Sr Permit & Zoning Agent
JACKSON, MI, US
Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.
Location: This is a hybrid (virtual/onsite) position with required onsite days on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday assigned to One Energy Plaza located in Jackson, MI. The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance or willing to relocate (relocation package is available for those that qualify).
General Summary of Job Responsibilities
The Senior Permit and Zoning Agent is responsible for leading zoning and rezoning efforts across Gas, HVD, Generation, Facilities, and Renewable work streams. This role involves assessing the impact of zoning rules and regulations and collaborating with project teams to develop strategies that ensure project success. The incumbent will oversee the submission and acquisition of all permits under Real Estate Acquisition within assigned work streams. Additionally, this position requires fostering and maintaining positive relationships with local municipalities, governmental agencies, and railroads. The Senior Permit and Zoning Agent will serve as the subject matter expert on zoning and permitting for project teams and manage contractor resources as needed.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Develop and maintain relationships with cities, counties, municipalities, railroads, state agencies, and public works departments. Represent the company as the permit and zoning expert at community open houses and public events.
- Read and interpret complex real estate documents, including leases, licenses, transfer documents, partial interests, legal descriptions, construction drawings, and local and state statutes. Assess project impacts and create detailed mitigation strategies.
- Provide clear and accurate communication, including discussions and negotiations with stakeholders. Prepare and deliver presentations to external stakeholders and agencies.
- Represent the company at governmental meetings, leading discussions and negotiations related to zoning for renewable and other utility projects.
- Develop and execute comprehensive zoning and permitting strategies for complex projects.
- Manage the permit application process and annual permit renewals, including negotiations with the Michigan Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, railroads, and local/state agencies.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Strong knowledge of real estate law, permitting and zoning standards, and real estate transactions.
- Ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate impacts, rights, and restrictions in legal documents and contracts related to land rights.
- Proficiency in interpreting survey drawings, permits, ordinances, engineering, and construction plans.
- Ability to understand and apply legislation as industry changes occur.
- Experience managing contract workforces.
- Strong analytical skills and self-motivation.
- Advanced communication and negotiation skills.
- Ability to foster strong cross-functional relationships, particularly with community affairs partners, to ensure strategic execution.
- Capability to manage multiple conflicting projects and priorities while meeting objectives and deadlines.
Education/Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Land Planning, or Law, plus four (4) years of experience in utility permitting, renewable and/or utility zoning, land use planning, real estate negotiations, or community engagement.
- [OR] Associate’s degree in Business, Real Estate, Land Planning, or Law, plus six (6) years of related experience.
- [OR] High school diploma plus eight (8) years of related experience.
Why should you join our team?
At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.
What we offer:
- Competitive compensation packages
- Medical, Dental and Vision
- 401k with company match
- Paid parental leave
- Up to 13 paid Holidays
- Paid time off
- Educational Assistance Program
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion:
We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY, capABLE, Interfaith and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.
All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.
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