Specialist I/II, Operations Quality Assurance

Southern Company; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 67,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Company Gas is seeking an Engineer/Spec I or II, Operations Quality Assurance to assess field work for compliance with Company policies and regulatory requirements. The role involves performing live and post- assessments, auditing records, and serving as a liaison during state inspections.

The position emphasizes training, collaboration with Safety and FO Support, and leadership in QA initiatives across multiple departments.

Qualifications

• BS in engineering or other analytical/technical discipline, or equivalent education/experience.
• 2+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 2+ years within QA.
• Good understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual.
• Ability to understand legislation and regulation.
• Effective trainer in formal and informal settings.

Responsibilities

• Performs operational assessments to evaluate work for compliance with policies and procedures across multiple areas.
• Participates in annual audits of compliance records and special audits of procedures or new staff.
• Interprets policies and acts as liaison during state field inspections.
• Performs QA audits at Southern Company Gas and related entities to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Teaches principles to others and contributes to process improvements.

Skills

Leadership

Time management

Microsoft Office

Communication

Self-starter

Education

BS in engineering or equivalent

Job description

This position is responsible for assessing in-progress and completed work (including documentation) for compliance with internal and external regulatory policies and procedures. The successful candidate must be able to conduct rigorous enforcement of laws and standards as well as influence the workforce regarding the importance of Quality through their emotional intelligence, operating proficiency, and technical skill sets.

The Engineer/Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed below are activities associated with the various levels of the Engineer/Specialist progression. This progression covers the following general titles:

Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance

Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance

Engineer/Spec Sr, Ops Quality Assurance

Please note - This position is posted as a job family and can be filled at an Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance or Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance depending on:

• Experience and/or education
• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability
• Complexity of programs administered, risk and responsibility, and budgetary value of managed work

Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in one to three (or more) of the following areas:

• Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
• Construction Operations – Company
• Construction Operations – Contractor
• Corrosion
• Field Operations – Distribution
• Field Operations – Service
• Leak Survey
• Storage & Peaking
• System Operations
• Technical Training
• Transmission
• Welding

Participates in the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits

Participates in special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees

Interprets Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual

Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections

Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements

Participates in event-learning analysis, with oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews) for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification

Participates in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company

Actively represents Gas Distribution and Southern Company within industry groups

Collaborates with Safety and FO Support departments to develop and implement programs and processes to minimize workplace hazards

Teaches principles to others

Participates in internal gas distribution audits, documenting findings, preparing reports, and communicating findings to management

Participates in internal process audits and helps develop necessary action plans for corrective measures

Qualifications

Education

BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or

Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:

• Asset Protection
• Construction Operations – Company
• Construction Operations – Contractor
• Corrosion
• Field Operations – Distribution
• Field Operations – Service
• Leak Survey
• Storage & Peaking
• System Operations
• Technical Training
• Transmission
• Welding

Experience

2+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 2+ years within QA

Knowledge

Good understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual

Ability to understand legislation and regulation

Effective trainer in formal and informal settings

Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures

Manages projects and processes, with supervision, delivering on-time results

Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative

Microsoft Office Suite – Basic proficiency

Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in three to four (or more) of the following areas:

• Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
• Construction Operations – Company
• Construction Operations – Contractor
• Corrosion
• Field Operations – Distribution
• Field Operations – Service
• Leak Survey
• Storage & Peaking
• System Operations
• Technical Training
• Transmission
• Welding

Informally oversees/supervises QA staff that conduct the QA assessments

Assists in on-boarding plans and technical knowledge plans for newly hired QAs at LDC

Collaborates on and/or co-leads the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits

Collaborates on and/or co-leads special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees

Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) in interpreting Company policies, procedures, and O&M Manual

Serves as Company liaison during State field inspections

Performs multiple out-of-state QA audits (record and field) at other Southern Company Gas companies to evaluate Company and contractor personnel compliance with Company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements

Performs main hit reviews for Field Operations – Delivery and Construction Operations – Company crews to determining OQ disqualification

Engages in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company

Proactively identifies latent conditions and organizational weaknesses and works with management to correct them

Performs and documents event-learning analysis with minimal oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews)

Assists in departmental budget management

Assists in complex and critical projects across multi-disciplinary and cross-functional departments

Serves as Subject Matter Expert (“SME”) to departments on matters of occupational safety, Quality Management Systems, and compliance

Qualifications

Education

BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or

Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:

• Asset Protection
• Construction Operations – Company
• Construction Operations – Contractor
• Corrosion
• Field Operations – Distribution
• Field Operations – Service
• Leak Survey
• Storage & Peaking
• System Operations
• Technical Training
• Transmission
• Welding

Experience

4+ years operations experience in a gas utility in three or more field operating departments, or 4+ years within QA

Knowledge

Thorough understanding of Company policies, procedures, and O&M manual

Ability to understand and analyze legislation and regulation

Coaches and mentors less-tenured employees

Effective trainer in formal and informal settings

Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures

Manages projects and processes, with some supervision, delivering on-time results

Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative

Microsoft Office Suite – Intermediate proficiency

Specific Skills & Knowledge

• Leads by example, building strong, trusting relationships with internal- and industry contacts
• Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with supervisors and managers
• Ability to effectively communicate assessment findings
• Oral and written communications are clear, concise, and timely
• Ability to learn program databases, software applications, and other technology tools quickly
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong organizational and time-management skills
• Strong presentation and team facilitation skills
• Strong project management skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills

Business Acumen

• Recommends updates/revisions to policies, procedures, or OPM-based field observations where procedures may not be followed because they are unclear, incorrect, or non-existent
• Communicates leading- and lagging indicators to management
• Supports achieving Quality objectives, goals, and targets
• Determines Quality best practices to support the Company’s goals by consulting with Company representatives (internal peers and other key business units)

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• Occasional traveler (5-20% travel).The incumbent will be required to travel on occasion.Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights
• Must be able to work in the field under a variety of weather conditions
• This position requires constant standing or walking
• This position occasionally requires the incumbent to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl
• This position requires the ability to lift up to 10 pounds
• The incumbent works in an office environment
• The incumbent may/will work near or with moving mechanical parts
• The incumbent may/will be exposed to fumes, airborne particles, or chemicals
• The incumbent may/will be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions
• The incumbent may/will be exposed to excessive noise

Rotational On-Call Duties

• Must be able to respond to urgent Quality issues when contacted
• Availability to respond to assist in emergency situations when needed
• Engineer/Spec II: Will be part of departmental on-call rotation for pipeline incident emergency response and liaison with regulatory authorities on a voluntary basis

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 in the job; responsibilities may be changed or added without advance notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

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: 21765

Job Category: Gas Pipeline Operations & Maintenance

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Nicor Gas

Pay Range: $67,159.00 - $121,405.90 USD Annually: Base salary varies depending on a wide array of factors, which may include but are not limited to the specific office location, role, skill set, and level of experience. As required by local law, and at the time of this posting, this is the reasonable salary range for this role.