Senior Siting Consultant

APS•Phoenix, AZ

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Siting Consultant leads the siting of sub-transmission and transmission projects from early planning through regulatory approval. The role manages complex projects and collaborates with internal teams, regulatory agencies, government officials, communities, consultants, utilities, and other stakeholders to identify and advance locations for new or upgraded transmission facilities. Responsibilities include leading siting and public participation, obtaining Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and other required approvals, and representing APS throughout highly visible projects. The consultant manages multiple siting and non-siting efforts, addresses regulatory and community challenges, and supports less experienced consultants while helping maintain strong stakeholder and community relationships. Employees in this hybrid role work both from home and in person, with approximately 40% of their time expected at an APS or other non-home-office location. Employees are expected to reside in Arizona, or in New Mexico if based at Four Corners. Working from home requires adequate technology and an appropriate ergonomic setup. Role types may change based on business need.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Business, Engineering, or a related field plus eight years of multi-discipline electric utility experience related to transmission facility design, operations, construction, and planning, 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.
Ability to travel overnight as required and attend meetings outside normal business hours.

Responsibilities

Meet and negotiate with government officials and regulatory agencies to obtain state, federal, and local approvals for new transmission facilities; lead meetings and engage subject matter experts as needed.
Manage, monitor, and coordinate external consultants’ siting project work.
Use public relations strategies, respond promptly to inquiries, maintain accurate records of project interactions and correspondence, and manage communications to minimize negative press and public controversy, involving 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, maintain project cost records against planned APS budgets, and update leadership when scope or budget changes are anticipated.
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 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.