Customer Project Associate

Arizona Public Service - APS; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Public Service (APS) seeks a Customer Project Associate to coordinate routine Level 1 and 2 projects, ensuring alignment across functional areas and meeting tight timelines. You will develop work plans with schedules, milestones, expenditures and cash flow, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and keep communication flowing.

The role requires a Bachelor's or related degree with relevant experience, strong analytical and communication skills, and proficiency in

Qualifications

• Minimum Requirements: a Bachelor's degree... in Business Administration, Construction Management or other job-related field plus one year experience; Or an Associates degree plus three years; Or high school diploma + five years.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and monitor project activities to ensure progress and timely delivery.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans tracking schedules and milestones.
• Monitor expenditures and cash flow to keep projects within budget.
• Collaborate with customers, developers and internal departments to assess needs and design APS facilities.
• Identify best source of APS power and cost-efficient design while meeting specs.
• Obtain easements and permits with Right‑of‑Way collaboration.
• Prepare work authorizations, estimates and invoices; manage scheduling and closeouts.
• May coordinate with third‑party contractors and provide emergency response support.

Skills

Electric utility experience

Stakeholder management

Customer-facing

PM concepts

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Construction Management or related field

Associates degree + 3 years experience

High school diploma + 5 years experience

Tools

CC&B

GIS

Maximo

Primavera

CAD

Job description

Arizona Public Service generates reliable, affordable and clean energy for 2.7 million Arizonans. Our service territory stretches across the state, from the border town of Douglas to the vistas of the Grand Canyon, from the solar fields of Gila Bend to the ponderosa pines of Payson. As the state’s largest and longest-serving energy provider, our more than 6,000 dedicated employees power our vision of creating a sustainable energy future for Arizona.

Since our founding in 1886, APS has demonstrated a strong commitment to our customers in one of the country’s fastest growing states, earning a reputation for customer satisfaction, shareholder value, operational excellence and business integrity.

Our present and future success depends on the creative and dedicated people of our company who demonstrate the principles outlined in the APS Promise: Design for Tomorrow, Empower Each Other and Succeed Together.

Summary

The Customer Project Associate coordinates and oversees routine Level 1 and 2 projects, ensuring alignment across various functional areas to meet critical objectives under tight timelines. This role develops and monitors comprehensive work plans covering schedules, milestones, expenditures and cash flow.

What Your Day Would Be Like

• Coordinate and monitor project activities to ensure progress, alignment, and timely delivery of goals.
• Develop and maintain detailed work plans that track schedules, milestones, and key deliverables.
• Monitor expenditures and cash flow to help projects stay within budget and support responsible resource use.
• Partner with cross‑functional teams to resolve issues, gather updates, and keep communication flowing.
• Support continuous improvement by identifying risks, tracking dependencies, and helping teams stay on course.

Minimum Requirements

• A Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Construction Management or other job-related field from an accredited college or university plus one (1) year experience in project management, utility construction, customer-facing roles and/or other job-related fields.
• Or, Associates degree plus three (3) years experience in project management, utility construction, customer-facing roles and/or other job-related fields.
• Or, high school diploma/GED plus five (5) years experience in project management, utility construction, customer-facing roles and/or other job-related fields. Valid Arizona Drivers License.

Preferred Special Skills, Knowledge Or Qualifications

• Experience in electric utility industry and customer-facing roles.
• Ability to adapt and respond to a variety of stakeholders.
• Ability to manage complaints, negotiate and problem-solve.
• Proficiency in Windows, Word, Excel, CC&B, GIS, Maximo, Primavera and other work order/project management tools.
• Analytical skills for evaluating project variables.
• Basic electricity knowledge, drafting/CAD experience and completion of college-level algebra.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.

Major Accountabilities

• Successfully completes the APS Customer Project Training, including on‑the‑job training (OJT).
• Manages routine Level 1 and 2 design projects (e.g., upgrades, relocations, conversions, maintenance, street lighting, dusk‑to‑dawn lighting, new services) by planning, designing, scheduling and coordinating all facets of the project from initiation through construction, energization and close out. Supports more complex Level 3 design projects under guidance from a senior level project manager.
• Collaborates with customers, developers and internal departments to assess needs, determine scope, obtain plans/maps/drawings and make decisions regarding the design and installation of APS facilities.
• Identifies best source of APS power, cost‑effective design, usability of existing equipment based on load analysis and voltage drop calculations while adhering to required specifications.
• Assesses the need to obtain easements from property owners and permits from municipal authorities. Partners with APS Right‑of‑Way to obtain required easement and permit documents.
• Prepares work authorizations (WA) and job estimates. Determines and communicates customer charges required in advance of construction in accordance with the APS extension policy. Prepares and presents invoices to customers; manages scheduling and ensures job packages are complete prior to releasing jobs to construction.
• May conduct or coordinate inspections during installation of customer electric service facilities to ensure compliance with APS design standards. Provides instruction to customers/contractors to ensure hassle‑free service.
• Coordinates with internal departments and customers to communicate project requirements ensuring adherence to construction standards and safety code requirements.
• Maintains project management and customer information databases. Closes out projects upon completion.
• May coordinate with third‑party contractors or vendors. May assume additional planning responsibilities for jobs assigned to contractors.
• May provide emergency response support during emergency events such as summer storms or other catastrophic events.

Export Compliance / EEO Statement

This position may require access to and/or use of information subject to control under the Department of Energy's Part 810 Regulations (10 CFR Part 810), the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) (15 CFR Parts 730 through 774), or the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) (22 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter M Part 120) (collectively, 'U.S. Export Control Laws'). Therefore, some positions may require applicants to be a U.S. person, which is defined as a U.S. Citizen, a U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident (i.e. 'Green Card Holder'), a Political Asylee, or a Refugee under the U.S. Export Control Laws. All applicants will be required to confirm their U.S. person or non-US person status. All information collected in this regard will only be used to ensure compliance with U.S. Export Control Laws, and will be used in full compliance with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of national origin and other factors.

For positions at Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Stations (PVNGS) all openings will require applicants to be a U.S. person.

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates ('Pinnacle West') maintain a continuing policy of nondiscrimination in employment. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations. This policy of nondiscrimination shall include, but not be limited to, recruiting, hiring, promoting, compensating, reassigning, demoting, transferring, laying off, recalling, terminating employment, and training for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, disability, age, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, protected veteran status, or any other classification or characteristic protected by law.

For more information on applicable equal employment regulations, please refer to EEO is the Law poster. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of every person hired to work in the United States, refer to E-Verify poster. View the employee rights and responsibilities under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA).

In compliance with the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988, the Company is committed to a work environment that is free from the effects of alcohol and controlled substances, and free from the abuse or inappropriate use of prescribed and over‑the‑counter medications. The Company requires employees to be subject to drug and alcohol testing that is job-related and consistent with business necessity, regulatory requirements and applicable laws.

Onsite: Requires work to be performed in the field and/or at an APS facility. Depending on the responsibilities of the role, this may include, but is not limited to, working at a power plant, job site, or in the community.

• Employees are expected to reside in Arizona (or New Mexico for Four Corners-based employees).
• Role types are subject to change based on business need.