Regulatory Specialist

Position Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced Alaska Regulatory Lead to serve as the Owner’s Representative and Regulatory Manager for a major LNG/oil and gas development project in Alaska. This individual will lead and coordinate all federal, state, and local regulatory activities, with a primary focus on securing a FERC Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity and associated permits under an aggressive project schedule.

The successful candidate will bring deep Alaska‑specific regulatory expertise and act as the central point of accountability between Client, contracted environmental consultants, outside legal counsel, and senior management.

Key Responsibilities

- Serve as Client’s Owner’s Representative for all regulatory and permitting activities.

- Lead and manage the overall regulatory strategy and execution plan for the project, ensuring alignment with project milestones and schedule.

- Direct and coordinate all activities associated with obtaining the FERC Certificate, including:

- NEPA review and environmental documentation (EA/EIS)

- Data requests, filings, and responses

- Agency engagement and coordination

- Manage and oversee contracted environmental consultants, ensuring:

- High‑quality technical deliverables

- Schedule adherence

- Budget discipline

- Coordinate closely with outside legal counsel on regulatory filings, compliance strategy, and agency engagement.

- Lead permitting efforts with Alaska state and local agencies, including but not limited to:

- Alaska Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)

- Alaska Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (AOGCC)

- Local boroughs and municipalities

- Act as the primary point of contact with federal agencies (e.g., FERC, BLM, USACE, USFWS, NOAA).

- Identify and proactively manage regulatory risks, issues, and stakeholder concerns.

- Provide clear, concise regulatory updates and recommendations to Client senior management.

- Support project development teams in aligning engineering, commercial, and construction plans with regulatory requirements.

- Ensure regulatory compliance throughout all phases of project development.

Minimum Qualifications

- Minimum 10 years of Alaska and federal regulatory experience related to oil & gas, LNG, or major energy infrastructure projects.

- Demonstrated experience leading or supporting FERC‑regulated projects, including Certificate applications.

- Strong working knowledge of:

- NEPA process

- Federal, Alaska State, and local permitting frameworks

- Environmental review and compliance requirements

- Proven experience managing consultants and multidisciplinary teams.

- Experience working directly with senior executives and project leadership.

- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including regulatory filings and executive‑level briefings.

- Ability to work effectively under aggressive and fast‑paced regulatory timelines.

Preferred Qualifications

- Prior experience as an owner’s representative or regulatory manager for large capital projects in Alaska.

- Direct LNG project experience.

- Strong relationships with Alaska state regulators and federal agencies.

- Background in environmental science, engineering, law, or a related field.

- Experience operating in remote or Arctic environments.

Key Competencies

- Regulatory leadership and strategy

- Stakeholder and agency engagement

- Risk identification and mitigation

- Schedule and consultant management

- Clear decision‑making under pressure

- Alaska‑specific regulatory expertise