Permitting Specialist (In Ofc 4 Days/Wk)

Southern Company•Atlanta, GA

9d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Utility Permitting Specialist plays a key role in securing 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. 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. Please read the fleet driving verbiage at the bottom of the Job Description carefully prior to applying.

Requirements

High school diploma required
Valid Georgia driver’s license
3–5 years of experience in permitting utility coordination, land acquisition support, power delivery, or regulatory affairs
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
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
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

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or similar) highly preferred
Project management experience (PMP, CAPM, or similar certification a plus)

Responsibilities

Lead the preparation, submission, tracking, and approval of state and local permits for utility work (DOT, municipal, county, zoning, rights-of-way, and encroachment)
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
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
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
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
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
Identify recurring permitting challenges and recommend process enhancements, templates, or standard approaches to reduce cycle times
Keep the organization informed of regulatory updates, permitting trends, and best practices