Regulatory & Permitting Specialist / Senior Regulatory & Permitting Specialist

Location

• This position will work out of BluEarth’s Calgary corporate office, located at 214-11 Avenue SW.
• This position is office-based and is eligible for BluEarth’s hybrid work program.

Reporting directly to the Director, Regulatory & Permitting (Canada), the Regulatory & Permitting Specialist is a member of the Origination and Development team. This role is accountable for managing environmental consultants’ scope, schedule, and budget; interpreting data and information; advising BluEarth management on environmental field studies and regulatory permitting requirements; and coordinating communications between government, consultants, and communities in support of BluEarth’s development projects located in Canada.

This position requires the coordination and management of environmental impact and monitoring studies, as well as related communications activities, including consultation and coordination with key stakeholders, regulators, and subject matter experts. This position will also provide critical technical management of environmental monitoring activities through the construction and operational phases of renewable energy projects. The focus is on the development side, up until project handoff to our internal pre-construction, construction, and asset management teams.

Key Accountabilities and Duties

• Advises on a wide range of environmental and regulatory activities from project concept up to construction and operation, ensuring the project team is set up for success.
• Advises the development team on a range of activities required to obtain and renew permits, approvals, authorizations, and licences related to environmental and regulatory aspects of project development, construction, and operation, including:
• Coordination and management of a range of environmental consultants, and technical and ecological subject matter experts;
• Coordination of field and desktop studies on environmental matters in support of regulatory applications or compliance;
• Preparation and submission of permitting applications and supporting documents, including large multi-disciplinary environmental effects assessments;
• Advising on BluEarth’s community consultation programs and activities, including public meetings.
• Monitors and provides recommendations to management on changes to local and regional environmental initiatives and regulatory policies and requirements.
• Upholds all aspects of BluEarth’s Environmental, Health & Safety policies, practices, and programs to ensure that projects are designed, developed, and approved to avoid occupational health and safety hazards and minimize environmental risks at BluEarth’s operations.
• Upholds BluEarth’s values.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree, or a technical certificate, in Environmental Science or Management, but consideration will be given to those who possess tangible and proven experience and skills.

Experience

• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in renewable energy and/or environmental assessment, natural resource monitoring, wildlife, and habitat impact assessment in Canada. Preference will be given to individuals with experience in multiple provincial regulatory frameworks.
• Proven ability to multitask and deliver internal work products on a frequent, regular basis.
• Registered biologist designation or a background in biology is considered an asset.
• Experience working alongside Indigenous peoples and communities is strongly preferred.
• Working knowledge and experience in wildlife survey and ecological assessment methodology, including the compilation and analysis of biological data and statistics, and the development of field sampling design.
• Experience in the fields common to renewable energy effects assessment, including avian (bird and bat) assessments, aquatic (fish and fish habitat) assessments, and vegetation/terrestrial habitat classification.
• An understanding of species-at-risk legislation, impact assessment, and approval processes.
• Demonstrated ability to provide project support to multiple concurrent projects and project development phases, including, but not limited to, provincial calls for power tenders.
• Significant and successful experience with environmental activities through all phases of project development, including permitting, construction, and operations.
• Ability to plan, schedule, track, and monitor permitting tasks and activities.
• Highly flexible and able to quickly adapt to changing priorities.
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written.

Personal Characteristics & Skills

• Team player who can complete deliverables independently when needed, while working alongside a broader team to achieve project and company goals.
• Takes ownership and accountability, and shares professional recommendations openly.
• Ability to step into the role and quickly gain an intimate knowledge of BluEarth’s operating procedures and standards.
• Ability to contextualize provincial regulatory frameworks for BluEarth development and regulatory staff and ensure changes to policy or permitting requirements are addressed in a timely manner.
• Ability to represent BluEarth in interactions such as regulatory hearings or council discussions.
• Strong work ethic and high integrity.
• Persistent, dedicated, and motivated, with a good sense of humour. Professional, respectful, and charismatic.
• Detail-oriented, with the ability to manage permitting administrative requirements (e.g., records of consultation).
• Able to earn the trust of others.
• Ability to work with detailed information, without losing sight of the big picture.

Job Requirements

• Ability to travel within Canada.
• Ability to work extended hours, as required.
• Valid driver’s licence.
• Flexibility to work in various settings including office environments, remote project development sites, operating facilities, and outdoors (with exposure to various weather conditions).
• Comfortable working near heavy, electrical, and rotating equipment.