Principal Consultant, Biologist/Regulatory Specialist, Power and Renewables

Principal Consultant – Biologist/Regulatory Specialist

Drive the future of renewable energy development. Are you ready to lead complex environmental permitting for some of California's most transformative power and renewable projects? At ERM, the world's leading sustainability consultancy, we help organizations deliver capital projects that meet environmental and social performance objectives while accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy. We are seeking a Principal Consultant – Biologist/Regulatory Specialist to join our Capital Project Delivery team and shape the future of sustainable infrastructure.

Why This Role Matters

California's energy and infrastructure projects are critical to meeting climate goals—but they require navigating complex regulatory landscapes and environmental challenges. ERM's Capital Project Delivery team is trusted by leading utilities and developers to manage these complexities. As a Principal Consultant, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring projects succeed while protecting natural resources and meeting compliance standards.

What Your Impact Is

• Lead environmental permitting and regulatory compliance for large-scale power and renewable projects.
• Serve as a trusted advisor to California utilities and technology clients on CEQA/NEPA and natural resource permitting.
• Drive innovation in impact assessment and permitting strategies to accelerate project timelines.
• Mentor and develop emerging talent while contributing to ERM's growth trajectory.
• Position ERM as the go-to partner for complex capital project delivery in California.

What You'll Bring

Required:

• BS/MS in biology, environmental science, or related field.
• 6+ years of consulting experience with substantial expertise in California electric/gas transmission and generation markets.
• Proven track record delivering multi-million-dollar environmental programs or winning strategic projects.
• Established relationships with California utilities (PG&E, SCE, Sempra) and key regulators.
• Strong knowledge of CEQA/NEPA impact assessment best practices and permitting processes.
• Business acumen to identify opportunities and deliver enterprise-wide solutions.

Preferred:

• Experience cultivating new client relationships with Bay Area technology, media, and telecommunications companies.
• Recognized technical authority and positive reputation with regulatory agencies.
• Strong leadership skills with a passion for mentoring and team development.

Key Responsibilities

• Serve as Project Biologist/Regulatory Specialist for CEQA/NEPA impact assessments and natural resource permitting.
• Prepare technical studies and environmental impact documents (EIRs, Biological Constraints Reports).
• Develop permit strategies, prepare applications, and negotiate conditions with state and federal agencies.
• Direct permitting and compliance for telecom, energy infrastructure, and linear development projects.
• Collaborate with Account Directors to expand ERM's services and deliver strategic value to clients.
• Mentor consultants, identify emerging talent, and foster a high-performance team culture.
• Drive innovation within ERM's Impact Assessment and Planning service offering.
• Ensure compliance with health & safety standards, financial targets, and client satisfaction metrics.

Why Join ERM?

• Be part of ERM's fastest-growing global service area, with over 1,000 CPD professionals worldwide.
• Work on some of the most challenging and high-profile development projects in the world.
• Access a clear path to partnership after demonstrating leadership and performance success.
• Collaborate with a global network of sustainability experts and thought leaders.

For the Principal Consultant, Biologist/Regulatory Specialist, Power and Renewables position, the anticipated annual base pay is $111,000 –$ 160,905 (USD). Actual pay will depend on factors such as education, experience, skills, location, performance, and business needs. In some cases, pay may fall outside this range. This role may be eligible for bonus pay (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

We offer a comprehensive benefits package, including paid time off, parental leave, medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance, 401(k) or RRSP/DPSP, and other applicable benefits to eligible employees.

Note: Bonuses, commissions, and other forms of additional compensation are not guaranteed and subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures.

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.