Job Description

About US Solar

US Solar is a developer, owner, operator, and financier of solar and solar + storage projects, with a focus on emerging state markets, community solar programs, distributed generation and small-scale utility projects nationwide.

US Solar is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We believe diverse teams and diverse perspectives lead to better outcomes and breakthrough thinking, which are differentiators in any business and fundamental to our long-term success.

PERMITTING SPECIALIST

US Solar is seeking a Permitting Specialist in its Chicago office. The Permitting Specialist will join the Project Development team to perform permitting diligence, prepare permitting application packages and present our applications at permitting hearings. The successful candidate will be responsible for all stages of land use permitting – from ordinance review to permit compliance – for our distributed generation (DG) solar and Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects.

Responsibilities

• Research and understand permitting laws, especially those of the local permitting authority
• Connect with planning and zoning staff and administrators (some will require in-person visits) to build a relationship; understand their process and set expectations regarding our application timeline; confirm submission requirements, deadlines and agenda
• Summarize constraints that may impact the layout of the project from a permitting perspective (i.e., setbacks, landscape screening, access requirements)
• Create checklists of application requirements and flag long-lead items for early kick-off to eliminate bottlenecks in the permitting process
• Create the application package for land use permitting and all associated materials in coordination with the lead Project Developer
• Work with finance to pay any fees and fund any financial sureties related to permitting
• Coordinate and execute on community/neighbor engagement
• Ensure the jurisdiction confirms our applications are complete
• Track permit hearing schedules and provide those dates to the lead Project Developer
• When deemed necessary by the lead Project Development, present in person at permitting hearings
• Review the staff report to find any quotable segments in support of our project, as well as flag items of concern including problematic permit conditions
• Coordinate with the landowners of the project to ensure they attend and speak in support of the project
• Collect and store permitting documents issued to US Solar by the permitting jurisdiction
• Draft and submit Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements (AIMA) to the state
• Perform initial due diligence of construction permitting (only for projects US Solar intends to build) to streamline the construction permitting process, which will ultimately be performed by another in-house team

Experience/Qualifications

• 2-5 years of development land use permit experience, experience within Illinois or the solar industry preferred
• Familiar with reviewing and discussing state and local permitting ordinances
• Experience in reviewing project site plans, wetland delineation reports, Endangered Species Submittals, etc.
• Ability to handle many projects simultaneously and track their respective requirements and timelines
• Ability to multitask and work well under deadlines
• Excellent public speaking skills
• Excellent written and verbal communicator
• Flexible to work in the office, at home, and on the road
• Proficient with Microsoft suite

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