Environmental Specialist

Environmental Consultant

This position is responsible for providing consultation, permitting, coordination and support to all of Georgia Power's business units where construction and maintenance activities may affect a variety of environmental resources including freshwater wetlands, streams, salt marshes, state buffers, federal and state-protected species, migratory birds and other related features. Responsibilities include wetlands and waters delineation, managing ecological surveys, GIS database preparation and data analysis, strategic coordination with internal customers and regulatory agencies, implementation of Section 404 of the Clean Water Act (CWA), and assuring compliance with CWA regulations. This position will interact frequently with internal customers, consultants, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders.

Primary office location will be GPC Headquarters, 241 Ralph McGill Boulevard, Atlanta, GA

In Office/Field 4 days per week

Position will support a combination of Metro Atlanta/Northeast/Central Georgia

Central Georgia consists of metro Atlanta, Conyers, Newnan, Macon. Northeast Georgia consists of Dawsonville, Gainesville, Athens, Augusta.

Education:

• BS in biological sciences, ecology, natural resource studies or related environmental field
• Professional certifications, such as Professional Wetland Scientist or Certified Ecologist, a plus

Experience:

• Five or more years of experience working in the natural resources field;
• 3+ years experience in wetland and waters delineation;
• 3+ years experience in Section 404 of the Clean Water Act permitting and the Endangered Species Act;
• Permitting and compliance in linear and stand-alone construction activities;
• Experience with NEPA, wildlife management, aquatic biology, and/or fisheries biology, a plus.
• Basic GIS use experience required

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to synthesize technical information and communicate in a manner suitable for technical and non-technical audiences;
• Proficient with GPS equipment and GIS databases;
• Working knowledge of applicable state and federal environmental regulations and agencies;
• Excellent oral and written (business and scientific) communication skills;
• Judgement skills necessary to make decisions, solve problems and implement solutions;
• Strong organizing, planning and scheduling skills;
• Ability to drive vehicles on and off-road; Some overnight travel is required;
• Ability to work independently and on teams, without direct supervision, outside normal business hours and outdoors in a variety of weather and field conditions.

Behavior:

• Must demonstrate behaviors consistent with Southern Company values, Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, Superior Performance
• Effective interpersonal and relationship building skills that facilitate teamwork across business units;
• Works as a team player and takes personal responsibility for successes and failures.
• Self-directed with strong initiative and proactive approach.

Major Job Responsibilities:

• Provide information, guidance, permitting coordination and cost-effective compliance assistance to Georgia Power business units for Section 404 of the Clean Water Act, Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act, EPD Stream Buffer Variance process and mitigation programs;
• Understand GPC core business unit needs and processes; work with diverse teams to avoid natural resource impacts where practical and secure required permits when necessary;
• Negotiate and resolve natural resource issues with state or federal agencies, including U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Georgia Department of Natural Resources the Environmental Protection Division and the Coastal Resources Division, and Georgia Department of Transportation;
• Perform Program Reviews to assure compliance, enhance communication and implement environmental awareness;
• Demonstrate behaviors consistent with Safety First, Intentional Inclusions, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Produce high-quality work in an efficient manner, demonstrating initiative, personal responsibility, building internal and external relationships;
• Review and comment on proposed regulatory changes to reduce impact to GPC's business units;
• Communicate technical issues effectively to customers, agencies and management;
• Promote and support the Company's environmental policies, conservation and stewardship in all areas of business and external engagement;
• Drive continuous improvement in our technology and business processes;
• Actively support the Company's storm restoration and emergency response efforts.

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