Senior Hydropower Regulatory Specialist

Grounded in safety, quality, and ethics, our experts lead their fields with dedication, a creative spirit, and a vision for growth. We draw from more than 20 technical specialties worldwide and are devoted to fostering a community of diverse talents, backgrounds, and expertise. Here, you can apply your passion and collaborate with top environmental professionals on work that’s vital to our clients and the communities they serve.Join a team that’s naturally committed to the environment.Stantec’s Environmental Services team is seeking a Senior Hydropower Regulatory Specialist to lead complex hydroelectric licensing, compliance, decommissioning, and water infrastructure projects in Central and Northern California. This senior role will provide regulatory and project-delivery leadership, advise clients, build and maintain client relationships, secure new work, and mentor multidisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge of FERC regulatory processes and a demonstrated ability to deliver complex projects within scope, schedule, and budget while expanding Stantec’s hydropower and water resources practice.Your Key ResponsibilitiesTechnical ConsultingLead complex hydropower and water resources planning projects delivered by multidisciplinary teams, strategic partners, and subconsultants.Serve as the primary client contact and provide strategic guidance on hydroelectric licensing, permitting, compliance, decommissioning, and water resources planning.Direct project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, staffing, and communications; review project status reports, invoices, and change orders.Coordinate with clients, regulators, stakeholders, internal technical specialists, consultants, contractors, and vendors to resolve complex environmental and regulatory issues.Lead contract negotiations and project delivery strategies that strengthen client service and create opportunities for follow-on work.LeadershipBuild, lead, and mentor a high-performing team through targeted hiring, coaching, training, and performance development.- Develop staff capabilities in technical reporting, FERC regulatory processes, CEQA/NEPA planning, and project delivery.Create meaningful assignments and leadership opportunities that support the growth of junior- and mid-level staff.Client DevelopmentCultivate client relationships, identify and position for new opportunities, and develop strategies to expand Stantec’s hydropower and water resources practice.- Lead capture planning, proposal development, and client interviews for strategic pursuits.Build productive, trusted relationships with clients, regulators, teaming partners, and other stakeholders.-Your Capabilities and CredentialsDeep knowledge of FERC hydropower licensing and regulatory processes, including new licenses, relicensing, license amendments, exemptions, compliance, and other regulatory authorizations.Demonstrated success leading FERC hydropower projects, hydroelectric compliance programs, decommissioning efforts, and/or CEQA/NEPA water infrastructure projects from strategy through completion.Strong background in California hydropower and water resources, including experience navigating the state’s regulatory, permitting, and stakeholder environment.Ability to evaluate regulatory and permitting pathways and develop practical strategies based on project characteristics, risks, and proposed modifications.Proven ability to direct large, multidisciplinary projects and programs with significant technical, regulatory, financial, and stakeholder complexity.Demonstrated success developing client relationships, positioning for new opportunities, leading proposals and interviews, and securing follow-on work.Strong leadership, mentoring, communication, negotiation, and decision-making skills, with the judgment to identify emerging issues and initiate corrective action.Ability to prioritize competing demands, collaborate across disciplines and leadership styles, and deliver accurate, high-quality work in a changing environment.Education and ExperienceBachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, engineering, or a related field and at least 10 years of progressively responsible experience leading hydropower licensing, compliance, decommissioning, or CEQA/NEPA water infrastructure projects. An advanced degree may substitute for a portion of the required experience.Demonstrated experience managing multidisciplinary teams and delivering high-quality work within contractual, financial, schedule, and quality requirements.Strong project financial management skills, including budgeting, forecasting, scheduling, invoicing, and change management.Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Excel, SharePoint, and Adobe Acrobat.This position has the flexibility of working in a hybrid work environment with a mix of remote work and in office work. Typical office environment working with computers and remaining sedentary for long periods of time.This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.#StayInquisitvePay Range:• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, CT, NJ, VA Areas-$113,400.00 - $170,200.00 AnnuallyPay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreementsPrimary Location: United States | CA | SacramentoOrganization: BC-1857 EnvSvcs-US West N CaliforniaEmployee Status: RegularManagement Level: Individual contributorBusiness Justification: New PositionTravel: YesSchedule: Full timeJob Posting: 06/11/2026 04:11:03Req ID: 1008688Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.