This position is responsible for assessing work in progress and completed work (including documentation) for compliance with internal and external regulatory policies and procedures. The successful candidate must be able to influence the workforce on the importance of quality through their emotional intelligence, skill sets, and capability.
Please note - this position is posted as a job family and can be filled at an Engineer/Specialist I, Operations Quality Assurance, or Engineer/Specialist II, Operations 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
The Engineer/Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed are activities associated with the various levels of the Engineer/Specialist progression. This progression covers the following general titles:
- Engineer/Specialist I, Operations Quality Assurance
- Engineer/Specialist II, Operations Quality Assurance
Functional Expertise
- Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate work performed by field personnel for compliance with Company policies and procedures (which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and Company-mandated requirements) in 1 - 3 or more of the following areas:
+ Construction Operations
+ Field Operations
+ System Operations
+ Storage/Peaking
+ Transmission
+ Asset Protection
+ Leak Survey
+ Field Training/Welding
+ Corrosion
- 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 to determining OQ disqualification
- Actively represents Gas Distribution and Southern Company within industry groups
- Collaborate with Safety and FO Support departments to develop and implement programs and processes to minimize workplace hazards
- Teaches principles to others
- Performs and documents event learning analysis with minimal oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews)
- Evaluates timeliness and implementation schedules (i.e. NOE action plans)
- Anticipates issues and proposes action plans for correction
- Participates in meetings to communicate project (i.e. targeted or focused audits) progress and details to affected parties
- Delivers frequent feedback to team members
- Promote Southern Company Gas Safety- and Quality Management Systems
- Ability to learn and interpret 49 CFR 192 regulations
- Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) to departments on matters of occupational safety, Quality Management Systems, and compliance
- Ability to understand and recognize hazards
- Ability to lead and direct Quality expectations with employees
- Support implementation of Southern Company Gas Quality Management Systems
- Conduct inspections (facility, worksite, etc.) to ensure compliance
- Train, coach, and deliver presentations to educate employees on Quality Management principles
- Provide emergency response support
- Promote the Southern Company Gas Safety Culture and Safety Value
- Promote required Personal Protective Equipment
Engineer/Specialist I, Operations Quality Assurance
- 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 Operations Procedure Manual (OPM)
- Participates in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
- 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
Engineer/Specialist II, Operations Quality Assurance
- 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 in 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 in interpreting company policies, procedures and OPM manual
- Engaged 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
- Assists in internal gas distribution audits, documenting findings, preparing reports, and communicating findings to management
- Assists in internal process audits and develops necessary action plans for corrective measures
- Assists in departmental budget management
- Assists in complex and critical projects across multi-disciplinary and cross-functional departments
Business Acumen
- Recommends updates/revisions to policies, procedures or OPM manual-based field observations where procedures may not be followed because they are not clear, incorrect, or non-existent
- Communicate leading and lagging indicators to management
- Support achieving Quality objectives, goals, and targets
- Determine Quality best practices to support the company’s goals by consulting with company representatives (internal peers and other key business units)
Engagement
- Provides guidance and coaching to supervisors, field personnel, and training personnel on how to interpret policies, procedures, and OPM manual
- Represents QA department at supervisor roundtables and presents assessment findings for area of assessment responsibility
- Coaches supervisors on the content of the assessment form and on how to conduct effective assessments
- Desire to create strong field presence daily
- Demonstrate good communication and interpersonal skills at all levels within the Company necessary to guide business units and individuals with respect to Quality and Safety issues
- Develop and conduct presentations for business and safety meetings, committee meetings, safety summits, supervisor, manager and director roundtable meetings, and other presentation on quality-related standards and policies
- Support and encourage development of a Quality culture
Driving Results
- Promotes safe work practices by shutting down job if unsafe situation is encountered during an assessment or if activity affecting the integrity of the pipeline does not meet company standards
- Prepares assessment report and communicates assessment findings to crews, supervisors, and managers
- Recommends additional training, if deemed necessary, for field personnel based on findings of field assessments
- Analyzes individual and departmental assessment findings and follows up on poor performance observed in previous assessments
- Evaluates employee performance for safety and quality workmanship
- Conduct quality compliance assessments. Drive the business units to correct deficiencies by conducting follow-up assessments and audits with the business leaders
- Direct and oversee investigations of process quality incidents such as self-inflicted main and service investigations
- Monitor implementation of corrective and preventive actions to prevent further incidents
- Support quality programs critical to changing behaviors
JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills )
Education/Licenses
- Valid drivers license
- BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or
- Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following:
+ Construction Operations, Field Operations, System Operations, Storage/Peaking, Transmission, Asset Protection, Leak Survey, Field Training/Welding, or Corrosion
Experience
Engineer/Specialist I, Operations Quality Assurance
- 2+ years operations experience in a gas utility in 3 or more field operating departments, or 2+ years within QA
Engineer/Specialist II, Operations Quality Assurance
- 4+ years operations experience in a gas utility in 3 or more field operating departments, or 4+ years within QA
Knowledge
- Thorough understanding of company policies, procedures, and OPM manual
- Ability to understand and analyze legislation and regulation
- 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
- 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 moderate oversight, delivering on-time results
- Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and to take initiative
- Microsoft Office Suite – Intermediate proficiency
- 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
- ASQ Certification, as required
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
On-Call Duties
- Must be able to respond to urgent Quality issues when contacted
- Availability to respond to and assist with emergency situations when needed
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.
Job Identification: 12704
Job Category: Gas Pipeline Operations & Maintenance
Job Schedule: Full time
Company: Chattanooga Gas
