Job Description
Compliance Specialist Job Summary
The Compliance Specialist maintains knowledge and ensures operational compliance with all applicable laws, permits, and regulations as they apply to the plant. This position regularly interfaces with regulatory agencies and external partners (ADEM, EPA, OSHA, Department of Health, etc.). It assists in permit application development and reporting processes and ensures timely notification of the appropriate agency(s) in cases of non-compliance.
The Compliance Specialist must be able to recognize operational or environmental issues that require attention and address them appropriately. This position provides strategic leadership for environmental goals and initiatives and includes compliance activities related to power plant operations to ensure adherence to OSHA and EPA standards.
The successful candidate will model our Core Values (Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Total Commitment, and Superior Performance) and lead by example in safety and compliance.
Job Responsibilities
- Maintain compliance with all environmental laws, regulations, and permits.
- Support plant operations and maintenance while ensuring environmental and safety standards are met.
- Monitor equipment and coordinate with plant personnel and contractors to maintain compliance.
- Investigate non-compliance incidents, manage notifications, and lead emergency response activities.
- Perform environmental sampling and inspections (Landfill, Ash Pond, SPCC, BMP, etc.).
- Collaborate with internal and external partners on compliance programs and permit renewals.
- Develop and update environmental compliance strategies, policies, and procedures.
- Manage compliance activities related to plant equipment, ensuring adherence to OSHA and EPA standards.
- Coordinate environmental stewardship activities.
- Conduct annual risk assessments and implement corrective action plans.
- Deliver compliance and safety training for employees and contractors.
- Participate in on-call rotation and occasional night/weekend work as required.
Job Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field or equivalent experience - Required
Regulatory Knowledge:
- Working knowledge of current state and federal environmental laws and regulations (e.g., NPDES, DOT HazMat Shipping, Landfills, Hazardous/Solid/Universal Wastes, Oil Spills/SPCC, BMP) as they apply to a fossil generation plant or similar heavy industrial facility – Strongly desired
- Familiarity with OSHA/EPA standards- Strongly desired
Technical Expertise:
- Knowledge of fossil generation environmental and compliance programs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to deliver effective presentations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and plant systems (MAXIMO, OIS, EDAS).
- Must be certified, or able to gain certification, to perform specific functions related to this job (CAOHC, VE, and DOT)
Compliance Specialist Job Summary
The Compliance Specialist maintains knowledge and ensures operational compliance with all applicable laws, permits, and regulations as they apply to the plant. This position regularly interfaces with regulatory agencies and external partners (ADEM, EPA, OSHA, Department of Health, etc.). It assists in permit application development and reporting processes and ensures timely notification of the appropriate agency(s) in cases of non-compliance.
The Compliance Specialist must be able to recognize operational or environmental issues that require attention and address them appropriately. This position provides strategic leadership for environmental goals and initiatives and includes compliance activities related to power plant operations to ensure adherence to OSHA and EPA standards.
The successful candidate will model our Core Values (Safety First, Unquestionable Trust, Total Commitment, and Superior Performance) and lead by example in safety and compliance.
Job Responsibilities
- Maintain compliance with all environmental laws, regulations, and permits.
- Support plant operations and maintenance while ensuring environmental and safety standards are met.
- Monitor equipment and coordinate with plant personnel and contractors to maintain compliance.
- Investigate non-compliance incidents, manage notifications, and lead emergency response activities.
- Perform environmental sampling and inspections (Landfill, Ash Pond, SPCC, BMP, etc.).
- Collaborate with internal and external partners on compliance programs and permit renewals.
- Develop and update environmental compliance strategies, policies, and procedures.
- Manage compliance activities related to plant equipment, ensuring adherence to OSHA and EPA standards.
- Coordinate environmental stewardship activities.
- Conduct annual risk assessments and implement corrective action plans.
- Deliver compliance and safety training for employees and contractors.
- Participate in on-call rotation and occasional night/weekend work as required.
Job Requirements
Education:
- Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, environmental science or related field or equivalent experience - Required
Regulatory Knowledge:
- Working knowledge of current state and federal environmental laws and regulations (e.g., NPDES, DOT HazMat Shipping, Landfills, Hazardous/Solid/Universal Wastes, Oil Spills/SPCC, BMP) as they apply to a fossil generation plant or similar heavy industrial facility – Strongly desired
- Familiarity with OSHA/EPA standards- Strongly desired
Technical Expertise:
- Knowledge of fossil generation environmental and compliance programs.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; ability to deliver effective presentations.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and plant systems (MAXIMO, OIS, EDAS).
- Must be certified, or able to gain certification, to perform specific functions related to this job (CAOHC, VE, and DOT)
About Southern Company
Southern Company is one of the largest energy providers in the United States. Based in Atlanta, Southern Company owns electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications.
The men and women who work at Southern Company understand that we don’t simply provide a product or service. Clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy is essential to our way of life. More than 100 years ago, our company played a major role in the growth and prosperity of the South – and we continue to play a role today through our support of economic development and our philanthropic efforts. We believe the communities we serve should be better off because we’re there.
Our principal business is to make, move and sell energy. Those are the “whats” of our business. But it’s the “hows” that make us different. The actions of our employees are what truly define us and have earned us a high level of trust among our customers, shareholders and regulators.
