Environmental Planning/Siting (GIS) Specialist

WSP Global Inc.; Cincinnati (OH); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Environmental Planning/Siting (GIS) Specialist to join the Cincinnati team. You will plan, execute, and lead siting and routing studies for energy projects in Ohio and nearby states, using ArcGIS to analyze spatial data and prepare defensible reports and maps.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in urban or environmental planning and 3+ years of ArcGIS experience, along with strong technical writing and collaboration skills. Travel to project sites will be required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience conducting siting and routing studies.
• 3+ years of experience with ESRI ArcGIS (ArcMap/ArcGIS Pro).
• Excellent technical writing, clear communication, and ability to work in multidisciplinary teams.
• Willing to travel for site visits and meetings.

Responsibilities

• Plan, execute, and lead siting and routing studies for energy projects in Ohio and surrounding states.
• Prepare siting/maps and defensible reports; create plan maps for environmental plans and permits.
• Liaise with governmental agencies, clients, and project team members.
• Support state filing requirements and contribute to public open houses and permitting processes.

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Environmental Planning/Siting (GIS) Specialist for our Cincinnati, OH.

Take part in providing local technical planning assistance for capturing, modeling, and analyzing study area information, geographical resources, and spatial and tabular data to inform and create plans for site and/or linear utility projects in the Midwest. Tasks may include providing support under general supervision for a wide range of services related to the preparation of siting and routing studies, site visits and/or public open houses, preparing field maps and processing data for ecological studies, and creating plan maps for various environmental plans and permits. Candidate will need to generate accurate and concise documentation, ensuring that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards.

Your Impact

• Plan, execute, and lead siting and routing studies for various energy industry projects in Ohio and surrounding states.
• Gather background data for project areas, prepare siting and routing maps, participate in meetings to document findings to clients and/or agencies, participate in public open house meetings, conduct windshield surveys of proposed sites and/or routes, and document the siting process at the end of the process into a defensible report.
• Liaison with various governmental agencies, clients, and team members.
• Support siting reports that document the siting process and why a site or route was selected.
• Provide guidance on state filing requirements and subsequently writing components for various public utility applications.
• Utilize ArcGIS to support siting, ecological and environmental permitting projects through the analysis and management of data for various team members and clients.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as maps, tables, charts, accurate reports and illustrations.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Urban Planning, Environmental Planning, or a related field (or equivalent experience.)
• 3+ years of experience conducting siting and routing studies, preferably in Ohio and surrounding states.
• 3+ years of experience with ESRI's ArcGIS platform.
• Familiarity with performing routing/siting studies and analyses, and preparing associated reports.
• Excellent technical writing skills, clear communicator, ability to work as part of multidisciplinary teams, and attention to detail.
• Attention and commitment to timely completion of high-quality work, often independently motivated.
• Willing to do some travel for site visits and attend public open house meetings.
• High level of motivation, positive attitude, willingness to learn and take on responsibility.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Travel will be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 5 years of experience conducting siting and routing studies, preferably in Ohio and surrounding states.
• 5 years of experience with ESRI's ArcGIS platform.
• Experience preparing applications for submittal to the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), Kentucky Public Utilities Commission (PUC), and other states.
• Previous consulting experience.
• Experience with both ArcMap and ArcGIS Pro.
• Relationships and understanding of requirements for utility companies in Ohio and surrounding states.

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