Senior Permit Specialist

Position Summary:
The SENIOR PERMIT SPECIALIST is a senior technical and leadership role responsible for directing environmental planning, regulatory compliance, permitting, construction-phase oversight, and project closeout for complex electric transmission and related energy infrastructure projects throughout California and the western US. This position requires a minimum of 15 years of specialized California regulatory experience and a demonstrated ability to successfully navigate CEQA, secure multi-agency permits, manage construction compliance programs, and bring projects to full environmental closeout while protecting client schedules and budgets.

Essential Functions:
• Lead permitting strategies and execution for electric transmission and distribution projects, including CEQA support, multi-agency coordination, and full lifecycle compliance.
• Conduct and oversee CEQA analyses and documentation in support of permitting for complex linear infrastructure projects.
• Oversee and obtain administrative permits from cities, counties, state, and federal agencies for electric transmission and distribution projects.
• Oversee construction-phase permitting compliance, including monitoring, reporting, issue resolution, and coordination with regulatory agencies.
• Support project closeout activities, including final compliance documentation, permit terminations, and audit-ready records.
• Provide expert permitting guidance and risk assessment for linear infrastructure projects.
• Mentor junior staff on permitting best practices and conduct quality reviews of deliverables.
• Manage permitting workstream budgets, schedules, and support business development.
• Represent the organization in agency meetings and prepare permitting-related presentations.
• Acknowledge and participate in OMS H&S programs and trainings.
• Other duties as assigned by OMS or the client.

Qualifications:
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Planning, Environmental Science, Biology, Natural Resource Management, Urban/Regional Planning, or closely related field. Master’s degree strongly preferred.
• Minimum of eight (8) to ten (10) years of progressively responsible experience in California regulatory permitting for linear infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing permitting for electric transmission and distribution projects or similar linear infrastructure in California.
• Strong experience conducting CEQA analyses and supporting permitting for infrastructure projects.
• Proven track record obtaining and managing administrative permits from cities, counties, state, and federal agencies.
• Experience overseeing construction implementation, compliance monitoring, and project closeout.
• Comprehensive knowledge of California permitting regulations, CEQA, CPUC processes, and relevant federal and state laws.
• Strong project management, technical writing, communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Valid California driver’s license and ability/willingness to travel to project sites across California (approximately 20–40% travel, including occasional overnight stays).
• Conduct a background check, drug screening, and physical exam.
• Must have and maintain a clean driving record.

Preferred:
• Direct experience supporting California Investor-Owned Utilities (PG&E, Southern California Edison, or San Diego Gas & Electric) on electric transmission projects.
• Experience with NEPA and federal permitting preferred.
• PMP or AICP certification preferred.
• Familiarity with permitting tracking systems and GIS tools preferred.

Working Conditions:
HYBRID - Environmental Factors: Indoor and outdoor conditions; exposure to heat, cold, potentially hazardous chemicals, toxic materials; work on/walk on slippery or uneven and potentially mountainous terrain. Noise level is usually moderate. Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to, talk, hear, stand, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally stoop, bend, kneel, crouch lift, push, pull, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee frequently is required to stoop, bend, kneel, crouch, talk, hear, stand, walk for extended periods of time, walk long distances, sit during extended periods of time, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift, push, pull, and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. Ability to perform tasks during a typical 8+ hour workday.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY & DISCLAIMER
OMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
This position description is intended to convey the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required. Management reserves the right to add, modify, or remove duties and to assign other duties as necessary.