Job Details

Sr. Manager, Permitting

Q Cells

Job Description

Hanwha Qcells USA Corp (“HQC US”) develops, invests, and delivers solar photovoltaic (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS) projects through Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services in North America.

The company brings a decade of global leadership in solar PV to deliver utility-scale power generation plants customized for local and regional energy markets. HQC US offers the full spectrum of PV solutions – from the core technology of cells and modulesto large-scale project development and investment. With proven capabilities across the solar and battery storage value chain, HQC US minimizes uncertainty and risk, and helps customers achieve a higher return on their investment in renewable energy.

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 umbrellaof Hanwha Group, a FORTUNE Global 500 company and one of the top 8 business conglomerates in South Korea.

SUMMARY

The Sr. Manager, Permitting 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 Sr. Manager, Permitting 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 self-perform MW scale ground mount PV and ESS power plants. Sr. Manager, Permitting will report to the Senior Director of Project Planning of Hanwha Q CELLS USA Corp., or another senior management personnel that the Vice President and/or President of the Company may designate. This position is remote (unless located in Irvine, CA) and working hours are Monday through Friday, from 8:00am to 5:00pm or 9:00am to 6:00pm local time. Overtime and weekend working hours may be required as needed. This position may travel up to 20%.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION & RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership

o 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.

o The Sr. Permitting Manager will be the leader responsible for all permitting efforts and will lead a team of permitting managers across all projects.

o Lead a team of consultants that aid in all of the permitting tasks within a project.

Permit Identification

o Develop a project specific permitting matrix for each project that identifies all applicable permits needed by the EPC to conduct the work.

o Review Owner provided permitting matrix to ensure accuracy to our understanding of the needs for the project.

o 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

o Once the project permits are identified manage the process for obtaining such applicable permits.

o Generate a clear understanding of the permitting process for each individual permit including cost and associated schedule/timing requirements.

Permitting Coordination

o 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.

o 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.

o Hire and communicate with consultants to ensure project needs are met.

o Communicate directly with our internal environmental team to coordinate and specific environmental permitting requirements.

o Liaise with all internal stakeholders including the project management, project controls, and estimation teams to inform them on any cost and schedule impacts that permitting has on the project.

Compliance, Documentation, and Risk Assessments

o Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and permit conditions throughout the project lifecycle.

o Prepare and submit permit applications, environmental impact assessments, and other required documentation to regulatory agencies.

o Conduct thorough risk assessments to identify potential permitting challenges and develop mitigation strategies accordingly.

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;

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

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)

Hanwha Q Cells 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.

We are committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, Hanwha Q Cells 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.

Nothing in this statement shall imply implicitly or explicitly a guarantee of employment outside our at-will employment opportunity.

Project Management documentation travel

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