Job Description

Job Description
This position may be located in either Austin, TX or Tulsa, OK. Preference would be for candidate to be located in the Austin, TX area. Relocation Assistance is not available for this position.

This role is responsible for coordinating the siting activities to identify the most suitable locations for transmission lines and substations and supports the siting teams decision in necessary regulatory hearings, approvals, and/or landowner negotiations. Understand the full range of issues related to the successful siting 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), GIS, and project management.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. 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.
2. Work interdependently with a multidisciplinary project team through a logical and legally defensible siting process to identify buildable and cost effective routes and facilities which minimize environmental impacts.
3. Archive information gathered and document the rationale for the selection of the route or site for use in regulatory proceedings, permitting efforts, and landowner negotiations.
4. Identify and manage siting risks to the overall Project scopes, schedules, and budgets.
5. Develop and monitor siting tasks, cost estimates and schedules.
6. Prepare siting study reports, risk assessments and related GIS constraint mapping.
7. Coordinate with regulatory agencies, local officials, and the general public to gather information about sensitive features in the study area.
8. Oversee the oversight of outsourcing related to siting.
9. Coordinate regulatory and local zoning applications (writing, exhibits, testimony, interrogatories, schedule, etc.)
10. Participate in stakeholder meetings and public workshops.
11. Assist in preparing testimony and testify before federal, state and local agencies concerning transmission routing and substation siting.
12. Organize and facilitate project meetings related to siting.
13. Assist in evaluating the impact of proposed legislation and regulations on transmission projects and provide input to the development process.
14. Build networks that extend through AEP and other companies, and regulatory agencies.
15. Improve standardization and process development.
16. Make presentations to civic groups, property owners, regulatory agencies, and AEP employees.
17. Conduct field reconnaissance to evaluate proposed route alignments and potential impacts.
18. Understanding of transmission line, station, and planning technical concepts and construction processes.

This position may be located in either Austin, TX or Tulsa, OK.

Minimum Requirements Education:

* Bachelor's degree in engineering, environmental science or related field. A professional license is desired but not required.

Work Experience:

* Minimum of either 6-11 yrs total industry experience; OR
* Minimally 3-5 yrs experience working as Transmission Siting & Environmental Spec I or equivalent.
* 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.
* Extensive experience in Coordinating regulatory and local zoning applications (writing, exhibits, testimony, interrogatories, schedule, etc.) strongly preferred.
* Extensive experience preparing testimony and testifying before federal, state and local agencies concerning transmission routing and substation siting strongly preferred.

Other Requirements:

* Must be available to work overtime, call-out overtime and shift work, as required.
* Travel requirements are expected 20-30% of the time
1. May require extended hours to accomplish assigned tasks to meet requirements and schedules.
2. Some overnight travel to facilities and projects (field work) is required periodically.
3. Position requires some travel and exposure to situations which require knowledge, understanding, and adherence to applicable safety procedures, and ability to hike one to three miles.
4. At least 20 to 30% of travel time associated with this position.

This position may be located in either Tulsa, OK or Austin, TX.

Physical demand level is Sedentary