Asset Protection Specialist

AbilityLinks; Newport News (VA); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company Gas is seeking a skilled Asset Protection professional to safeguard assets across distribution and transmission pipelines. The role involves coordinating with excavators, contractors, and landowners, conducting audits and damage investigations, and ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations.

You will serve as liaison to locate contractors, perform inspections of right-of-way, and manage documentation in compliance systems.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of quality assurance concepts.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including influencing and/or negotiation.
• Operator Qualified in accordance with Company Plan: the ability to obtain within required timeline.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Asset Protection liaison between excavators, municipalities, builders and other stakeholders.
• Conduct quality audits on locate contractors and right-of-way contractors.
• Conduct damage investigations and provide reports to the Virginia State Corporation Commission.
• Represent the company at Local Damage Prevention meetings.
• Ensure compliance with contracts, patrols, inspections and audits.

Skills

QA concepts

Interpersonal skills

Negotiation

Operator Qualified

Bilingual

Education

High school diploma or GED

State driver’s license

Real Estate/License preferred

Tools

Computer literacy

Job description

JOB SUMMARY

The purpose of this position is to protect company assets from damages, encumbrances and encroachments on all distribution and transmission pipelines, their associated abutments, land rights-of-way and easement rights. This is an operational role that requires ensuring compliance is maintained with state, federal and corporate pipeline safety regulations and standards for AGL Resources (AGLR) and subsidiaries.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES & ACCOUNTABILITIES BY COMPETENCY

• Serves as company Asset Protection liaison between excavators, municipalities, builders, developers, landowners, logging operators, AGL Contractors and/or their agents / contractors, etc. by responding to any issues or concerns.
• Conduct quality audits on locate contractors and right-of-way contractors to ensure compliance and quality is maintained while updating the required electronic system.
• Conducts all 2nd and 3rd party damage investigations and provides thorough and accurate damage reports to be submitted to the Virginia State Corporation Committee. Determines root cause of damages and address issues with locate contractor or excavator on site and provides training as necessary.
• Serve as liaison to the excavating community, internal stakeholders and locators by resolving Difficult to Locate Issues to ensure a proper locate is completed and no down time claim occurs.
• Conducts education sessions with locate contractors, excavators, landowners and homeowners regarding protecting assets.
• Monitor and coordinate compliance and safety issues for locating, right-of –way maintenance and submerged crossings. Stand by when any work is being performed on or near AGLs High Profile facilities by 2nd or 3rd party excavators.
• Conduct inspections of the right-of-way per Federal Code192 requirements, installing pipeline markers as required and documenting issues in the required electronic system where the incumbent follows up on the issues until resolved.
• Coordinate submerged crossing inspections, blasting and excavation activities on and off our Right-of-Ways to protect AGL assets.
• Respond to Asset Protection High Profile facilities, incidents and emergencies on and off our Right-of-Ways.
• Monitor monthly compliance reports to ensure resolution, i.e., aerial patrol, etc.
• Locates gas mains on the Right-of-ways per AGLs construction policy for AGL Contractors.
• Meet with excavators to resolve field conflicts
• Follow Company Standard ROW procedures ensuring proper forms are utilized and records remain up-to-date, i.e., encroachment agreements, right-of-way patrols and maps, etc.
• Monitor and work with the Locate contractor to correct performance.

Business Acumen

• Attend large project pre-con meetings and monitor progress to protect assets.
• Monitor and follow-up on daily ticket load to prevent future damages.
• Assist with damage investigations at time of damage or during research.
• Conducts research on easement and encroachment issues.

Engagement

• Represent company at Local Damage Prevention meetings.
• Oversee and inspect all right-of-way maintenance, remediation, mowing and side trimming in assigned area to ensure it has been completed to AGL specifications.
• Support Trade Show, Industry Committees and One Call events regarding Asset Protection.

Driving Results

• Ensure compliance and requirements are met relating to contracts, patrols, inspections and audits.
• Ensure required Asset Protection documentation through Compliance Tracking Systems and SharePoint Sites or other electronic means remain up-to-date.
• Review quality issues with management and implement improvements to protect assets.

Education, Certifications/Licenses

Required

• High school diploma or GED with a State driver's license.

Preferred

• Associates /BA/BS degree with a Real Estate Appraisal License or equivalent academic education and field operations experience.

Related Work Experience

Required

• Minimum of 3 years utility field operations experience or related work experience

Preferred

• 2 years’ experience in Locating Natural Gas.

Specific Skills & Knowledge

Required

• Knowledge of quality assurance concepts, Computer literacy - basic proficiency
• Well-developed interpersonal skills including influencing and/or negotiation, Operator Qualified in accordance with Company Plan: the ability to obtain within required timeline.

Preferred

• Knowledge of easement rights, engineering, locating and surveying principles, knowledge and
• experience with AGL pipeline system, knowledge of real estate terminology; knowledge of terms used by developers and Bilingual skills.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

• Stooping, kneeling, reaching above and below shoulders; frequent bending
• Climbing in and out of manholes
• Extensive digging
• Carrying equipment up to 30 lbs.
• Walking long distances to inspect facilitates
• Walk up to 5 miles per day
• Exposure to outdoor elements (rain, sun, heat, cold)
• 95% of time is spent in the field
• Subject to after-hours callouts to respond to damages or high-profile emergency situations

About Southern Company Gas

Southern Company Gas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Atlanta-based Southern Company (NYSE:SO), America’s premier energy company. Southern Company Gas serves approximately 4.2 million natural gas utility customers through its regulated distribution companies in four states and approximately 600,000 retail customers through its companies that market natural gas. Other nonutility businesses include investments in interstate pipelines and ownership and operation of natural gas storage facilities. For more information, visit southerncompanygas.com .

Southern Company (NYSE: SO ) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million 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 solutions provider 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 customers' and communities' needs while advancing our goal of net-zero greenhouse gas 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 has been recognized by a variety of organizations, earning the company awards and recognitions that reflect Our Values and dedication to service. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and benefits will also be provided during the hiring process.

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 Identification: 22381

Job Category: Construction

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Virginia Natural Gas