Environmental Technical Advisor - Power Delivery Permitting

Job Summary

Provides expert-level environmental and permitting expertise to support complex projects, program development, and staff growth across the Electric Transmission and Electric Distribution (Power Delivery) Environmental Permitting teams. This role serves as a technical mentor, quality reviewer, and process improvement accelerator, helping ensure regulatory compliance, program consistency, and alignment across electric transmission and electric distribution functions. 

Role requires significant coordination with environmental staff, internal and external project team stakeholders, and outside consultants/vendors.  Individual will interpret and assess regulatory requirements and champion process changes to improve consistency and efficiency across teams. Communicates changes in environmental laws and regulations to junior level staff and project teams, supporting development and implementation of strategies to comply with new requirements. Sponsors programs enhancing company public image and reputation, from an environmental point of view.

Provides guidance to operating personnel and junior level team members, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local environmental laws and regulations. Serves as liaison and negotiator between company and regulatory agencies for complex permits, regulations, and compliance. Represents company on environmental issues with public and the press.

Job Duties Include

• Serve as a technical lead on the team by mentoring junior staff on permitting strategies, regulatory interpretation, and best practices to support development of staff technical expertise.
• Provide QA/QC review of Stormwater Management (SWM) and Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) plans as well as land disturbance, wetland, and other resource permitting packages / strategies driving consistency in deliverables and assuring compliance with state and federal requirements.
• Subject Matter Expert in Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Stormwater (SWM) and Erosion & Sediment Control (ESC) regulations with a focus in supporting implementation of a Standards & Specifications program for Power Delivery.
• Subject Matter Expert in Clean Water Act 401/404
• Support junior-level staff in public and regulatory-facing settings through coaching, preparation, and real-time guidance.
• Provide support for improving processes, procedures, templates, regulatory interpretations, and program manuals to aid growth and development of team technical expertise and overall compliance with environmental rules and regulations.  
• Support communications in changes in environmental laws / regulations to E&S Power Delivery team and internal business units, shepherding implementation of regulatory compliance strategy as needed.
• Support team training goals through development of internal training, delivering instruction, and coordinating training opportunities with external vendors.
• Provide project support for up to 25-40% of workload, focusing on larger, more complex Electric Transmission projects requiring advanced expertise.
• User of and influencer of electronic databases to analyze and monitor company compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Adherence to Dominion Energy environmental policy, guidance, and work practices.
• Adherence to Dominion Energy safety rules and safety performance expectations; and
• Other duties as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills, Abilities & Experience

8 - 10+ years obtaining local, state, and federal environmental permits to support construction activities including water and wetlands impact permitting, threatened and endangered species assessments, cultural and historical resource reviews, as well as erosion and sediment control, and/or stormwater management permitting.  Primary focus in Virginia and North Carolina.

• Proven project management skills. Demonstrated ability to effectively manage details, multiple tasks, and hard deadlines is essential. 

• Considerable understanding of linear utility operations and business processes.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, to interface effectively with internal and external stakeholders.  Well-developed negotiation skills is a must.
• Excellent technical writing, public speaking, and communication skills.
• Ability to address environmental concerns and develop effective strategies proactively.
• Ability to influence regulatory bodies to support permitting strategies.
• Ability to interpret and communicate technical information to internal and external staff.
• Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and oversight.
• License or ability to obtain a license to operate a motor vehicle is required.  

Education Requirements

Bachelor preferred in Environmental Science or Engineering or other Environmental degree.

Licenses, Certifications, or Quals Description

VADEQ SWM/ESC Program Administrator certifications preferred.

VADEQ SWM/ESC Plan Reviewer certifications a plus.  

Working Conditions

Other Working Conditions

May be required to work in a field environment and exposed to extreme temperature and weather 25 - 50%.

Test Description