Renewable Energy Permitting Lead

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Permitting LEad to join our Renewables team in our Minneapolis, MN or Madison, WI office. Westwood has a highly experienced and dynamic team of individuals dedicated to providing high-level professional services to our clients. 

• Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood) is seeking a Permitting Lead for our Minneapolis office to assist clients in obtaining regulatory approvals for wind, solar, transmission and energy storage projects.
• The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in leading site and route permitting projects in the Midwest.
• Applicants should possess expertise with permitting processes such as Wisconsin Public Service Commission (PSC) Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), Minnesota Public Utility Commission (MPUC) Site and Route Permitting, North Dakota Public Services Commission (PSC) Certificate of Site or Route Compatibility, Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) Certificate, and the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) Certificate of Environmental Compatibility and Public Need (CECPN).
• The candidate will have considerable experience in renewable energy project development and permitting utility-scale wind, solar, and/or energy storage facilities, as well as high-voltage transmission lines. Experience with data center and collocated project permitting and approvals is a plus.
• Demonstrated knowledge of environmental reviews (federal NEPA and equivalent state programs), state site and route permit processes and applications, associated federal, state and local regulatory programs and permits, directing and managing environmental and cultural resources desktop and field investigations, and construction-related federal, state, and local approvals is essential, as well as having familiarity with specific application filing requirements, rules, and guidance for various Midwest states. Additionally, the candidate should have experience attending public hearings and meetings on behalf of clients and providing testimony.
• The successful candidate will be highly organized, possess effective communication skills, and demonstrate superior project management, writing, research, time management, project scheduling, quality assurance and related project skills. Responsibilities include managing projects, leading teams, drafting and reviewing permit applications, attending client meetings, interacting with design professionals, directing subject matter experts and administrative staff, mentoring junior staff, and developing work scopes and budget proposals for expanding business opportunities with new and existing clients.

• A Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental engineering, or related earth science; a master’s degree is preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in the renewable energy permitting field.
• Excellent communication and writing skills are essential, along with the ability to edit and conduct quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) on various reports, studies, and application documents prepared by others.
• The candidate must be a self-starter, resourceful, and capable of working productively on multiple projects simultaneously under strict deadlines.
• A proven ability to work with and manage developer and utility clients in the wind, solar, and/or energy storage, and electric transmission industries is required.

Westwood Professional Services Inc. (Westwood) was established in 1972 and has since become a leader in many of the markets it serves. Westwood is a full-service, multidiscipline professional engineering firm and serves wind, solar, power delivery, residential and commercial development, and public infrastructure clients and their projects from multiple offices across the U.S.

In 2023, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #12 and #30 respectively on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood two national 2nd place awards for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #79 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2023. The firm consistently ranks on industry top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement on award-wining projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.