Environmental Analyst V – Renewable Project Focused

This Senior Environmental Analyst position will provide environmental support for large capital energy projects as we continue our journey to carbon-free emissions.

Uses expert technical knowledge to plan and conduct multiple, medium-to-large, and important projects and programs to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental statutes and regulations. Under consultative direction and with considerable latitude for unreviewed actions and decisions, conducts important environmental related investigations requiring the application of improvement technology concepts and new approaches in the field. Responsible for reviewing progress, and evaluation of results. Possesses expertise in theories and principles in a given environmental field and applies that knowledge in creative and effective ways to a broad range of very difficult and complex assignments. Leads or directs special work teams, and serves as corporate environmental liaison with operating facility management and staff. Assignments are usually self-initiated.

Essential Responsibilities

• Plans and conducts multiple, medium-to-large, and complex projects designed to minimize deficiencies and ensure compliance with regulations and permits. Directs large site assessment/investigations/remediation projects as necessary. (Major areas may include: auditing, air permitting and compliance, water/wastewater permitting and compliance, land quality, radiological, above ground and underground storage tanks, emergency plans, DOT compliance, FAA safety regulations, and hazardous, liquid and solid waste disposal.)
• Consults on and negotiates on complex license and permit applications and agency inspection response actions to ensure compliance and favorable outcomes for Xcel with respect to existing federal, state, and local laws and regulations. Serves as a regulatory liaison between facilities and federal, state, and local agencies. Testifies at environmental hearings to support company position on environmental regulatory development.
• Designs and directs data collection, strategic studies, evaluations, and report development to support environmental regulatory requirements at Xcel facilities, proposed legislation, and/or emerging public issues, operating permit limits and/or potential environmental regulatory noncompliance.
• Develops training lesson plan content that meet Xcel Academy standards, maintains instructor qualifications, and provides regulatory compliance training to Xcel personnel as is regulatory required and/or customer requested.
• Monitors statutes, regulations, licenses, and/or permits for potential impacts to facility operations. Reviews proposed regulations, licenses, and/or permits to determine potential impacts to facility operations. Serves as the lead reviewer coordinating comments from others into a single company position recommendation.
• Prepares requests for proposals, contract agreements, and project estimates. Supports and/or selects and manages consultants and contractors.
• Assists others in developing, refining and implementing the strategic goals and objectives of Xcel Energy. Contributes to process teams concerning budget and regulatory compliance.
• Evaluates outcomes of incidents, regulatory inspections and internal audits of company owned facilities, contractors, and/or outside disposal facilities and conducts and/or assesses root cause analysis to ensure corrective actions adequately address the problem and non-compliance conditions are not repeated. Provides support for emergency environmental incidents as necessary.

Minimum Requirements

• BS/BA in environmental science, engineering, applied science, or related fields and eight years of progressively responsible environmental related work experience including, but not limited to environmental regulations, remedial procedures, audit procedures, and power generation processes.
• Demonstrated skills in technical writing, verbal communication, and negotiations. (Note: An Associate college degree in areas of environmental or applied science and three years of progressive responsibilities in related work experience may be substituted for the education requirement.
• The following additional advanced education in the field can be substituted for related work experience: MS/MA/MBA = 2 years; PhD/J.D. = 3 years.)

Preferred Requirements

• Prior experience working with threatened and endangered species surveys and take permitting; wetlands and waterways delineations and permitting; cultural and tribal resources surveys and outreach; vegetation management plans; construction stormwater, and Phase I and II site assessments.
• Prior knowledge or experience with MN PUC & WI PSC Permitting Processes
• Prior experience working in a renewable energy field