Principal Environmental Compliance Scientist

Summary

The successful candidate will provide natural resource planning, compliance and scientific services to support SRP’s operation and maintenance and new construction of water and power systems and infrastructure.  The candidate must have ability to work in a project manager role and lead multi-department teams in support of complex and/or highly technical environmental compliance and permitting activities with a focus on energy generation, transmission and distribution projects. The position will coordinate closely with SRP internal teams and agencies to prepare state and federal lease and rights-of-way applications for energy projects, which include applications on Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service lands. The position will direct teams and contractors in preparation of permit applications and develop, coordinate, and implement SRP programs necessary to support compliance obligations.  This position requires a working knowledge of multiple environmental and land-use laws and regulations, including National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), Endangered Species Act (ESA), Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA), National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA), Arizona Native Plant Protection Act, Clean Water Act Section 404, and Federal Land Policy and Management Act, and an understanding of the Arizona power plant and transmission line siting and Certificate of Environmental Compatibility (CEC) process. Work will also include review, analysis, and the development of corporate strategies and responses to emerging state and federal environmental laws, regulations, guidance, and policies. The position may provide litigation support, including preparation and review of the technical content for legal filings, participation in development of legal strategies, and participation in negotiations with regulatory agencies and/or other entities to resolve litigation matters.

What You'll Do

• Provide leadership and direction on project teams to address natural resource regulatory requirements for power and water infrastructure projects, with a primary focus on siting, construction and on-going operations and maintenance of SRP’s power system.
• Assist SRP leadership and departments with developing strategies and early planning to inform federal and state siting and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate with various departments, governmental agencies and consultants to prepare lease and rights-of-way applications, NEPA and associated compliance documents, and determine and implement project compliance and mitigation requirements.
• Develop, execute and oversee agreements and contracts with consultants and agencies to prepare environmental planning documents, scientific studies and other technical reports.
• Prepare and maintain environmental compliance project schedules and budgets, and work closely with water and power project managers to integrate compliance needs into overall project timelines and resource needs.
• Prepare and conduct written and oral reports and presentations to SRP executive leadership, stakeholders and the public.
• Work with interdisciplinary teams to review, analyze and develop comments concerning proposed federal and state natural resource laws, regulations or policies that could impact SRP’s water or power operations.
• Engage with state and federal agencies, universities, trade associations, and nonprofit organizations to continually build and improve upon your knowledge of wildlife science, natural resource regulations, and technical skills related to SRP’s ongoing and future water and power operations.

What It Takes To Succeed

Master’s degree preferred in science or engineering.

This position requires a high level of coordination, communication and project management skills, including:

• The ability to manage multiple projects at one time, resolve complex permitting challenges and maintain project timelines
• An understanding of power utility infrastructure and operation and maintenance requirements including fossil and renewable generating facilities substation, transmission and distribution systems and associated right-of-way is beneficial to provide and manage compliance and permitting processes
• The ability to successfully develop and manage relationships within SRP, agencies, and stakeholders
• Strong analytical and writing skills to assess scientific and technical resource information, and ability to direct and prepare technical reports and environmental documents
• The ability to summarize and clearly communicate complex scientific and regulatory information to SRP leadership, internal teams, and the public
• Occasional travel for projects, training and regulatory program meetings will be required

Experience

Minimum of 10 years’ experience as an environmental scientist, environmental engineer, chemical engineer, biologist, archaeologist, chemist, or equivalent.

Experience as an environmental scientist, environmental engineer, chemical engineer, archaeologist, chemist, biologist or equivalent.

Desirable candidates will have:

• Prior project management experience
• Water or power utility natural resource permitting and compliance experience

Education