Senior Energy Transmission Regulatory Specialist

Position Description

ICF is seeking an experienced Senior Energy Transmission Regulatory Specialist to provide leadership within our ICF's Environment & Planning Division. The position will provide program and project management in support of environmental assessment, planning, permitting, compliance, and construction of power transmission systems and other utility  projects in California and other western regional states. Clients will include utilities and independent and renewable energy providers seeking authorization under state, federal, and local regulatory entities. The successful candidate will work closely with client project managers, engineers, construction teams, environmental specialists, and agency staff to lead environmental planning, permitting, compliance, and project implementation.

The primary duties of this position are to lead client relationships, grow ICF’s Energy Practice, manage environmental compliance processes (including California Environmental Quality Act [CEQA] and National Environmental Policy Act [NEPA]) and serve as a primary point of contact with private sector clients such as California-based utilities, renewable energy developers, commercial/residential/industrial developers, and engineering companies. Project management experience on larger project/program environmental impact analyses for planning and development, independently leading complex environmental planning and permitting for renewable energy, transportation/transit, and infrastructure projects with the support of multidisciplinary teams tasked with conducting research, preparing technical documents/deliverables, maintaining a robust understanding of CEQA and NEPA, and interfacing with external clients is required.

This role is fully remote and supports clients throughout California. A primary base within Sacramento County or the Bay Area is preferred.

What You Will Do

• Serve as a principal project manager or task manager as appropriate for environmental compliance of development projects, infrastructure projects, and land use plans, overseeing the preparation of documents, reports, presentations, technical memoranda, public notices, forms, and other work products.
• Manage a portfolio of clients with multiple projects, balancing environmental, permitting, schedule, and client priorities.
• Lead environmental review and permitting strategy for multiple utility infrastructure projects, identifying environmental constraints, regulatory requirements, permitting strategy and needs, and project risks from early planning through construction.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, construction teams, technical experts, and regulatory agencies to support project delivery and construction readiness.
• Maintain a thorough understanding of CEQA and NEPA, including staying up to date on case law and providing support on complex projects in order to accurately advise clients.
• Manage and author deliverables, including conducting research; write proficiently; and manage multiple project schedules with competing deadlines and budget constraints.
• Interface directly with key clients and help build and maintain great relationships.
• Lead business development and contribute in a meaningful way to bookings.
• Mentor less experienced staff.
• Strictly adhere to professional standards, including but not limited to: demonstrating consistency and reliability, timeliness in meeting project deadlines, maintaining clear and concise communication, and working responsibly on a team or independently.

What You Need to Have

• 8+ years of related professional work experience
• Experience with NEPA and CEQA compliance, Endangered Species Act compliance and Clean Water Act permitting.
• Experience working with California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requirements
• Experience working with agencies (local, state, and federal), electric transmission service providers, utilities and other energy companies, and transportation entities.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in urban planning, transportation/transit planning, environmental studies, or related field.
• Experience preparing and managing high-quality CEQA and NEPA documents for federal, state and local government agencies; and/or experience preparing and managing high-quality CEQA documents for utilities and private sector clients and engineering firms.
• Experience independently leading environmental review and compliance for utility projects.
• Experience obtaining environmental permits, reviewing technical studies such as those addressing biological resources, cultural resources, air quality, noise, traffic, visual resources, and hydrology.
• Several years of project management experience working within a private consulting firm.
• Business development experience and willingness to engage in business development.
• Serving in a leadership role either as a supervisor or task manager leading and mentoring moderate to large-size teams of staff and subconsultants.

Additional Qualifications:

• Established agency and client relationships with ability to market and win work successfully and effectively for the team, office and region as related to the energy, electric transmission, utility, and other industrial sectors (e.g., mining, high-tech).
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex interdisciplinary environmental planning projects, including client interaction, schedule and budget controls, and invoicing.
• Ability to synthesize multidisciplinary environmental and regulatory information and provide clear, practical guidance to project managers, engineers, and construction teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience interfacing with external clients, members of the general public, and government officials.
• Strong analytical skills, including attention to detail.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to take and give direction, stay organized, and manage time effectively.
• Commitment to overseeing preparation of high-quality work within established budgets and schedules.
• Strong work ethic with a positive attitude and thrives in a team-oriented setting, including ability to exercise tact and courtesy working with internal staff.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project).

Bot and Third-Party Applications

Please note that this application must be submitted directly by the applicant for consideration. Failure to do so may result in the application being excluded for consideration.  Applicants needing an accommodation for disability or religious purposes in connection with the application process should contact [email protected] for assistance.

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting-edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [email protected] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.  

Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act. 

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.  

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [email protected]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.  

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position.

The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is:

$108,006.00 - $183,610.00

California Remote Office (CA99)