Senior Siting Consultant

aps•Deer Valley, AZ

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

Arizona Public Service (APS) is seeking a Senior Siting Consultant to lead siting for critical sub-transmission and transmission projects, from early planning through regulatory approval. The role manages complex, large-scale projects and works with internal teams, regulatory agencies, government leaders, communities, and other stakeholders to identify and advance locations for new and upgraded transmission facilities. The consultant leads siting and public participation processes, including obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and other required federal, state, and local approvals. This highly visible position represents APS throughout complex projects, manages multiple siting and non-siting efforts, builds stakeholder partnerships, and helps resolve regulatory, community, and project challenges. As a senior team member, the consultant also provides guidance and support to less experienced consultants. The position is hybrid. Employees are expected to work about 40% of their time in person at an APS or other non-home-office location and to reside in Arizona, or in New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees. Overnight travel and meetings outside normal business hours may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts in Marketing, Business, Engineering, or a related field, plus eight years of multi-discipline electric utility experience related to understanding the design, operations, construction, and planning of transmission facilities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Siting project management experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in interpersonal and oral and written communications.
Ability to provide testimony before regulatory agencies and effectively interact with customer regulatory agencies and large groups.

Responsibilities

Meet and negotiate with government officials and regulatory agencies to obtain state, federal, and local approval for new transmission facilities; lead meetings and invite subject matter experts when appropriate.
Manage, monitor, and coordinate external consultants’ siting project work.
Use public relations strategies, respond promptly to inquiries, maintain accurate interaction and correspondence records, and manage communications to minimize negative press and public controversy, engaging Corporate Communications as needed.
Coordinate internal teams, environmental consultants, external jurisdictions, partnering utilities, and the public so projects are sited in time for land acquisition and construction.
Manage consultant charges and project financial records against scope and planned APS budgets, and update leadership about anticipated scope or budget changes.
Oversee siting support resources and departments, communicate with them throughout projects, and obtain firm commitments on key siting issues.
Establish project timelines and monitor schedules and milestones to help ensure project in-service dates are achievable; provide status updates to management and executives.
Build partnerships and interface with team members, customers, public officials and agencies, and government leaders to support reliable electric service through siting activities.
Develop and implement project communication plans.
Manage, assemble, and file Arizona Corporation Commission applications for Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and yearly compliance filings, including Self-Certification Letters, through project construction and in-service.
Provide guidance and support to less experienced consultants.