22 Oct
|
Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR)
|
Chennai
22 Oct
Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR)
Chennai
SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENTIST Field Studies & Permitting (Renewable Energy) Who We Are? Cleantech Industry Resources accelerates solar, wind, green hydrogen, battery storage, and EV infrastructure projects across the United States, India, and EMEA markets. The company provides turnkey “Development as a Service,” powered by 100% internal systems engineering and a world-class team that comes out of some of the most reputed organizations in the renewables industry. This team operates within a sophisticated software and AI environment to support projects from land origination, through to commercial operation. Location of Position:
• Burlington, Vermont (with nationwide field deployment)
What We Offer
• Opportunity to join a top-notch, collaborative team of professionals
• Fantastic team environment and collaborative culture
• Professional development opportunities to grow into an industry leader
• Medical Insurance for the employee and family
• Spot Recognition bonus for exceptional performance
• Long Term Incentive policy
• Regular team outings, events, and activities to foster a positive work environment Our Commitment to Diversity At CIR, we are dedicated to nurturing a diverse and equitable workforce that truly reflects our community. We deeply value each person’s unique perspective, skills, and experiences. CIR embraces all individuals, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or nationality. We are steadfast in our commitment to fostering a just and inclusive world through intentional policies and actions. Your individuality enriches our collective strength, and we strive to ensure everyone feels respected, valued, and empowered. Position Summary We are hiring a licensed, field-ready Senior Environmental Scientist who will personally run site studies for renewable energy projects across the US and sign the resulting reports as the qualified professional of record. This is a full-time, mid-to-senior individual contributor role reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Project Development, Engineering, and Operations teams. Today, CIR relies heavily on third-party consultants for Phase I ESAs, wetland delineations, threatened and endangered species studies, and other environmental assessments, which slows go/no-go decisions and limits our control over quality and schedule. This role brings these capabilities in-house: mobilizing to project sites, conducting field assessments, reviewing reports prepared by the team, addressing technical gaps, and providing professional approval and signature where authorized. You will be the environmental voice on early-stage siting and diligence. Your findings will decide whether a parcel moves forward, how a layout avoids sensitive resources, and what permits and mitigation a project will need. Lenders, tax-equity investors, and agencies will rely on the reports you sign. Core Responsibilities Phase I Environmental Site Assessments
• Plan and perform Phase I ESAs in line with ASTM E1527-21 and the EPA All Appropriate Inquiries rule (40 CFR Part 312).
• Conduct site reconnaissance, interviews with owners/occupants and local officials, and review of historical records, aerials, Sanborn maps, regulatory databases, and title/lien information.
• Identify Recognized Environmental Conditions (RECs), CRECs, HRECs, and de minimis conditions; recommend Phase II scope where warranted.
• Serve and sign as the “Environmental Professional” under 40 CFR 312.10. Wetland & Waters Delineation
• Delineate wetlands and other waters per the 1987 USACE Wetland Delineation Manual and the applicable Regional Supplement (hydrology, hydric soils, hydrophytic vegetation).
• Map streams,
ordinary high water marks, and potentially jurisdictional features; prepare delineation reports and support Approved/Preliminary Jurisdictional Determinations.
• Support Clean Water Act Section 404/401 permitting, including Nationwide Permits commonly used for renewables (e.g., NWP 51 for land-based renewable energy and NWP 57 for utility lines), and state wetland programs. Threatened, Endangered & Critical Habitat Studies
• Run desktop screenings (USFWS IPaC, state Natural Heritage databases, critical habitat mapping) and design species-specific field surveys.
• Perform or lead habitat assessments and presence/absence surveys for federally and state-listed species, following agency survey protocols.
• Support Endangered Species Act Section 7 consultation and Section 10 Habitat Conservation Plans/Incidental Take Permits where needed.
• Assess risks under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act, including eagle and avian use studies for wind projects. Biodiversity & Ecological Planning
• Prepare Biodiversity Management Plans, Bird and Bat Conservation Strategies (BBCS), and Eagle Conservation Plans aligned with the USFWS Land-Based Wind Energy Guidelines.
• Where projects are lender-financed, align plans with IFC Performance Standard 6 and Equator Principles requirements.
