Specialist III, Environmental

Virginia Natural Gas; Virginia Beach (VA); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Natural Gas in Virginia Beach is seeking an environmental professional with 3+ years of relevant experience to support environmental compliance, permitting, inspections, due diligence, and field activities for natural gas infrastructure projects in Virginia. The role collaborates with internal teams, contractors, and regulators while building technical expertise.

Based at VNG’s HQ in Virginia Beach, the position offers a hybrid work model with 4 days in office and 1 day work-from-home,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of directly relevant environmental experience.
• Working knowledge of environmental permitting, construction stormwater requirements, erosion and sediment control practices, and field inspections.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit conditions, and environmental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing project priorities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to document field findings and explain compliance requirements clearly.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and a willingness to consult appropriate resources.
• Basic understanding of wetland, stream, and natural resource survey concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use GIS, SharePoint, databases, or other compliance tools.

Responsibilities

• Support environmental compliance for natural gas operations and construction projects.
• Assist with environmental permitting, agency coordination, and permit condition tracking.
• Conduct or support field inspections, site visits, stormwater reviews, erosion and sediment control inspections, and environmental compliance monitoring.
• Review construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit requirements, and environmental documents to identify compliance obligations and potential risks.
• Assist with environmental due diligence, desktop reviews, field surveys, and documentation for proposed projects.
• Help prepare, update, and maintain environmental plans and records, including SWPPP, SPCC, inspection reports, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate with internal project teams, construction personnel, contractors, consultants, and environmental peers to support timely project execution.
• Track regulatory requirements, emerging environmental issues, and company procedures that may affect assigned projects or operations.
• Support environmental compliance audits, waste management activities, training, reporting, and corrective action follow-up as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Skills

Environmental permitting

Stormwater management

Erosion and sediment control

Field inspections

Reading construction drawings

Communication skills

MS Office

GIS

SharePoint

Databases

Education

Bachelor's degree in a physical or natural science or related discipline

Master's degree in a physical or natural science or related discipline

Tools

GIS software

SharePoint

Databases

Job description

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), a Southern Company Gas subsidiary, is seeking an environmental professional with three or more years of relevant experience to support environmental compliance, permitting, inspections, and field activities for natural gas infrastructure projects in Virginia. This role is well suited for a developing environmental professional who can work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies while continuing to build technical expertise.

Primary responsibilities include supporting environmental permitting, compliance reviews, stormwater and erosion control inspections, due diligence, field documentation, and coordination with project teams to help meet applicable federal, state, and local environmental requirements.

The candidate should have working knowledge of environmental permitting, construction stormwater requirements, erosion and sediment control practices, field inspections, and environmental documentation. Familiarity with Virginia environmental agencies and permitting processes is preferred.

The job will be based at VNG’s corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Due the nature of this position, a hybrid work model (office and remote work) should be expected. VNG’s policy is 4-days in office, in the field, or at a customer location with 1-day work-from-home. This position supports all VNG’s business units; thus, office and work from home days may vary to meet business needs.

Job Location:

544 South Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Job Overview:

The successful candidate will provide environmental support for new and existing natural gas infrastructure by assisting with permitting, compliance tracking, field inspections, due diligence reviews, environmental documentation, and coordination with contractors, internal customers, consultants, and regulatory agencies. The position requires sound judgment, initiative, attention to detail, and the ability to manage assigned tasks in a dynamic team environment.

Key Duties And Responsibilities:

• Support environmental compliance for natural gas operations and construction projects.
• Assist with environmental permitting, agency coordination, and permit condition tracking.
• Conduct or support field inspections, site visits, stormwater reviews, erosion and sediment control inspections, and environmental compliance monitoring.
• Review construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit requirements, and environmental documents to identify compliance obligations and potential risks.
• Assist with environmental due diligence, desktop reviews, field surveys, and documentation for proposed projects.
• Help prepare, update, and maintain environmental plans and records, including SWPPP, SPCC, inspection reports, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate with internal project teams, construction personnel, contractors, consultants, and environmental peers to support timely project execution.
• Track regulatory requirements, emerging environmental issues, and company procedures that may affect assigned projects or operations.
• Support environmental compliance audits, waste management activities, training, reporting, and corrective action follow-up as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Required:

Education / Degree Qualifications:

• BA/BS in physical or natural science, including Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Geology, Engineering (Environmental, Civil, or similar) or other related discipline

Preferred:

Education / Degree Qualifications:

• MS in physical or natural science, including Biology, Environmental Science, Geology, Chemistry, Engineering (Environmental, Civil, or similar) or other related discipline

Applicable professional experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor’s degree for candidates with significant environmental compliance, permitting, utility, construction, or regulatory experience.

Required:

Work Experience & Skills:

• 3+ years of directly relevant environmental experience.
• Working knowledge of environmental permitting, construction stormwater requirements, erosion and sediment control practices, and field inspections.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit conditions, and environmental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing project priorities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to document field findings and explain compliance requirements clearly.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and a willingness to consult appropriate resources.
• Basic understanding of wetland, stream, and natural resource survey concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use GIS, SharePoint, databases, or other compliance tools.

Preferred:

• Experience supporting permitting or environmental compliance for utility, pipeline, construction, or linear infrastructure projects, including Virginia DEQ Annual Standards and Specifications.
• Virginia DEQ erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, inspection, plan reviewer, or related certification.
• Experience or training in construction stormwater inspections, SWPPP implementation, or erosion and sediment control best practices.
• Familiarity with wetland and waterbody delineation principles, biological field surveys, or natural resource permitting.
• Experience assisting with SPCC plans, waste management activities, NEPA documentation, or environmental compliance audits.
• Experience using Environmental Management Information Systems, GIS, or other compliance tracking tools.
• Experience with Virginia Environmental Justice Act
• Interest in environmental best practices, sustainability, or professional development through industry associations.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Travel requirements: This position may require travel within the VNG service area on occasional (5-10%) basis. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights an estimated two to three times per year.
• On-call duties: This position will require the ability to respond to urgent environmental issues when contacted during traditional and non-traditional work hours, as issues arise.On-call duties are estimated as 10% per year.
• Physical demands: This position frequently requires prolonged standing or walking, ability to lift minimum 20 pounds
• Work environment: This position will be in an office environment and may be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions when working with field operations, conducting facility inspections, facilitating assessments, etc.

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. 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.