Permitting Specialist (In Ofc 4 Days/Wk)

Georgia Power Company; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Georgia Power Company in Atlanta, GA seeks a Permitting Specialist to ensure timely and compliant permits for utility infrastructure projects. You will serve as the primary permitting contact within the Land Department, coordinating with railroad, environmental, and local authorities while overseeing external permitting vendors.

The role requires state/local permitting experience, strong communication, and the ability to manage complex workflows.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of experience in permitting utility coordination or regulatory affairs
• Strong knowledge of state and local permitting (DOT, municipal ROW, zoning)
• Experience with railroad and environmental permitting
• Ability to read engineering plans and interpret regulatory requirements
• Familiarity with railroad/environmental regulatory frameworks
• Project management experience (PMI / CAPM a plus)

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate state and local permitting activities from start to final approval
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to integrate permitting dependencies into project plans
• Interface with railroad and environmental teams to align submittals and timelines
• Maintain permitting logs, matrices, and dashboards for stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with permitting authorities to streamline reviews
• Identify recurring permitting challenges and propose process improvements

Skills

Permitting processes

Stakeholder management

Regulatory compliance

Project coordination

Reading plans

Education

Bachelor’s degree related field

High school diploma

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.

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

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

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