Transmission Specialist - Transmission Line Siting & Permitting Support

FirstEnergy

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,500 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of 3,780 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with FirstEnergy Service Co., a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. [FEU].

Qualified candidates will support Siting and Permitting requirements of Transmission and Substations throughout the FirstEnergy Service Territory. This position will report to the Supervisor, Transmission Siting within the FirstEnergy Transmission and Substation Design Department. Responsibilities will include coordinating elements necessary for the preparation of Regulatory filings in support of Transmission Line and Substation projects to governmental utility agencies. These efforts will include the coordination of internal resources and external consultants while working closely with FirstEnergy's Legal, Real Estate, Environmental, Engineering, Project Management and Government Affairs teams.

The position will report to a FirstEnergy office in Akron, Ohio, or Greensburg, PA.

Responsibilities include:

• Preparing and overseeing Route Selection Studies and supporting documentation for regulatory filings and providing legal testimony in support thereof.
• Advising Project Management of regulatory requirements necessary to complete Transmission projects, including the development of estimates of timeframe and cost.
• Coordinating with FirstEnergy Government Affairs Department to advise/facilitate communication with state and local governments regarding Transmission projects.
• Coordinating with FirstEnergy Environmental Department to ensure all necessary environmental permitting is secured in support of Transmission Projects.
• Facilitating the release of land encumbrances that impact construction of transmission facilities.
• Assisting in construction, access planning and procurement of engineering permits
• Assisting ROW Services and Real Estate in the acquisition of transmission line easements and Substation property
• Working with and direct outside engineering firms, vendors and consultants.
• Supporting communication across business units regarding project needs. Convene internal project review meetings with necessary parties to assure deliverables support project schedule, compliance requirements, and are within the project budget.
• Researching and exploring new technologies and best practices.
• Supporting and sustaining FirstEnergy as a high performing organization by contributing to excellent organizational performance and values of FirstEnergy through responsible effective work performance.
• Participating in industry meetings to confirm FirstEnergy has a voice in direction of industry (i.e. IEEE, EPRI, etc.).
• Appearing on behalf of company at local public zoning and planning committee meetings.

Qualifications include:

• Minimum of a Bachelor's degree in land use planning, physical science or a closely related environmental or GIS field of study from an accredited institution required. Other relevant technical degree or equivalent experience may also be considered.
• 3-6 years related experience required.
  • Related experience includes utility industry experience in Land Use Planning / Siting, Governmental/Regulatory Affairs, Transmission Planning, Real Estate / Right of way, Environmental Permitting, Project Management, and/ or GIS Data Analysis and Management.
• Excellent written and communication skills will be necessary to effectively convey project elements to FirstEnergy customers as well as to regulatory agency personnel.
• Qualified candidates will be required to provide written and oral testimony in support of regulatory filings and be comfortable with public outreach activities.
• Working knowledge of applicable computer software necessary to fulfill job duties including but not limited to Microsoft Office and ARC-GIS. Knowledge of FileNet, SAP, PLS-CADD, GIS and Cascade are a plus but not a requirement.
• Valid driver's license.
• Must embrace a safety culture and maintain a safe work environment for co-workers and the public.
• Must be able to manage multiple projects simultaneously and be able to work effectively under the pressure of deadlines, unexpected developments, changes in project scope, budget constraints, unforeseen field problems and demands on time for work assignments outside of the normal duties.
• Must have strong interpersonal skills and develop and maintain relationships across FE, with outside firms, consultants and regulatory agency personnel that further facilitate the cooperation needed to complete assigned tasks and that will inspire others to achieve, or exceed, goals.
• Must be able to work independently as well as in teams to coordinate designs with other FirstEnergy areas of responsibility including Siting and Permitting, Project Management, Maintenance, Forestry, Real Estate and Construction, as well as the Regional operating companies
• Ability to make practical decisions without undue delay and based on the best information available at the time that the decision must be made.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with good verbal skills and writing skills, providing comprehensive project status reports, clear and concise correspondence, and accurate information.
• Must possess strong organizational, computer, and problem-solving skills.
• Must be self-directed and not dependent on detailed instruction from others.
• Ability to support numerous locations, must be willing to travel throughout the service area to project locations, consultant and project stakeholder offices, and to work extra and irregular hours.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt 

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team