Site Permitting Specialist
About Fervo Energy
Fervo Energy (NASDAQ: FRVO) is a modern power company developing next-generation geothermal resources to meet the growing demand for affordable, reliable, 24/7 carbon-free energy. Our mission is to transform geothermal into America’s most dependable and affordable source of clean, around-the-clock power. By combining innovations in horizontal drilling, fiber-optic sensing, and advanced reservoir engineering, Fervo has developed a repeatable approach to building utility-scale enhanced geothermal systems. Our flagship Cape Station development in Utah is planned to deliver 500 MW of firm, carbon-free power, and we are advancing a development pipeline of more than 50 GW. Join us and work alongside world-class engineers, geoscientists, operators, project builders, and business leaders working to make geothermal a cornerstone of a more reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy future.
Position Description
The Site Permitting Specialist is part of Fervo’s Land, Environment, and Permitting team, responsible for managing property acquisitions and leasing, environmental protection, and regulatory/permitting activities. The selected candidate will lead the planning, acquisition, implementation, and ongoing compliance of permits, land use authorizations, and regulatory commitments supporting Fervo Energy’s geothermal exploration, drilling, power generation, transmission, and related infrastructure projects throughout the western United States.
This position combines strategic permitting with field implementation. The successful candidate will develop permitting and compliance strategies, identify regulatory requirements, maintain permitting schedules, prepare and oversee permit applications, translate permit conditions into practical field guidance, coordinate inspections, and ensure compliance commitments are implemented throughout the full project lifecycle. The role works closely with engineering, geology, environmental, legal, construction, operations, land, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
Strong communication, project management, organizational, and leadership skills are required, as this position will regularly coordinate across internal and external stakeholders, present permitting initiatives to management, and help drive continuous improvement of Fervo’s permitting and compliance programs.
Responsibilities
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Develop and execute integrated permitting and compliance plans, including schedules, milestones, budgets, field implementation plans, and regulatory strategies.
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Research, identify, obtain, and maintain federal, state, and local permits, approvals, and land use authorizations required throughout project development and operations.
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Ensure compliance with permit conditions, land lease obligations, county zoning requirements, and environmental regulations, including NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, Clean Water Act, and other applicable laws.
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Compile permit and lease conditions into practical compliance guides, field procedures, and training materials for employees and contractors.
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Prepare, review, and submit permit applications and supporting documentation while maintaining complete permitting and compliance records.
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Conduct regular field visits, internal inspections, regulatory inspections, and corrective action tracking; coordinate spill response documentation and other environmental compliance activities as required.
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Collaborate with engineering, geology, legal, environmental, land, project management, construction, and operations teams to resolve permitting challenges and support project execution.
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Serve as the primary liaison with federal, state, local, and tribal agencies; support stakeholder engagement and community outreach.
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Monitor regulatory changes and recommend updates to permitting strategies, compliance programs, and internal procedures.
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Provide regular status updates, risk assessments, and recommendations to project leadership.
Qualifications
Required
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Bachelor’s degree or higher in Land Use Planning, Land Management, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, Urban Planning, or related technical discipline.
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5+ years of experience in permitting, environmental compliance, land management, or project development for geothermal, renewable energy, transmission, mining, or oil and gas projects.
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Strong understanding of federal, state, and local permitting processes and environmental regulations.
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Excellent organizational, communication, project management, and stakeholder coordination skills.
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Ability to interpret complex regulatory documents and translate requirements into practical implementation plans.
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Demonstrated problem-solving, conflict resolution, and relationship-building skills.
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Self-starter capable of managing multiple complex projects simultaneously.
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Commitment to environmental stewardship, regulatory excellence, and responsible energy development.
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Ability to travel approximately 30% to project sites throughout the western United States.
Preferred
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Experience with ESRI GIS software and/or CAD.
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Experience developing compliance management systems, inspection programs, or environmental training.
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Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management software.
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Knowledge of public land permitting, land rights, reclamation, SWPPP implementation, and geothermal development.
Location
Fervo has offices in Houston, TX; Golden, CO; Reno, NV; Oakland, CA; and Salt Lake City, UT. Reno, Nevada or Salt Lake City, Utah are the preferred locations for this position. Approximately 30% travel will be required to support field operations and regulatory engagement throughout the western United States.
Benefits & Perks
- Fervo offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial well-being, and life outside of work. Benefits for eligible employees include:
- Medical, dental, and vision plan options
- Employer-paid basic life insurance and short-term and long-term disability coverage
- A 401(k) plan with a dollar-for-dollar company match
- Flexible paid time off and paid parental leave
- Family-building, fertility, hormonal health, pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting support through Carrot
- A dependent care FSA for eligible child and elder care expenses
- An annual Lifestyle Spending Account for eligible wellness expenses, including fitness, financial planning, pet insurance, and pet care
- Employee ownership opportunities through Fervo’s Employee Stock Purchase Program, as well as stock option grants and bonus opportunities for eligible roles
Benefits and programs are subject to eligibility requirements and may change.
Our Workplace
Fervo Energy highly values having employees work in the office to foster collaboration and strengthen our company culture. This role follows a hybrid schedule, with team members expected to work in the office three days per week. Fervo considers this in-office schedule an essential function of the role. Your recruiter can share more information about the schedule.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Fervo Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, religion, marital status, registered domestic partner status, age, national origin, ancestry, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sex, genetic information, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful by federal, state, or local law. Fervo also prohibits discrimination based on the perception that an individual has any of these characteristics or is associated with a person who has or is perceived as having any of these characteristics.
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