Natural Resource Specialist II

The Natural Resource Specialist II will provide support to APS Forestry, Environmental and Special Program's vegetation management operations to ensure that the department's projects comply with the company's overall goals and objectives and all applicable laws and regulations. Depending on specialty, will be required to interface with regulatory personnel; environmental permit implementation, regulatory interpretation, conduct field surveys for threatened, endangered and sensitive plant and animal species and address habitat concerns.

This role will research threatened, endangered and sensitive species life history and apply applicable mitigations to projects to protect and preserve these species and their habitats. Perform in-field inspections concerning the effectiveness of field operations which may include evaluating work performance and the company's compliance with applicable laws, industry standards, environmental regulations involving SHPO, USFWS, USFS, NEPA, FERC, DOT, ANSI, OSHA, ADEQ, SPCC, APS safety standards and the APS Vegetation Management Manual.

Environmental factors:

• Subject to work hours outside of a normal work schedule and outdoors during inclement weather situations.
• Periodically prone to dangers inherent to work sites including exposure to sharp, high-speed rotating equipment, electrical fields, falling and flying debris, difficult terrain, pesticides, and animal, insect, and snake bites.
• Involves driving throughout our APS service territory which may include overnight travel.
• Monitors the operations of facilities for environmental compliance and identifies potential non-compliance issues.
• Additional duties may include evening and weekend on call duty activities and for Environmental manage an on call spill phone.
  
  

Minimum Requirements

• BS in Archaeology, Biology, Botany, Wildlife or related environmental sciences with 5 years of documented related experience with 2 of the 5 years providing similar services for an electric utility.
  Must have adequate academic credentials to satisfy requirements of U.S.D.A. Forest Service to conduct cultural resource and/or biological assessments concerning threatened and endangered species and a comprehensive knowledge of pertinent environmental laws.
• ISA Certified Arborist and Utility Specialist certifications, USFWS Sub-permittee registration and applicable Arizona State Pesticide certification preferred.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license. Computer experience using ArcView, MS Word, Excel and Access.
• Must have a demonstrated aptitude for public relations and interpersonal communications and demonstrate a strong commitment to teamwork and environmental stewardship.
  
  
  

Major Accountabilities

1) With general direction and weekly review, responsible for providing input regarding plans and programs which have a significant impact on the performance of the business unit.\

2) Provide support to overall directives and performance expectations in compliance with the company's Accident Prevention Manual and labor contract.

3) Conduct habitat and species-specific field surveys and research, as necessary, to support biological assessments surveys on company rights-of-way to meet agency and federal regulatory requirements pertaining to the Endangered Species Act. Prepare Biological Assessments and Biological Evaluations.

4) Oversee and/or conduct cultural resource surveys on company rights-of-way to meet requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office.

5) Author biological assessments and archaeological reports in support of the division's work plans and goals.

6) Provide technical expertise, instruction and assistance to field personnel.

7) Maintain up to date knowledge of environmental and industry regulations and technology through professional reading attendance at seminars and participation in professional organizations.

8) Participate in implementation and continuation of the company's Raptor Protection Program. Develop and maintain GIS applications.

9) Assist in the planning and scheduling of Forestry and Special Program's crews and contractors in accordance with defined goals and the needs of the work. mProvide technical expertise regarding field locations with biological and cultural resource restrictions and, where required, provide mitigation oversight of field operations.

10) Develop and conduct company training programs and public education programs related to biological and cultural resource regulations.

11) Conducts or leads advanced scientific studies to support the safe and efficient operation of business units or plants within the organization.

12) Monitors the operations of facilities for environmental compliance and identifies potential non-compliance issues.

13) Operates, maintains, and monitors operating systems, (e.g., water treatment and waste disposal) and or air quality systems to ensure compliance with established guidelines.

14) Prepares and revises technical documents for internal and external audit groups.

15) May, on occasion, interface directly with regulatory agencies on questions of permit implementation and regulatory interpretation.