Transmission Siting, Permitting & Environmental Planner I, II, III or Senior

Job Description:

Responsible for the development, coordination and implementation of the activities associated with the siting, land use permitting and environmental compliance of construction, operation and maintenance related transmission projects. Includes coordinating the routing/site selection process, local and federal land use permitting, and the environmental compliance and related permits.

Base Location : Cheyenne Field Facility; Cheyenne, WY or Headquarters; Westminster, CO

Note: There is one position available, and the position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner I, job grade 7; Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner II, job grade 8, Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner III, job grade 9; or Senior Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner, job grade 10. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the candidate selected, and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner

Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000

Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner III

Hiring Salary Range: $98,000-$124,000

Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner II

Hiring Salary Range: $88,000-$111,000

Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner I

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$99,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include:

- Coordinate the routing/site selection process including documenting the related steps that make up the alternative routing/site methodology.

- Coordinate the local and federal land use permitting including coordinating with local governments, preparing applications and presenting findings.

- Coordinate the environmental compliance and related permits, concurrences and approvals including planning, development and finalization of environmental reports and studies.

- Develop, coordinate and implement public involvement and inter-agency scoping meetings.

- Develop and implement environmental compliance monitoring programs to ensure projects are implemented in accordance with environmental regulations, county stipulations, permit stipulations and agency conditions.

- Develop and implement plans that detail how proposed transmission capital construction projects will be constructed, operated and maintained (Plans of Development, Construction, Operation, and Maintenance Plans, and related plans).

- Provide land use permitting and environmental support to Transmission Maintenance activities.

- Provide awareness training for employees and contractors regarding environmental compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and other regulatory and permit requirements.

- Establish and maintain productive relationships with land management and regulatory agency representatives including the Rural Utilities Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, State wildlife agencies, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, state-wide historic preservation offices and the U.S Army Corps of Engineers.

- Represent Tri-State on technical committees on siting, land use permitting and environmental issues as assigned.

- Present findings and report conclusions of siting, permitting and environmental matters to the public.

- Evaluate proposals for environmental studies and services from outside consultants; prepare technical provisions and evaluate bidders.

- Monitor, coordinate, and evaluate contractor performance and budgets for siting, permitting and environmental services and studies.

- Assist and/or prepare letters/reports/papers to address Tri-State’s concerns on proposed legislation, regulations, and management plans as they relate to the construction, operation, and maintenance of existing and future facilities.

- Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.

Qualifications:

REQUIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education and Training

- Bachelor's degree in physical or biological sciences or related area.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

- Possess strong working knowledge of NEPA, Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Section 7 of the Endangered Species Act, and Section 106 of the Historic Preservation Act, among others specific to transmission-related projects.

- Working knowledge of laws, regulations pertaining to national siting, land use, and environmental policy, rural utilities, clean water, endangered species, land management, weeds, migratory birds, raptor protection, wildlife protection, historic and cultural protection.

- Physical ability to make field inspections.

- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, particularly with regulatory agencies and field crews.

- Working knowledge of PCs and corresponding business software, including word processing and spreadsheets.

- Public speaking skills required.

Experience

- Eight (8) years of related experience in siting, permitting and environmental compliance, including two (2) years of experience in a lead or coordinator role. Note : The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior Transmission Siting, Permitting and Environmental Planner. Those with less experience will be hired at the I, II or III job grade level.

Other:

- Willingness to travel up to 25 percent of the time on an annual basis. (Must possess a valid driver’s license.)

- Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

- Master's degree in physical or biological sciences or related area.

About Us:

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 43 members, including 40 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., approximately 1,200 people are employed by Tri-State across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower, with a rapidly increasing supply generated from wind and solar. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines. Tri-State's transformative Responsible Energy Plan is reducing emissions, increasing renewable resources, developing new energy services and delivering more flexibility for its members.

Job Identification: 601

Job Category: Environmental

Posting Date: 2026-03-09T22:01:52+00:00

Job Schedule: Full time

Hiring Salary Range: $80,000-$139,000

Locations: 1100 W 116th Ave, Westminster, CO, 80234, US

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.