Siting Consultant

aps•Deer Valley, AZ

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Siting Consultant leads the siting of 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 position leads siting and public participation, including securing Certificates of Environmental Compatibility and other required federal, state, and local approvals. It represents APS on complex, highly visible projects and manages multiple siting and non-siting efforts simultaneously. The consultant builds partnerships and helps navigate regulatory, community, and project challenges to advance critical infrastructure. Hybrid employees work both from home offices and in person, with about 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. 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 five years of multidisciplinary electric utility experience related to understanding the design, operations, construction, and planning of transmission facilities; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Demonstrated proficiency in interpersonal and oral and written communications.
Ability to provide or support testimony before regulatory agencies and effectively interact with customer regulatory agencies and large groups.
Ability to travel overnight and attend meetings outside normal business hours as required.
Employees are expected to reside in Arizona, or in New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees.

Nice To Haves

Project management experience.

Responsibilities

Monitor and coordinate siting project work performed by external consultants to achieve successful project results.
Use public relations strategies on projects, respond promptly to inquiries, and maintain accurate records of project interactions and correspondence; work with Corporate Communications and/or senior consultants to minimize negative press and public controversy.
Meet and negotiate with government officials and regulatory agencies to obtain state, federal, and local approvals for new transmission facilities; support senior consultants in higher-level negotiations when 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 in relation to project scope, maintain financial records of project costs against the planned APS budget, and review anticipated scope or budget changes with a leader or senior consultants.
Involve and manage 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 ensure project in-service dates are achievable; review progress with siting team management and provide status updates to stakeholders as requested.
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.
Support senior consultants with the ACC application process and annual compliance filings.