Transmission Line Siting Specialist-Senior

American Electric Power•Roanoke, VA

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for coordinating the siting, environmental studies, and permitting execution for multi-million dollar electric transmission line and substation projects. Projects can range from small scale to hundreds of miles in length traversing multiple states. The individual will understand the full range of issues related to the successful siting and permitting of a transmission project and will be accountable for making sound recommendations and decisions. Areas of required expertise include environmental (cultural, natural and visual resource assessment), utility corridor siting (utility regulatory requirements, stakeholder interaction, and permitting requirements) and project management.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in geography, land use planning, urban planning, landscape architecture engineering, environmental science or related field.
5 - 8 years industry related experience and/or education with at least two years of direct siting experience preferred.
Proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office computer applications is desired.
Excellent written, organizational, presentation, oral communication, and time management skills.
The ability to handle multiple projects and assignments is critical.
Travel requirements are expected 25-30% of the time.
Must have a valid driver's license, the ability to rent a vehicle, and the ability to drive 3 - 6 hours at time to attend site visits, meet with landowners, or participate in open houses and stakeholder meetings.
May require extended hours to accomplish assigned tasks to meet requirements and schedules.
Overnight travel to facilities and projects (field work) is required.
Position requires travel and exposure to situations which require knowledge, understanding, and adherence to applicable safety procedures, and ability to hike or walk one to three miles on occasion.

Nice To Haves

Proficiency with ESRI ArcGIS, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office computer applications is desired.

Responsibilities

Ensure that transmission siting activities are performed in accordance with the policies, practices and standards of the Company and regulations and procedures as required by federal, state or local regulatory agencies.
Oversee the oversight of outsourcing related to siting and regulatory approvals of transmission lines and substations.
Work interdependently with a multidisciplinary project team to identify buildable, cost-effective routes and facilities which minimize environmental impacts.
Liaison with other key team members.
Prepare and provide technical edit for complex environmental assessments and siting studies (written documentation) for transmission facility projects.
Prepare formal regulatory and local zoning applications.
Develop and monitor schedules to complete siting tasks and manage identified risks and cost estimates.
Participate and have previous experience in stakeholder meetings and public open houses.
Supports preparing testimony and ability to testify before federal, state, and local agencies concerning transmission routing and substation siting.
Ability to work autonomously and mentor younger team members.
Improve regional standardization and siting process development.