• Recommend avoidance, minimization, and mitigation measures, including layout micro-siting, seasonal work windows, and pollinator-friendly vegetation plans for solar sites. Reporting, Sign-off & Quality
• Write clear, defensible technical reports and sign them as the qualified professional of record (license seal where the state requires it).
• Maintain field data, photo logs, GPS/GIS records, and chain of custody to a standard that withstands lender, legal, and agency review.
• Brief project teams on findings, schedule risk, and permitting pathways; respond to agency and third-party reviewer comments. Renewable Energy Project Support
• Screen prospective solar, wind, BESS, and transmission sites early to flag fatal flaws before land or interconnection commitments.
• Contribute environmental inputs to NEPA documents (CE/EA/EIS) and state siting applications where there is a federal or state nexus.
• Manage and oversee subconsultants (labs, drillers, species specialists) when scope exceeds in-house capacity. Education Requirements
• Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Wildlife Biology, Geology, Soil Science, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field (required).
• Master’s degree in a related discipline (preferred). Licenses and Certifications
• The candidate must be qualified to sign environmental reports as an Environmental Professional (EP) and hold a recognized environmental professional license or certification. ????????
• Qualifies as Environmental Professional (EP) under 40 CFR 312.10 (US EPA definition)
• Professional Wetland Scientist (PWS) – Society of Wetland Scientists (required, or attainable within 12 months)
• OSHA 40-hour HAZWOPER with current 8-hour refresher
• Valid US driver’s license and clean driving record Strongly Preferred (one of the two)
• Professional Geologist (PG) or Professional Engineer (PE) – active US state license ?????????
• Certified Ecologist / Senior Ecologist – Ecological Society of America
• Certified Wildlife Biologist (CWB) – The Wildlife Society
• Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP) – Institute of Professional Environmental Practice Technical Skills and Experience Software Proficiency
• ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Field Maps / Survey123, and GPS units
• Aerial imagery and soil surveys (USDA Web Soil Survey) ?????????? ?????????
• Working knowledge of NEPA, CWA Sections 404/401, ESA Sections 7/10, MBTA, BGEPA, CERCLA, RCRA, and the NHPA Section 106 interface. ????? ??????
• Plant identification to species level and familiarity with hydric soil indicators.
• Sound judgment and independence when working alone at remote sites. ??????????
• 5+ years of hands-on environmental consulting or in-house field experience, with at least 3 years leading and signing reports.
• Completed and signed at least 5 Phase I ESAs to ASTM E1527 standards.
• Performed wetland delineations in at least two USACE regions using the 1987 Manual and Regional Supplements.
• Direct experience with listed-species habitat assessments, agency coordination, and USFWS consultation.
• 3+ years supporting utility-scale solar, wind, BESS, or transmission projects (strongly preferred). Psychosocial Skills /Human Skills/Behavioural Skills
• Robust analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Clear, concise technical writing for lenders, regulators, and non-technical project teams.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to take ideas and run with them from concept to conclusion.
• Technical understanding of clean energy business processes
• Exceptional verbal and writing communication skills with superiors, peers, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Excellent interpersonal skills while managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced and ever-changing environment.
• Excellence in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 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. This role requires nationwide travel 50–70% of the time, often at short notice once a site study is approved, including overnight and multi-week deployments. Field work involves walking and working outdoors at remote project sites, while office work requires the ability to work at a computer and participate in conference calls. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work Conditions The work is a blend of field and office environments. Field work is performed outdoors at remote project sites in varying weather conditions and terrain, and requires completion of site safety training. The office environment is usually quiet and generally supports a collaborative work environment. Candidates must be authorized to work in the US and able to pass a background check. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Equal Opportunity Employer At Cleantech Industry Resources, we embrace diversity and uphold a strong dedication to establishing an all-encompassing atmosphere for both our staff and associates. Our choices in employment are free from any bias related to race, creed, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, physical limitations, veteran status, or any other legally safeguarded attributes. Being an integral part of Cleantech Industry Resources means you can expect to be immersed in a realm of professional possibilities within a culture that nurtures teamwork, adaptability, and the embracing of all.
📌 Senior Environmental Scientist (Chennai)
🏢 Cleantech Industry Resources (CIR)
📍 Chennai