Sr. Specialist, Environmental

Atlanta, GA

The (Sr.) Environmental Specialist will be part of the Environmental Affairs Department and will be responsible for supporting all aspects of planning, permitting, and on-going environmental compliance for Company facilities located in Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, and Virginia. Facilities include Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), propane peaking, underground natural gas storage, Renewable Natural Gas (RNG), and other natural gas system assets. While a large proportion of the responsibilities will pertain to Federal and State air compliance regulations/permits related to the Clean Air Act (CAA), the position may also oversee other compliance activities associated with the Clean Water Act (CWA), Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule, Emergency Planning & Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA), Toxic Substance Control Act (TSCA), Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA or “Superfund”). Additionally, this role may provide additional support to Corporate Sustainability.

The role requires a high level of attention to detail and accuracy. A successful candidate should have the ability to lead and participate in a cross-functional team environment and demonstrated ability to learn new environmental disciplines quickly and effectively. Experience in air compliance programs is a plus.

The preferred location for this position is Southern Company Gas’s (SCG) corporate headquarters in Atlanta, GA; however, the position could be based at Nicor Gas (a SCG subsidiary) in Naperville, IL. A hybrid work model (office and remote work) should be expected.

Job duties & responsibilities

Oversee, prepare, review, and submit permit applications and various environmental compliance reports. Develop compliance plans, calculating and reporting air emissions, monitoring compliance status and maintaining compliance records as required.
Serve as the Company’s technical resource on air quality impact assessment and permitting programs, including regulatory analyses of industrial facility operations; major and minor source air permit applications under NSR, PSD, Title V, and state-level regulations (including Registration of Smaller Sources in IL); NESHAP, MACT compliance programs.
Develop and maintain a robust air compliance program. This includes program management as well as leading and directing outside consultants and ensuring environmental scope remains within budget.
Obtain annual SCG greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data and annual reporting via the EPA Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP) and collaborate with the Corporate Sustainability team on GHG data including obtaining data from various operating and accounting departments.
Plan and support execution of sampling, testing, modeling, and monitoring of regulated air pollutants.
Evaluate current and proposed environmental codes, standards, regulations, and guidelines to determine and advise the Company on impacts to current and future business activities.
Evaluate compliance risks, permitting requirements, cost, and schedule associated with Company projects.
Prepare and/or manage semi-annual and annual air compliance reporting obligations (e.g., compliance certifications and annual emission reports).
Work closely with industry groups, peers, and Southern Company’s Environmental Affairs team members surrounding air and other environmental compliance matters.
Interact with internal teams, clients, and regulators to steward impact assessments, permit application review and issuance.
Train permit owners within the Company to ensure they understand permit conditions and requirements.
Perform compliance assessments and implement follow-up corrective actions to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
Support Southern Company corporate reporting by coordinating and providing data and information as requested and assist in special projects and initiatives.

Ideal candidate will have:

BS in Chemical, Environmental, or Energy Engineering, Environmental Science, or related discipline
A minimum of 6 years of environmental compliance experience. Experience in Clean Air Act compliance including NSPS, PSD/NSR, NESHAP, and Title V and/or other environmental compliance programs is a strong plus.
Ability to effectively manage consultants and stay in budget.
Ability to read and interpret regulatory requirements for air permitting/compliance, waste generation compliance, and other environmental regulations.
Ability to work across business functions and with internal/external parties to ensure environmental compliance.
Ability to conduct trainings or other presentations to a wide variety of internal and external audiences.
Ability to convey status and escalate compliance and permitting matters to upper management.
Personnel and project management skills and ability to balance workload and prioritize tasks/projects.
Oral and written communication skills as well as analysis, problem solving, compliance, leadership, and process efficiency skills

Behavioral Attributes

Must be committed to safe work practices and recognize personal safety, as well as coworkers' safety, as primary importance.
Must demonstrate commitment to behaviors consistent with company culture - Unquestionable Trust, Superior Performance and Total Commitment.
Must be committed to excellence, produce high quality work in an efficient manner.
Must demonstrate the ability to work effectively with others in a team environment.
Must be self-directed with strong initiative.

Working Conditions

This position will be in an office and field environment.
Project field visits are required during all types of weather (hot, cold, wet).

Travel: Up to 20%

Disclaimer: This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required of employees in the job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of over four million U.S. households and businesses. As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, we're working to ensure that Americans have access to a supply of clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas for decades to come. We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.

Southern Company is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission.

The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.

Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Category: Environmental & Forestry

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Atlanta Gas Light