The Site Permitting Analyst will support Fervo’s Land, Environment, and Permitting team in managing property acquisition, environmental compliance, and regulatory permitting for geothermal projects across the western U.S. This role involves researching permitting and environmental requirements for new project sites, identifying and securing necessary permits, and coordinating closely with federal, state, and local agencies. The analyst will also manage permitting timelines, oversee field consultants, and collaborate with internal teams to ensure regulatory compliance throughout each project’s lifecycle. Strong communication, research, and project management skills are essential, along with excellent attention to detail and organizational abilities. This position reports to the Site Permitting Manager.
Responsibilities
- Conduct desktop and field research on land ownership, regulatory jurisdictions, environmental constraints, and community concerns
- Perform GIS mapping and analysis of potential project restrictions (e.g., wildlife habitats, zoning, air quality, access)
- Analyze conditions of public geothermal lease sales and present findings to internal teams
- Identify and track required permits for geothermal drilling projects at federal, state, and local levels
- Prepare and submit permit applications (e.g., dust control, occupancy, air/water quality, road grading)
- Coordinate with contractors and consultants for surveys, environmental reports, and permit components
- Draft permits in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations (e.g., NEPA, ESA, CWA)
- Collaborate with geologists, engineers, legal, land, and environmental teams to resolve permitting challenges
- Liaise with regulatory agencies, attend meetings, and advocate for timely permit processing
- Monitor regulatory changes and adjust permitting strategies as needed
- Maintain organized records of permit applications, approvals, and correspondence
- Provide regular updates to stakeholders on permitting status and risks
- Support stakeholder engagement and community outreach efforts
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Land Use Planning, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering, or related field
- 3+ years of permitting experience in renewable energy, geothermal, transmission, or oil & gas
- Strong organizational and project management skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities
- Attention to detail and ability to interpret complex technical documents
- Problem-solving mindset with a proactive, self-starting approach
- Knowledge of land contracting and permitting legal frameworks
- Willingness to travel to field sites
- High integrity and ability to build trust with regulators and field teams
- Passion for renewable energy and sustainable development
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with ESRI GIS software (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, etc.) and CAD
- Familiarity with NEPA, land use, and permitting regulations for power production and transmission
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and project management tools
- Experience with surveying or survey-related software
Location
Fervo Energy is headquartered in Houston, TX with growing offices in Oakland, CA, Golden, CO, Reno, NV, and Salt Lake City, UT. This position will be eligible for some hybrid work flexibility, but regular in-office presence at the Golden office will be required. Some travel is required for this position.
Compensation & Benefits
Fervo provides a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability, flexible paid time off, and paid parental leave. Additionally, Fervo offers an incentive stock options program, a bonus incentive program, and a 401(k) plan with an employer match.
Fervo Energy is providing the compensation range and general description of other compensation and benefits that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and geographic location. Expected Salary: $74,000 - $125,000 based on Colorado locality, pay in other locations may vary.
Fervo Energy reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, or federal law.