Purpose:
This position provides environmental compliance and land rights services for the Cooperative including leases, easements, renewals, permits and licenses. The role of this position is to assist in obtaining required local, state and federal environmental and land use approvals for new/existing transmission line, substation, generation, and telecommunications projects for Arizona Electric Power Cooperative, Inc. (AEPCO). In addition, the position: 1) participates in oil spill response efforts at AEPCO substations; 2) develops and implements environmental plans and procedures applicable to AEPCO operations, including spill monitoring for construction activities, and monitoring in accordance with provisions of the Endangered Species Act and National Historic Preservation Act. This position is based at AEPCO's corporate headquarters in Benson, Arizona.
Knowledge, Skills And Abilities•Bachelor's degree in biological sciences, environmental planning, environmental engineering, civil engineering, natural resources management, land management or related fields.
•Up to 2 years' experience in the utility industry, including knowledge of transmission and/or distribution operations preferred.
•Up to 2 years of experience in one or more of the following areas: land law, real estate practices, city/county/ zoning, land permitting or tax assessor procedures.
•Experience working for a Utility owner's land services group, State land department and/or Federal land group is a plus.
•Arizona Registered Land Surveyor preferred.
•Excellent writing and communication skills.
•Limited knowledge of federal, state and local environmental laws that apply to electric transmission operations, including:
•National Environmental Policy Act
•National Historic Preservation Act
•Toxic Substances Control Act
•Native Plant Protection Act
•Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
•Understand land appraisal, land surveys and real estate acquisition.
•Good interpersonal skills, comfortable approaching and communicating with people, landowners, government agencies and knowledge of negotiation strategy.
•Ability to work effectively with federal, state and local regulatory agency personnel
•Strong conceptual, organizational, problem solving and research abilities
•Ability to be certified in respirator use
•Required to become 40-hour HAZWOPER certified within 30-days of hire date.
•Limited knowledge of Rural Utilities Service environmental requirements preferred
•Any equivalent combination of related education, training, and/or experience can be substituted for requirements listed above.
Essential And Marginal Functions
•Conduct NEPA analysis and compliance activities for capital projects and direct NEPA document preparation
•Participate in oil spill response activities as needed
•Conduct project-related compliance training for AEPCO personnel
•Obtain Arizona Corporation Commission, and other state and local project approvals
•Cultivate and maintain federal, state and local agency relationships
•Review and maintain Transmission Asset Management Information System (TAMIS) for accuracy of environmental data
•Conduct periodic substation housekeeping activities (to assist with hanta virus prevention)
•Manage weed control contract associated with Cooperative substation and communications sites. This includes direct supervision of contractors.
•Coordinate with Arizona State Land Department, Bureau of Land Management and Federal land departments to acquire land rights by deed, lease, easement or any other land rights including renewals, permits and licenses.
•Contract for and direct land services, surveying, title work, appraisals, fencing and landscaping installation.
•Assist in the capital and maintenance planning processes by providing land information.
•Assist with City/County approvals for grading and zoning permits and assist with obtaining building, railway and road right of way permits.
•Assist with coordination for public outreach efforts associated with project proposals
•Other duties as assigned
Job Posted by ApplicantPro
Benson, AZ
full time