facility Site Evaluation Council (EFSEC) processes, as well as county and municipal land use approvals.

Manage and perform complex permitting efforts with an emphasis on local, state, and federal permitting, including compliance associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), and regulations administered by agencies such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and relevant state agencies.

Oversee project delivery activities, including report writing, data collection, data and literature review, and development of client recommendations.

Manage preparation of discipline-specific reports, permitting documents, and state-level environmental reviews consistent with applicable federal, state, and local regulatory requirements and compliance processes, including EFSEC/EFSC and federal water and biological resource regulations.

Serve in roles ranging from Project Manager and Task Manager to Technical Expert and QA/QC Reviewer of project deliverables.

Provide technical, subject matter, and project management expertise related to permitting strategies, due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and quality control reviews.

Prepare technical proposals and participate in business development activities with existing clients and new opportunities while helping expand ERM's growing renewable energy practice.

Manage projects within established quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations.

Collaborate with ERM practitioners across disciplines to execute impact assessments and capital project permitting initiatives, including baseline studies, environmental impact assessments, routing studies, land planning, facility siting, and permitting.

Expand ERM's market presence and client relationships through trusted advisory services, business development efforts, and delivery of high-quality, reliable solutions.

For the Principal Consultant, Renewables Project Manager position, the anticipated annual base pay is $110,000–$161,000 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays), parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k), and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Who We Are:

As the largest global pure play sustainability consultancy, we partner with the world’s leading organizations, creating innovative solutions to sustainability challenges and unlocking commercial opportunities that meet the needs of today while preserving opportunity for future generations.

At ERM we know that creating a diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment is an essential part of making our company a great place to build a career. We also see our diversity as a strength that helps us create better solutions for our clients. Our diverse team of world-class experts supports clients across the breadth of their organizations to operationalize sustainability, underpinned by our deep technical expertise in addressing their environmental, health, safety, risk and social issues. We call this capability our “boots to boardroom” approach for its comprehensive service model that allows ERM to develop strategic and technical solutions that advance objectives on the ground or at the executive level.

Please submit your resume and brief cover letter.

ERM does not accept recruiting agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our jobs alias, ERM employees or any other company location. ERM is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.

ERM is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Thank you for your interest in ERM!

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