Environmental Affairs Engineer/Specialist

JOB SUMMARY:   

The Southern Power Environmental Affairs Engineer/Specialist position is responsible for strategic leadership, project management, and technical support for utility scale electric power generation projects across multiple technologies, including wind, solar, battery storage, fuel cells, and gas/oil-fired combustion turbines/combined cycles.  Major job responsibilities include providing environmental compliance support for Southern Power’s generating fleet; interpreting regulations and providing guidance to affected facilities; preparing and submitting various environmental reports; project management for due diligence associated with project acquisitions; obtaining required environmental permits for new generation development; interfacing and effectively negotiating permit conditions with state and federal regulatory agencies; reviewing and approving environmental construction and operational permits and plans; and managing environmental budgets. The successful candidate must be capable of managing and prioritizing multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment including managing technical consultants, managing project budgets, providing technical review and guidance for contracts, permits, and other environmentally related documentation, and effectively communicating and interfacing with site managers at generation facilities, other internal organizations, and a broad array of external stakeholders.

Job Requirements: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills)

• Bachelors (or higher) degree in engineering, biology, chemistry, geology, environmental science, or other relevant discipline required

Prior work experience in one or more of the following areas is desirable:

• Work experience with air, water, waste, and/or species/natural resources related to environmental, regulatory, power generation siting, permitting, construction, compliance, and/or reporting
• Work experience collaborating with and/or managing external stakeholder relationships
• Direct experience in areas such as project management, development, environmental, consulting, regulatory agency or operations

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills
• Proven ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing with groups and one-on-one
• Proven ability to prioritize and coordinate multiple deliverables by engaging with internal and external teams
• Ability to recognize diverse opinions, reduce conflict and promote an inclusive work environment
• Knowledge of electric utility business, environmental, operations, engineering or legal principles
• Project management skills and business acumen with the ability to concurrently manage numerous tasks on multiple projects
• Ability to research, analyze, and self-teach new and challenging material and synthesize data and information from a variety of resources to formulate timely business strategies

Behavioral Attributes:

• Demonstrate Our Values: Safety First, Intentional Inclusion, Act with Integrity, and Superior Performance
• Ability to develop a positive culture, lead by example, and serve as a role model for ethical and compliant professional behavior
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with regulatory agency personnel and other external stakeholders
• Demonstrate ability to provide outstanding service to clients/customers
• Adaptable and flexible in a rapidly changing environment
• Promotes collaboration with internal and external groups 
• Critical thinker, self-starter, takes initiative to proactively solve problems and persistently manage processes toward successful outcomes