Environmental and Land Use Planner I, II, III, or Senior

UNS Energy Corporation is seeking an Environmental and Land Use Planner (I, II, III, or Senior) in Tucson, AZ. The role involves securing environmental permits and land use authorizations for various projects, managing consultants, and collaborating with stakeholders. Key responsibilities include project management, GIS support, budget forecasting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Candidates should have experience with environmental permits, project planning, and strong communication skills.
Position Description

Identifies local, state, and federal jurisdictional and regulatory requirements, then secures related environmental and land use authorizations in support of distribution, transmission, and generation projects.

Position-Related Responsibilities
• Secures environmental permits and land use authorizations required to construct and maintain distribution, transmission, and generation assets for system reinforcement, system integrity, public improvement, and business development projects.
• Manages consultants and directs their efforts to secure environmental permits and land use authorizations that meet internal and external requirements throughout all phases of project work from initial site selection to post construction close out.
• Develops and maintains business relationships with internal departments, jurisdictions, regulators, and other key stakeholders on behalf of the company.
• Provides technical guidance and permitting assistance in response to general land use questions.
• Provides planning and permitting input for right-of-way project research.
• Reviews, develops and manages requests for proposals, project scopes and budgets. Works with TEP GIS staff to acquire and maintain Land Resources' geospatial data layers.
• Provides GIS support within the Land Resources department, including preparation of maps, exhibits, and maintaining related database information.
• Works closely with the project manager on overall project management from inception to completion.
• Develops O&M and Capital budget forecasts, tracks expenditures, and provides variance explanations at the project level.
• Develops schedules and monitors progress to ensure proper coordination throughout all project phases.
• Leads formal and informal meetings concerning assigned projects. Works across departments to identify project needs and requirements.
• Provide services to all UNS affiliates subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.
• This position may provide services to affiliates of the Company subject to the UNS Energy Code of Conduct and the related Policies and Procedures.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

(Equivalent combination of education and experience will be considered.)
• Knowledge of and experience with researching and securing local, state, and federal land management environmental permits and land use authorizations.
• Knowledge of municipal and county zoning and land use codes, and the permitting and licensing processes required by the various governing agencies throughout Southern Arizona.
• Knowledge of Arizona Corporation Commission and Power Plant and Transmission Line Siting Committee processes.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and assess their related influence on facilities and properties.
• Experience in facilitating business meetings and building consensus.
• Experience in project and budget planning, design, analysis, management, and communication.
• Experience with various software programs, including but not limited to word processing, spreadsheets, database, presentation and geospatial.
• Attention to detail in preparing and proofing materials.
• Establishing priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.

Environmental and Land Use Planner I
• Requires a basic knowledge of position-related responsibilities and KSAs. And possess verbal and written communication skills and computer skills
• Introductory position that works under close supervision in performing specialized technical duties. Training needed for tasks.

Minimum Qualifications:
• Requires a Bachelor degree in Environmental Planning or closely related field with one (1) year of related experience performing environmental and land use planning work.

Environmental and Land Use Planner II
• Competent in most of the KSA's.
• Responsible for small to medium sized projects and will assist more experienced Environmental and Land Use Planners on large projects.
• May require close supervision on new aspects of assignments. Can perform routine tasks correctly without assistance

Minimum Qualifications:
• Requires minimum qualifications of ELUP I with three (3) or more years of professional experience in an Environmental and Land Planning role, or a Master's degree in Environmental Planning or related field with at least one (1) year of experience.

Environmental and Land Use Planner III
• Competent in all KSA's.
• Responsible for all project sizes, can lead a team if needed for large projects and provides SME training to others.
• Contributes to O&M and Capital budget plans.

Read the full posting.