Nuclear GIS Specialist Sr - Nuclear Dev - Columbus, OH

AEP; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 88,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (AEP) in Columbus, OH seeks a Geographical Information System Specialist for Nuclear Siting to provide geospatial analysis and mapping expertise for site identification and feasibility studies.

The role collaborates with engineering, environmental, and regulatory teams to integrate GIS insights into project planning while ensuring regulatory compliance and data security.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or related field with three (3) years qualified experience, or a two-year associate’s degree with five (5) years.
• Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and spatial analysis tools.
• Strong analytical and visualization skills; ability to communicate technical findings clearly.

Responsibilities

• Data Management & Analysis: Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial datasets; perform spatial analyses to evaluate site suitability.
• Mapping & Visualization: Create detailed maps, dashboards, and visualizations for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Collaboration & Support: Work with siting engineers, environmental specialists, and permitting teams; support interconnection studies.
• Compliance & Standards: Ensure GIS outputs meet regulatory standards; maintain data security and version control.

Skills

Geospatial analysis

Data management

Visualization

Python scripting

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or related field with 3 years of experience

Associate’s degree in the same disciplines with 5 years of experience

Tools

ArcGIS

QGIS

Python

Job description

Location: Columbus, OH

Category : Project Management/Controls

Job Summary

The Geographical Information System Specialist for Nuclear Siting supports advanced nuclear development by providing geospatial analysis and mapping expertise to identify and evaluate potential sites for nuclear facilities. This role involves managing spatial data, performing suitability analyses, and producing high-quality maps and visualizations to inform siting decisions. The GIS Specialist collaborates with engineering, environmental, and regulatory teams to integrate geospatial insights into feasibility studies and project planning.

Job Description

What You’ll Do:

Data Management & Analysis

• Collect, organize, and maintain geospatial datasets including land use, environmental constraints, infrastructure, and regulatory boundaries.
• Perform spatial analyses to evaluate site suitability based on technical, environmental, and socio-economic criteria.
• Develop models for proximity analysis (e.g., transmission lines, water sources, transportation access).

Mapping & Visualization

• Create detailed maps, dashboards, and visualizations for internal teams and external stakeholders.
• Prepare GIS layers for integration into feasibility reports and presentations.

Collaboration & Support

• Work closely with siting engineers, environmental specialists, and permitting teams to provide geospatial insights.
• Support interconnection studies by mapping grid infrastructure and analyzing transmission corridors.

Compliance & Standards

• Ensure GIS data and outputs meet industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain data security and version control for sensitive project information.

What We are Looking For:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree Geography, GIS, Environmental Science, or related field of study dependent upon business unit requirements with three (3) years qualified experience, or a two-year associate’s degree in the same required disciplines with five (5) years of qualified experience.
• Proficiency in GIS software (ArcGIS, QGIS) and spatial analysis tools.
• Strong analytical and visualization skills; ability to communicate technical findings clearly.

Preferred Skills

• Familiarity with nuclear siting considerations, environmental constraints, and regulatory frameworks.
• Experience with Python or other scripting for GIS automation.
• Knowledge of NRC siting guidelines and NEPA environmental review.
• Understanding of transmission planning and interconnection processes.

What You’ll Get: - $88k - $116k

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on-site)

$88k - $116k Year

#AEPCareers

#LI-ONSITE

Compensation

$87,633.00 - $109,543.00

Physical Demands

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: S – Sedentary Work: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally (Occasionally: activity or condition exists up to 1/3 of the time) and/or a negligible amount of force frequently. (Frequently: activity or condition exists from 1/3 to 2/3 of the time) to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally, and all other sedentary criteria are met.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

“Knowing that I am part of team that is making the power grid safer and more reliable gives me a real sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for coming to work every day.”

Manage, or assist in the management of, base, intermediate, and/or complex projects providing leadership, direction, coordination, and effective communication to initiate , plan, execute, monitor and control, and close projects in a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach to achieve short- and long-range goals and to obtain maximum customer satisfaction. Provide project transparency and develop relationships and effectively communicate with all stakeholders including internal customers, external customers, team members, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers, enabling them to make sound business decisions. Enable and promote team level continuous improvement activities that increase quality and optimize delivery of value.

This role will be responsible for coordinating project cost analysis and controls for team activities supporting the Project Managers (PMs), or other staff, including overseeing the cost reporting for multiple projects and monitoring project budgets to assure accurate depiction of project cost on large and complex projects under minimal supervision. Responsibilities include input of budgets within the AEP corporate systems, providing ongoing forecast updates and variance analysis at the program and project levels, input and tracking of key performance indicators, and working collaboratively with project teams to implement project management best practices throughout the project lifecycle. Provides communication and develops partnerships with internal and external customers. As a senior member of the team, expectations include developing/conducting training, leading continuous process improvement efforts and developing tools and processes utilized within the work group. Depending on the assigned business unit, this position might also be responsible for creation of work orders and having direct interface in coordinating with external contractors and vendors to integrate these parties into the overall project budget and schedule.

This role will be responsible for coordinating team activities and supporting the Project Managers (PMs). With minimal supervision, perform role as scheduler and/or commodity tracker for major projects. Support the development and analysis of a wide range of scope of work types, especially complex schedules using the assigned system. Must be self-motivated, an excellent communicator, and team focused individual able to demonstrate competency in scheduling techniques and analyses on all scope of work aspects. Additional duties include schedule maintenance, collecting progress data, developing and implementing scope of work schedule/status reports, and providing consistent, accurate information to the senior management team. The candidate must be able to interface with site execution teams, contractors, and AEP senior management.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.