Senior Vegetation Program Specialist

Job Description:

Overview

Deriva Energy is a leading Independent Power Producer in the US renewables market, with over 6.5GW of operating or under construction wind, solar and storage projects across the country. Formerly the division of Duke Energy, Deriva is now backed by Brookfield Renewable and is poised for dynamic growth across its wind, solar, and storage portfolios. Join a dynamic team committed to excellence and innovation who envision a future of energy independence using resilient, carbon-free generation. We offer competitive compensation, comprehensive benefits, and the opportunity to make a significant impact on the rapidly evolving renewable energy industry. Deriva empowers customers with innovative clean energy solutions that strengthen communities and serve future generations.

Position Summary

Deriva Energy is seeking a dynamic and talented Senior Vegetation Program Specialist to join our team reporting to the Director of Environment and Permitting. The ideal candidate will be passionate about biodiversity, vegetation management, and ecosystem services with a keen eye for detail and a drive for operational excellence for renewable energy generation.

The job requires the ability to work with various internal and external stakeholders. External contact can include interacting (both in written and verbal forms) with renewable energy site managers, landowners, concerned members of the public, regulators, and non-governmental organizations. Internal interactions will include coordinating information between functional groups, preparing vegetation management plans for projects under development, working with construction teams to ensure proper management of soils and stormwater, supporting operational sites with vegetation management contractor performance and long-term biodiversity goals.

The job requires the ability to listen and understand the complex constraints of renewable energy development unique to each project and summarize that learning into actionable steps. The ideal candidate has a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges. This is a position for an innovative thinker who communicates well and is organized and diligent.

Responsibilities

Vegetation Management

• Develop and implement comprehensive internal and external vegetation management plans to support Deriva Energy's development and operational objectives

• Coordinate landscaping or vegetation plans for landowner meetings, public meetings, regulatory hearings or other meetings; work with landowners and community members to encapsulate feedback and effect changes in plans around nuisance vegetation, noxious weeds, or landscape screening

• Work with the operations and procurement teams to ensure contractor performance for all vegetation management related activities

Biodiversity

• Work with the Wildlife Program Lead to design and create plans for increasing biodiversity throughout the portfolio

• Assist with ESG report preparation

Environment and Permitting Team Support

• Use insights from industry research, industry engagement, and science-based information to develop process/plans/strategies for enhancing project permitting and environmental stewardship

• Present truthful, transparent, science-based information to guide decision making for development, construction, and operations concerns during the internal project review process

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in environmental science, agriculture, landscape architecture, biology, engineering, or related field

• Three (3) years or more of relevant work experience with a focus on development and operations

Desired Qualifications

• Renewable energy experience or related industry

• Five (5) years or more of relevant work experience with a focus on development and operations

• Plant identification skills, experience designing and conducting comprehensive vegetation surveys, and demonstrated understanding of integrated vegetation management techniques

• Proficiency with Excel, PowerPoint, and other Microsoft Office tools

• Professional with a positive attitude and capable of contributing to a collaborative, dynamic, and team-oriented culture

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to craft clear and technically accurate materials for permitting and regulatory needs

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams

• Ability to work effectively and maintain flexibility in a fast-paced environment, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines

Other

• This position may be filled at a higher level depending on the selected candidate's skills, experience, and qualifications

Working Conditions

• Working location preference will be Charlotte, NC but will consider other locations for the right candidate

• Travel: up to 40%

Benefits

• Health Insurance

• Dental Insurance

• Vision Insurance

• 401(k) with matching

• Employee assistance program

• Flexible spending account

• Life insurance

• Paid time off

• Parental leave

• Attractive Bonus Potential

Additional Information:

Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Deriva welcomes veterans of the United States Armed Forces to apply for this position. Deriva includes veterans of all branches and a diverse set of occupational specialties. We value the independent thinking, problem solving, leadership, and teamwork that our veterans have developed through their service. We welcome applications from any service and any military occupational specialty.

Deriva Energy is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their race, color, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, sex, age, physical or mental disability, marital status, family responsibilities, pregnancy, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender expression, gender identity, transgender, sex stereotyping, protected veteran or military status, and other categories protected by federal, state or local law.