Native Plant Supply Business Planner, Virginia Solar Industry

~ Over the last half century there has been a wealth of research into the flora of Virginia and its nativity, resulting in a robust understanding of the potential native plant species that can be employed in the development of pollinator-friendly solar farm installations. ~

Concurrently, there has been a great deal of knowledge developed regarding the cultivation of native plants and techniques which can be employed for site restoration and planting. It is widely recognized that ecosystem services benefits including carbon sequestration, sedimentation and erosion reduction, provision of pollinator services and provision of wildlife habitat are enhanced when a site is planted using native plant species.

Even with this increase in knowledge, a scale-sufficient collection and cultivation of Virginia plant and seed material does not exist to meet the anticipated need of providing expansive native plant pollinator habitat on the solar farms of Virginia. Wholesale seeds and plants from Virginia plants are extremely limited, though some material of the Virginia species from other states is available.

The current status of solar development in Virginia is moving very rapidly. Dominion Energy announced its intent to invest $1 billion in solar development in Virginia and North Carolina. Currently, Dominion Energy has twelve (12) solar generating facilities covering nearly 3,000 acres either in operation or under development. The company has indicated that it could add at least 5,200 MW of solar over the next 25 years, with an additional impact to 40, 000 to 50,000 acres. American Electric Power (AEP) intends to invest $1.8 billion in new renewable generation between 2018 and 2020. Virginia is one (1) of the eleven (11) states AEP serves.

While there is great potential for clean energy jobs in Virginia through solar energy development, there are potential adverse impacts from erosion/sedimentation of watersheds and potential increase of invasive species if solar farms are not managed ecologically well.  Development and implementation of a precise native plant and pollinator business plan will help ensure a successful and sustainable solar industry expansion and create good paying, green jobs.

Position Overview

ECW Environmental is currently seeking a candidate to fill the position, Native Plant Supply Business Planner, Virginia Solar Industry. Location is flexible.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development a full business plan to launch a native plant materials industry for Virginia.
• The business plan should specifically be tailored to supporting the solar energy industry and that can
  be used to engage stakeholders (both public and private sector), to identify opportunities,
  barriers, and potential incentives for a native plant/seed industry in Virginia.
• Project into the future based upon the anticipated growth in solar installations on Virginia’s
  landscape over the next twenty years and the requisite need for native plant materials.
• Lay out research on the current supply of native plant material in Virginia including Virginia
  genotypes.
• Summarize successful models and lessons learned in other states, propose an approach
  to building a nursery production capacity in Virginia that meets the anticipated demand
  for native plant, and seed materials for the solar industry.

Qualifications

• Minimum of a bachelor's degree in agriculture, agri-business, biological sciences, business management or related areas. 
• Master's degree, MBA preferred.
• Minimum of five (5) years or more years of experience in completing tasks similar to those listed above.
• Experience in the agriculture, plant nursery, botanical, or business planning sectors. 
• Experience conducting market analysis especially in the biological, agricultural, or natural resources areas.   
• Ability to get tasks done well and on time. 
• Must have excellent business research and writing skills.
• If not located locally, must have the ability to easily travel to Virginia Beach occasionally (monthly) with for the project that is expected to be six or more months.  
• This is a one-time project that could lead to additional work if successful. 

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload your cover letter and resume.

Apply ASAP but no later than May 20, 2018.