Head of Permitting at Zanskar

Role OverviewTitle: Permitting ManagerHours: Full-time; SalariedLocation: Salt Lake City, UT (preferred), potential for hybrid Benefits Eligible: YesManager: Ryan McGrawMission – Why we exist and why we need you Geothermal energy is the most abundant renewable energy source in the world. However, historically it’s been hard to find and expensive to develop. At Zanskar, we’re using better technology to find and develop new geothermal resources in order to make geothermal a cost-effective and vital contributor to a carbon-free energy future. We are revolutionizing the exploration process, setting new industry standards for discovery rates and finding new prospects at an unprecedented scale.The growing development team at Zanskar is advancing a multi-gigawatt portfolio of firm, carbon-free energy projects, and the time has come to kickoff key permitting efforts. In close coordination with the teams at Zanskar and expert third-party consultants, you’ll be working with Federal, State, and local agencies across the western US to prepare applications and ultimately obtain critical discretionary permits to allow Zanskar to begin construction on a vast pipeline of geothermal energy projects. Outcomes - Problems you’ll solveSuccess in this role includes strategizing and deploying a defensible permitting strategy that ultimately provides financeable discretionary approvals to develop, construct, and operate new geothermal projects on both public and private lands across the west. This requires creative thinking, engagement and partnership with internal and external subject matter experts, and top-notch communication skills across a wide range of project stakeholders.

Competencies – What we’re looking for

The ideal candidate should demonstrate:

Excellent problem-solving skills

Strong project management, team leadership and technical writing/communications skills

Entrepreneurial and collaborative spirit with team-player mentality and ability to lead cross-functionally

A high degree of business acumen and experience with stakeholder engagement, particularly within the energy industry

Ability to effectively engage directly with federal, state, and local jurisdictions with authority and community leaders

Robust regulatory and agency expertise, including demonstrable success working through NEPA and county-level permitting requirements, in the western United States

Ability to work internally and with third-party consultants to avoid, minimize, and mitigate potential community impacts with the goal of accelerating construction of new geothermal energy projects while minimizing community impacts. 

All candidates require:

BS in related field; Masters in a relevant subject area a plus

5+ years of relevant experience in; environmental consulting, in-house energy development, permitting experience, and/or agency employment in the western United States. 

Experience permitting utility-scale energy projects in coordination with regulatory agencies

Location and Benefits

The position is based out of our headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah

Benefits include:

Paid holidays

18 days PTO + PTO accrual increase based on tenureMedical, dental & vision coverage

401k 

Stock options

Growth opportunities at a company with a direct impact in displacing carbon emissions

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