Permitting Specialist (In Ofc 4 Days/Wk)

Southern Co.; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work policy

Job summary

Georgia Power Company, based in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a Permitting Specialist to ensure timely and compliant permits for utility projects. The role coordinates state and local permitting and serves as liaison among railroad, environmental, and other jurisdictions to keep project schedules on track.

The position supervises external permitting vendors, requires 3–5 years of relevant experience, a valid Georgia driver's license, and a Bachelor’s degree preferred.

Qualifications

• High school diploma is required.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field highly preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in permitting utility coordination, land acquisition support, power delivery, or regulatory affairs.
• Valid Georgia driver’s license.
• Experience reading engineering plans and interpreting regulatory requirements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate permitting activities, including monitoring progress, tracking status, facilitating communication among responsible parties, and supporting permits through final approval.
• Interpret regulatory requirements and advise project teams on permitting constraints, timelines, and compliance needs
• Maintain strong relationships with permitting authorities to streamline reviews and resolve issues efficiently
• Develop and maintain permitting logs, jurisdictional matrices, and dashboards to keep stakeholders informed
• Build strong rapport with state DOTs, counties, municipalities, inspectors, and other regulatory bodies
• Identify recurring permitting challenges and recommend process enhancements to reduce cycle times

Skills

Permitting coordination

DOT permitting

Project coordination

Stakeholder management

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Permitting Specialist

The position is based at Georgia Power Company’s corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia…Or at a local Georgia Power Operating Headquarters (specific location to be determined by the hiring manager) and follows the company’s hybrid work policy, which is currently four (4) days per week.

*** Some travel (up to 50%) is required for agency meetings, site visits, and project coordination.

** Please read the fleet driving verbiage at the bottom of the Job Description carefully prior to applying.

Job Summary

The Utility Permitting Specialist plays a key role in ensuring timely and compliant permits for utility infrastructure projects and serves as the primary permitting point of contact within the Land Department. This position focuses on state and local permitting and acts as a liaison among railroad, environmental, and other jurisdictional permitting requirements. The Specialist ensures all permitting pathways are coordinated, aligned, and executed efficiently to support project schedules and regulatory compliance.

This role also oversees external vendors providing permitting services to Georgia Power.

Education Requirements

• High school diploma required
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or similar) highly preferred

Licenses & Certifications

• Valid Georgia driver’s license

Experience Requirements

• 3–5 years of experience in permitting utility coordination, land acquisition support, power delivery, or regulatory affairs

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of state and local permitting processes (DOT, municipal ROW, zoning, land disturbance)
• Experience permitting linear utility projects (electric, gas, broadband, water/wastewater)
• Experience working with public agencies, contractors, or engineering firms
• Ability to read engineering plans and interpret regulatory requirements
• Working knowledge of transmission, distribution, substation, and/or generation facilities
• Excellent communication and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Proven ability to organize complex permitting workflows
• Familiarity with railroad permitting and environmental regulatory frameworks
• Project management experience (PMP, CAPM, or similar certification a plus)

Major Job Responsibilities

State & Local Permitting

• Oversee and coordinate permitting activities, including monitoring progress, tracking status, facilitating communication among responsible parties, and supporting permits through final approval.
• Interpret regulatory requirements and advise project teams on permitting constraints, timelines, and compliance needs
• Maintain strong relationships with permitting authorities to streamline reviews and resolve issues efficiently

Cross-Functional Coordination

• Serve as the bridge between railroad, environmental, and state/local permitting tracks to ensure alignment and prevent scope gaps
• Participate in project planning meetings to integrate permitting dependencies into schedules and risk assessments
• Collaborate closely with engineering, land acquisition, construction, environmental consultants, and legal teams

Railroad & Environmental Interface

• Coordinate with railroad permitting teams to ensure consistency between submittals and avoid design or timing conflicts
• Communicate environmental permit requirements (wetlands, cultural resources, threatened species, NEPA/SEPA elements, etc.) to ensure compatibility with state/local submissions
• Track parallel permitting processes and identify opportunities for combined reviews or sequencing efficiencies

Documentation & Quality Control

• Develop and maintain permitting logs, jurisdictional matrices, and dashboards to keep stakeholders informed
• Review engineering drawings, route maps, traffic control plans, and environmental documents for accuracy prior to submittal
• Ensure all permits are properly tracked, stored, and closed out for audit and compliance purposes

Relationship Management

• Build strong rapport with state DOTs, counties, municipalities, inspectors, and other regulatory bodies
• Represent the company professionally during meetings, site visits, and negotiations with permitting officials

Process Improvement

• Identify recurring permitting challenges and recommend process enhancements, templates, or standard approaches to reduce cycle times
• Keep the organization informed of regulatory updates, permitting trends, and best practices

Behavioral Attributes

• Detail-oriented, organized, and deadline-driven
• Proactive problem-solver who identifies and mitigates potential roadblocks
• Strong interpersonal skills and professionalism when engaging with regulatory agencies
• Adaptable to shifting priorities and evolving project scopes
• Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional environments
• Demonstrated ability to build and maintain long-term relationships and manage expectations effectively
• Sound decision-making skills to identify, communicate, and resolve issues efficientlyDemonstrates behaviors consistent with Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance

Vehicle and Driving Requirements

This position has been identified as a role that will require the use of a Georgia Power fleet vehicle. The following will be required if you are selected for this position:

• Must have at least one year of verifiable driving experience (Must hold a valid driver’s license for the class vehicle to be operated. Driving permits are not typically considered a valid driver’s license).
• Must have no revocation of driving privileges within the 36 months prior to application, no convictions of major traffic violations (DUI, hit and run, reckless driving, etc.) within the 12 months prior to application, or any pending charges for a major traffic violation at the time of application.
• Must consent to a continuous monitoring of your Motor Vehicle Record