Environmental Permitting Lead - VA/WV

We are seeking an Environmental Permitting Lead to support the planning, permitting, and delivery of electric transmission projects. This role will help secure environmental approvals and maintain regulatory compliance across project phases, from early routing and feasibility through construction, restoration, and closeout.

Due to projects being mostly situated in Virginia and West Virginia, preference of location is there. Otherwise, the role is available to states: Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina too.

The successful candidate will demonstrate sound judgment, strong organizational and communication skills, and the ability to work collaboratively across engineering, environmental, regulatory, real estate, legal, and stakeholder-engagement disciplines.

Core functions of the job may include:

• Lead and oversee comprehensive environmental permitting strategies for complex, large-scale electric transmission projects.

• Direct the preparation, technical review, and submission of major permit applications, technical reports, agency correspondence, and supporting documentation.

• Oversee environmental impact assessments, routing evaluations, field studies, and technical investigations to mitigate project risks.

• Serve as a primary senior liaison with project leaders, engineering teams, regulators, municipalities, and key community stakeholders.

• Maintain oversight of regulatory compliance records, agency decisions, permit commitments, and project documentation.

• Provide expert interpretation of complex environmental regulations and integrate compliance requirements into project execution plans.

• Oversee the procurement, budgeting, and performance of environmental consultants and specialty subcontractors.

• Promote safe work practices and ensure health, safety, environmental, and quality standards are embedded across all project activities.

The role combines office-based project coordination with periodic travel and field work. Field activities may involve walking over uneven terrain, exposure to variable weather and construction conditions, and compliance with site-specific safety requirements.

Primary responsibilities:

• Establish overall permitting strategy, project schedules, and risk-management approaches for major electric transmission projects.

• Lead complex or high-risk environmental permitting matters involving multiple jurisdictions, agencies, or regulatory programs.

• Advise executive project leadership on routing, design, schedule, cost, public involvement, and compliance implications.

• Direct agency engagement and lead negotiations involving significant regulatory, environmental, or stakeholder issues.

• Provide authoritative review of permit applications, environmental analyses, alternative evaluations, and project commitments.

• Anticipate regulatory developments and emerging risks, recommending proactive strategic responses.

• Resolve complex conflicts among technical disciplines, agencies, consultants, and project stakeholders.

• Coach and develop permitting staff, establish consistent practice standards, and promote knowledge sharing.

• Support proposal preparation, project strategy, client/agency presentations, and business development initiatives.

• Represent the organization in high-visibility meetings, public hearings, agency inspections, and professional forums.

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental science, environmental planning, natural resources, geology, biology, engineering, planning, public policy, or a related field.

• 8+ years of progressive experience leading strategic environmental permitting, complex agency coordination, and multidisciplinary project teams on linear infrastructure projects.

• Proven ability to independently drive project-level permitting strategy and compile complex environmental filings.

• Advanced expertise interpreting complex environmental regulations, permit conditions, technical studies, and regulatory correspondence.

• Executive-level written and verbal communication skills with demonstrated experience presenting to regulatory bodies, clients, and public stakeholders.

• Strong track record of managing competing priorities, project schedules, risk mitigation, and stakeholder negotiations.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and common project-documentation tools.

• Ability and willingness to participate in site visits, field activities, public hearings, and high-level agency meetings.

• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel up to 20% of time, as needed, are required.

Ideally, You'll Also Have:

• Extensive experience permitting electric transmission lines, substations, renewable-energy facilities, pipelines, transportation projects, or other major linear infrastructure.

• Comprehensive experience navigating complex federal, state, county, and municipal permitting processes.

• In-depth knowledge of NEPA, State Environmental Quality Review processes, Sections 401/404 of the Clean Water Act, the Endangered Species Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, and comparable regional requirements.

• Demonstrated success directing environmental consultants and reviewing technical deliverables for quality and regulatory alignment.

• Experience with permitting databases, GIS applications, environmental constraints mapping, and document-management systems.

• Proven leadership in construction compliance management, permit modifications, agency inspections, or post-construction restoration monitoring.

• Relevant professional registrations or certifications, such as Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS), Certified Environmental Professional (CEP), AICP, OSHA training, or similar credentials.

• Due to projects being mostly situated in Virginia and West Virginia, preference of location is there. Otherwise, the role is available to states: Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina too.

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Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.