Principal Technical Consultant, Impact Assessment

Lead the Permitting Strategies Powering the U.S. Energy Transition

ERM is seeking a Principal Technical Consultant, Impact Assessment & Permitting to play a critical leadership role in shaping and delivering environmental impact assessment and permitting strategies for some of the most complex energy and capital infrastructure projects across the United States.

This is a strategic, client-facing role for an experienced environmental professional ready to take full ownership of project delivery, business development, and team leadership—while contributing to ERM’s continued growth in the energy sector and the transition to a low‑carbon economy. Based in Charleston, West Virginia, this position offers the opportunity to build a strong regional practice while collaborating closely with ERM’s global technical experts to share best practices and deliver best‑in‑class solutions.

Why This Role Matters

Energy infrastructure development in the U.S. is accelerating—and navigating environmental permitting, regulatory compliance, and impact assessment has never been more complex or more important. In this role, you will sit at the intersection of regulation, sustainability, and development, helping clients move critical projects forward responsibly while meeting federal, state, and local requirements.

You will be accountable for both technical excellence and commercial success, supporting ERM’s mission to deliver sustainable solutions that enable responsible growth.

What Your Impact Is

• Enable the successful development, construction, and operation of commercial‑scale energy facilities, including natural gas, renewable energy (solar and wind), and data centers
• Lead and deliver environmental impact assessment, NEPA, and permitting programs for high‑profile capital projects
• Build and sustain a profitable, high‑performing regional business while contributing to ERM’s national and global energy portfolio
• Mentor and develop team members, fostering collaboration, quality, and technical excellence
• Support the U.S. low‑carbon economy transition through strategic permitting and regulatory leadership

What You’ll Bring

You are a seasoned environmental permitting professional with deep regulatory expertise, strong client instincts, and the ability to manage complex, fast‑paced projects. You are equally comfortable leading technical work, advising clients strategically, and contributing to business development efforts—all while mentoring others and maintaining a strong commitment to safety and quality.

Required

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in environmental studies, environmental management, wetland science, planning, geography, or a related natural resources science field. Or equivalent experience.
• At least 8 years of project management, licensing, and permitting experience, including strong project experience in natural gas or renewable energy
• Experience preparing NEPA‑type documents for federal and/or state agencies and providing strategic‑level Capital Project Delivery support
• Experience with federal, state, and local permitting, including preparation of applications and documents related to energy project development
• Experience assisting clients in obtaining permits and approvals for new or expanded facilities
• Regulatory experience within West Virginia, Virginia, and North Carolina (including local permitting challenges, land use, and state permitting)
• Experience overseeing and coordinating desktop and online studies or research on natural resource or resource planning topics, including GIS and map interpretation (NWI, USGS, aerial photography)
• Demonstrated ability to research and prepare concise, accurate technical documents, including presenting findings to clients, stakeholders, and/or regulatory agencies
• Excellent written and verbal communication, organizational, and analytical skills
• Ability to multi‑task, maintain flexibility, travel, and work independently with minimal supervision
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop team members; strong people skills; responsive, collaborative, versatile, and service‑oriented
• 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.  
• Strong commitment to safety

Preferred

• Regulatory experience in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, and Kentucky
• Experience contributing technical, subject matter, or project management expertise to permitting strategies, including Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act compliance
• Experience with due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, and impact assessment deliverables

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and perform multi‑media permitting and compliance for technology and energy infrastructure projects, including data centers, natural gas, and renewable energy (solar and wind)
• Manage and provide technical assistance on NEPA projects and related activities supporting client development initiatives
• Lead and oversee the preparation of permitting documents, including report writing, data collection, literature review, and development of client recommendations
• Provide expertise on permitting strategies, due diligence reviews, impact assessments, and quality control reviews
• Prepare technical proposals and actively participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads
• Support the growth of ERM’s renewable energy portfolio and project teams
• Manage projects within quality, budget, schedule, and scope expectations
• Collaborate with ERM practitioners to deliver impact assessment and capital project permitting, including baseline studies, routing studies, land planning, and facility siting and permitting

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!