Permitting Specialist

Title: Permitting Specialist
Department: Estimation/Preconstruction
Location: Houston, TX
Supervisor: Director of Project Control
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Status: Permanent, Full-Time

Work Status (Remote/Hybrid/In-Office): Hybrid

PERMITTING SPECIALIST

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (Qcells USA), headquartered in Houston, TX, specializes in providing utility-scale modules, solar photovoltaic (PV), and battery energy storage systems (BESS) project development, along with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects nationwide. Qcells USA delivers comprehensive turnkey solutions encompassing the entire utility-scale project lifecycle. By choosing Qcells USA for turnkey solutions, customers can reduce uncertainty and risk, leading to enhanced investment returns and contributing to a more sustainable future.

Qcells USA’s complete turnkey solutions seamlessly integrate the expertise of our Development, Module, and EPC teams, while ensuring close coordination with other vital internal groups such as Project Finance, Systems Integration, and Legal. This collaborative approach ensures that Qcells USA projects deliver exceptional value and performance. With several multi-billion-dollar investments, Qcells is pioneering the establishment of the only complete module supply chain in the U.S., including the expansion of our Georgia module manufacturing facility, which stands as the largest in the Western Hemisphere.

As an integral part of the global Qcells brand, Qcells USA benefits from a legacy of excellence in photovoltaic manufacturing. Qcells is renowned worldwide for its high-performance, superior-quality solar cells and modules. With dual headquarters in Seoul, South Korea (Global Executive HQ) and Thalheim, Germany (Technology & Innovation HQ), Qcells operates under the umbrella of Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Permitting Specialist will play a critical role in ensuring the successful development and implementation of our solar projects by identifying, managing, and coordinating all requirements to secure project permits. This individual will be responsible for obtaining permits from local, state, and federal agencies, with a focus on environmental, building, grading, stormwater, driveway, and other ministerial permits. As a key member of the EPC management team the, Permitting Specialist is expected to draw upon fundamental construction and engineering background and direct experience to lead all project permitting efforts in support of the successful build out of our EPCC Utility scale ground mount PV and ESSpower plants. 

The Permitting Specialist will report to Director of Preconstruction of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another senior management personnel that the CEO of the Company may designate.This position is hybrid, based out of our Houston, TX office, requiring up to 4 days per week in the office. Standard workinghoursare Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. This positionisexpected to travelup to 20%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES
 

·          Leadership

•           Lead and manage permitting efforts on multiple preconstruction projects through the preconstruction life-cycle fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment across all internal departments.
•           The Sr. Permitting Manager will be the leader responsible for all permitting efforts and will lead a team of permitting managers across all projects.
•           Lead a team of consultants that aid in all of the permitting tasks within a project.

·          Permit Identification

•           Develop a project specific permitting matrix for each project that identifies all applicable permits needed by the EPC to conduct the work.
•           Review Owner provided permitting matrix to ensure accuracy to our understanding of the needs for the project.
•           Review and comment permitting exhibits and related language within the EPC Agreement to ensure the scope and DOR are inline with Contractors expectations.

·          Permit Management

•           Once the project permits are identified manage the process for obtaining such applicable permits.
•           Generate a clear understanding of the permitting process for each individual permit including cost and associated schedule/timing requirements.

·          Permitting Coordination

•           Coordinate with the Owner on permitting needs and any other support that Contractor would need to provide to Owner in order to obtain use permits.
•           Coordinate and consult with the project engineer of record and internal engineering team to understand the permitting requirements and any design constraints applicable to each permit.
•           Hire and communicate with consultants to ensure project needs are met.
•           Communicate directly with our internal environmental team to coordinate on specific environmental permitting requirements.
•           Liaise with all internal stakeholders including the project management, project controls, and estimation teams to inform them on  cost and schedule impacts that permitting has on the project.

·          Compliance, Documentation, and Risk Assessments

•           Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and permit conditions throughout the project lifecycle.
•           Prepare and submit permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and other required documentation to regulatory agencies.
•           Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential permitting challenges and develop mitigation strategies accordingly.

·          Regular attendance, in accordance with the company’s attendance policy and supervisory assignment, is an essential job duty requirement for this position.

·          Perform other duties and special projects as assigned by Management.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

·          Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred;

·          Graduate degree in a related field is highly preferred;

·          Minimum of 5 years of experience in permitting management for large-scale renewable energy projects, preferably in the solar industry;

·          Strong understanding of local, state, and federal permitting regulations and processes.

·          Proven track record of successfully obtaining permits for complex projects within strict timelines;

·          Have insight to highlight key risk factors and provide and deliver best EPC cost estimates related to permitting;

·          Understanding of solar module manufacturing and O&M experience is a plus;

·          Ability to manage and lead large technical organizations, including significant experience managing consultants;

·          Capability to interact with leadership cross-culturally, both within and outside the organization;

·          Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills;

·          Strong team player with high degree of professionalism in which one conducts self at all times;

·          Willingness to travel domestically and internationally;

EXAMPLES OF PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Stationary Position: frequently remains stationary up to 90% of the time and sitting up to 8 hours in a day
• Move/Traverse: infrequently bend, stand, stoop and/or walk
• Carry Weight: infrequently carry weight and/or lift objects (light to heavy) weighing up to 10 pounds
• Hearing and Speech: frequently communicates with the ability to hear and talk on a regular basis with employees, coworkers, and all personnel matters; must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations
• Sight: frequent use of sight to detect images on computer, office documents, and office objects near and far
• Climb: occasionally ascends/descends on stairway to get to office upper and lower floors
• Travel: up to 20% as needed

EXAMPLES OF WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Regular professional, office business setting
• Noise level ranges from low to moderate (if in office setting)
• Noise level ranges from moderate to high (if on construction worksite)
• Under the Office Mobilization Plan (OMP) policy, the role may transition to an onsite or hybrid arrangement, as determined by business needs and the Head of Department

Hanwha Qcells is proud to be an at-will Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibits discrimination against race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, citizenship, disability, protected veteran status and any other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.  This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

It is important to note that the job descriptions provided by Qcells USA Corp are not intended to be comprehensive lists of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the positions. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice, reflecting our dynamic and evolving work environment.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.  As part of this commitment, Hanwha Qcells will provide reasonable accommodations to all qualified individuals with disabilities to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment.  Please contact us to request accommodations at

hr-usa@qcells.com