Entering the wind trade in Holland, MI, often begins with specialized training and apprenticeship programs that combine practical experience with theoretical knowledge, allowing individuals to earn while they learn. These programs typically span several months to two years, requiring extensive on-the-job training under experienced professionals. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the wind energy sector is projected to grow by 60% from 2023 to 2033, with Holland, MI, emerging as a key regional hub for wind energy jobs. Apprentices in the area can expect to earn an average of $548 per week, with experienced professionals often surpassing $686.50 per week. Training programs and certifications from organizations like the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) are highly valued, providing aspiring wind trade professionals with the skills needed for a rewarding career in a rapidly expanding industry.
Position: Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power (Principal Level) ERM is seeking a Principal Consultant, Renewable Energy/Power overseeing Impact Assessment, Planning and Permitting for renewable energy facilities throughout the upper Midwest. This role will lead environmental impact assessment and permitting for various power facilities and other major capital development projects including solar developments, technology infrastructure and energy transmission projects. The ideal candidate will have experience permitting complex development projects in the power and/or technology sector along with technical expertise leading environmental, local, state-level, and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews for large-scale capital projects. It is preferred and desired that the candidate has experience developing permits and permitting strategies for renewable projects, particularly to support local land use permitting processes, including securing Conditional or Special Use Permits, identifying requirements or local municipalities and counties (e.g., buffer widths, vegetative screening, water quality monitoring, local storm water review criteria), analyzing the potential for variances, and working with developers to optimize layouts based on local permitting requirements. As part of ERM's planning team you will be leading consulting on a range of environmental, social, and health impact assessment projects to build a sustainable business both regionally and nationally, while networking with ERM's global technical teams to share best practices across the industry. This position will focus primarily on environmental impact assessment and federal, state and local permitting to facilitate the development, construction, and operation of commercial-scale energy facilities and support the low carbon economy transition in the U.S. Our portfolio of projects is often fast-paced, multi-faceted, and geographically diverse. The position will require a candidate to work both independently and with teams of subject matter experts, so successful candidate must have the ability to manage varying priorities and multiple tasks while forging a cohesive delivery team to meet concurrent deadlines on multiple projects. This is an excellent opportunity for an environmental professional looking to advance their career with a global environmental leader and be part of ERM's continuing growth in the power sector. RESPONSIBILITIES: Manage and perform complex permitting and compliance associated with renewable energy and tech sector development projects with an emphasis on local, state, and federal permitting, including but not limited to compliance associated with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and regulations of federal agencies such as U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and state-level agencies. Manage and lead the preparation of permitting documents for energy/industrial facility development, expansion, maintenance, or decommissioning, with a focus on local permitting. Overseeing project delivery activities such as report writing, data collection, data and literature review, and developing recommendations for clients. Manage preparation of discipline-specific reports, permitting documents, NEPA documents, and state-level environmental reviews consistent with applicable federal, state and local regulatory requirements. Serve in roles ranging from project manager, task manager, technical expert, and QA/QC of deliverables. Contribute technical, subject matter or project management expertise on permitting strategies, due diligence reviews, environmental critical issues assessments, impact assessment deliverables, and overall quality control review. Prepare technical proposals and participate in business development with existing clients and identified leads as well as help to expand our growing renewable projects and team. Manage and work within quality/budget/schedule expectations and scope-specific assignments. Collaborate with other ERM practitioners to execute impact assessment and capital project permitting (ERM services broadly include baseline studies, environmental impact assessment, routing studies, land planning, and facility siting &…
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