Managing Consultant, Project Manager, Environmental Permitting Specialist

Lead the future of energy infrastructure—where regulatory expertise meets real-world impact. At ERM, we’re looking for a Managing Consultant, Environmental Permitting Specialist, based in Minneapolis, Minnesota (open to other locations in the U.S.) who’s ready to step into a strategic, high-impact role supporting complex energy projects across the country. In this position, you won’t just be navigating regulations—you’ll be shaping how critical infrastructure projects move forward responsibly, efficiently, and sustainably. From pipelines to renewable energy developments, your work will directly influence projects that power communities while protecting the environment.

Why This Role Matters

Energy infrastructure is evolving rapidly, and the need for sustainable, compliant solutions has never been greater. As an Environmental Permitting Specialist and FERC Generalist at ERM, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the future of energy projects—from natural gas pipelines to renewable energy developments. This is your opportunity to join a global leader in sustainability consulting and make a tangible impact on projects that power communities and protect the environment. This role can be based anywhere in the United States.

What Your Impact Is

You’ll be the go-to expert for environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, ensuring projects meet federal, state, and local requirements. Your work will directly influence the success of major energy initiatives, helping clients navigate complex regulations while advancing cleaner, more efficient energy solutions.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in natural science or engineering discipline or equivalent experience
• 4+ years (6+ years preferred) of relevant experience in environmental permitting or regulatory compliance
• Project Management experience
• Strong knowledge of MS Office Suite
• Effective written and verbal communication skills with strong organizational and analytical capabilities; experience preparing detailed technical reports and documentation is preferred.
• Experience conducting desktop and online research across a variety of natural resource and resource planning topics.
• Experience using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and interpreting mapping resources, including National Wetland Inventory, U.S. Geological Survey data, and aerial photography.
• Strong spreadsheet and database skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong troubleshooting, problem-solving, and mechanical aptitude.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain flexibility, travel as needed, and work independently with limited supervision.
• Ability to assess risks, anticipate issues, and make tactical and strategic decisions.
• Excellent technical writing and communication skills for diverse audiences.

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. Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain flexibility, travel as needed, and work independently with limited supervision. Proven ability to work independently, multitask, and maintain flexibility.

Preferred

• Experience permitting energy projects (e.g., pipelines, renewable energy, electric transmission)
• Experience with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) processes
• Experience with state siting and routing applications
• Familiarity with natural resource management and regulatory agencies (e.g., U.S. Army Corps of Engineers)
• Consulting or field experience, including active construction sites
• Working knowledge of ArcGIS software and field survey techniques

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare permit applications for energy and industrial projects in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations
• Evaluate regulatory requirements and maintain accurate records and survey reports
• Develop technical project documents, including data tables, spreadsheets, and engineering calculations
• Assist in project planning, scheduling, and progress reporting
• Communicate effectively with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders, providing clear recommendations and guidance
• Uphold ERM’s commitment to safety and sustainability in all project activities
• Prepare proposals and actively participate in business development and client relationship management

Salary and Benefits

For the Managing Consultant, Environmental Permitting Specialist position, the anticipated annual base pay is $92,500–$124,300 (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 subject to the sole discretion of ERM and its policies and procedures (casual and fixed term/flex force employees are not bonus eligible).

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, and floating holidays)
• Parental leave
• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, AD&D insurance
• 401(k)
• Other applicable benefits to eligible employees

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.

At ERM, sustainability is our business. We are the world’s largest advisory firm focused solely on sustainability, offering unparalleled expertise across business and finance. ERM partners with clients to operationalize sustainability at pace and scale, through our unique combination of strategic transformation and technical delivery capabilities. Our diverse global team of experts works with the world’s leading organizations to help them set clear sustainability targets, measure progress and operationalize strategy through deep implementation and business transformation. With more than 50 years of experience, our ability to integrate sustainability solutions and our depth and breadth of technical knowledge are why organizations choose to partner with us as their trusted advisor. Every one of us firmly believes in the potential to create value for our clients through an integrated approach to sustainability (because we have personally seen it and professionally achieved it). Our team members are passionate about client service. We work closely with our clients to help them operationalize their sustainability goals and meet their environmental, health and safety objectives while advancing ERM’s purpose through delivering tangible progress in what the United Nations coined The Decade of Action. Organizing our people across globally integrated communities of technical and strategic talent positions ERM to be a “boots to boardroom” leader in bringing that value creation to our clients, partners, and the world. We recruit exceptional professionals with a personal and professional passion for sustainability and nurture them to even greater success as specialists. We prepare our consultants to bring integrated, innovative and sustainable solutions to our clients and provide opportunities for ongoing development across a variety of subject areas related to technical, business, and personal growth. At ERM, effort pays off and becomes career defining work that leaves a positive imprint on our planet.

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!