Permitting Specialist (In Ofc 4 Days/Wk)

Southern Company; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company seeks a Permitting Specialist to lead timely, compliant permit activities for utility infrastructure projects. You will serve as the permitting focal point within the Land Department, coordinating with railroad, environmental, and regulatory teams to align workflows and schedules.

Responsibilities include overseeing external permitting vendors, maintaining logs, and guiding teams through state/local processes while interfacing with public agencies and contractors.

Qualifications

• Understanding of state/local permitting processes (DOT, ROW, zoning).
• Experience with permitting linear utility projects (electric, gas, broadband, water/wastewater).
• Ability to read engineering plans and interpret regulatory requirements.
• Experience working with public agencies, contractors, or engineering firms.

Responsibilities

• Oversee and coordinate permitting activities across state/local tracks.
• Interpret regulatory requirements and advise project teams on permitting constraints, timelines, and compliance needs.
• Maintain relationships with permitting authorities to streamline reviews and resolve issues.

Skills

Permitting processes

Stakeholder management

Regulatory knowledge

Engineering plans reading

Project coordination

Communication skills

Railroad permitting

Environmental interfaces

Education

Bachelor’s degree in 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.

***** 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, and 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 efficiently

• Demonstrates behaviors consistent with Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance

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

  Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the Company's promise to 2.6 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable, and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the Company is recognized by J.D. Power and Associates as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeogiaPower.com and connect with the Company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

• 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.