Principal, Environmental Affairs

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), a subsidiary of Southern Company Gas, is seeking an experienced environmental professional to provide environmental permitting, compliance, and project support for natural gas infrastructure projects in Virginia.

About the role

This senior-level individual contributor role will serve as an environmental project and program manager, supporting project development, permitting, construction, operations, and environmental stewardship activities. The successful candidate will provide expert environmental support for new and existing natural gas infrastructure, including conducting due diligence evaluations, managing operations and construction environmental permitting, providing training, evaluating or interpreting regulations, plans, and procedures to ensure compliance, and interfacing with contractors, internal customers, and environmental agencies.

This position will serve as a more senior environmental role requiring competency to act as a subject matter expert in multiple disciplines, consult necessary resources, work independently, and take initiative within a dynamic work environment. The job will be based at VNG’s corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A hybrid work model (office and remote work) should be expected: 4 days in the office, in the field, or at a customer location with 1 day work-from-home. Office and work-from-home days may vary to meet business needs.

Job Location: 544 South Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452

Responsibilities

• Manage environmental permitting and compliance activities for natural gas infrastructure projects from planning through construction and restoration.
• Lead environmental due diligence reviews, risk assessments, and regulatory evaluations for proposed projects.
• Obtain and maintain federal, state, and local environmental permits, authorizations, and approvals.
• Support compliance programs related to stormwater, erosion and sediment control, waste management, spill prevention, and environmental reporting.
• Review and interpret environmental regulations and provide guidance to project teams and company leadership.
• Coordinate with regulatory agencies, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders to support project execution and compliance.
• Conduct field inspections, site assessments, environmental audits, and compliance reviews.
• Develop, review, and maintain environmental plans and documentation, including SWPPPs, SPCC Plans, permit applications, and environmental reports.
• Monitor environmental regulatory developments and evaluate potential impacts to company operations.
• Provide environmental training and technical support to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support environmental sustainability initiatives and continuous improvement efforts.

Preferred Experience

• Natural gas, utility, or linear infrastructure projects.
• Environmental permitting and compliance under the Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act, Rivers and Harbors Act, and related regulations.
• Section 404 permitting and agency coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Virginia DEQ, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and similar agencies.
• Experience managing large or complex projects with significant environmental implications, such as impacts or risks associated with different construction methods or techniques.
• Managing construction waste management activities for a utility, including compliance with the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act regulations.
• Stormwater management, erosion and sediment control, and construction environmental compliance.
• Environmental due diligence and project risk assessment.
• Wetland and stream evaluations.
• Waste management and remediation programs.
• Managing and preparing National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) submittals or documentation.
• Preparing SWPPP or SPCC plans.
• Environmental Information Management Systems (EMIS) and GIS applications.
• Environmental justice principles.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Biology, Chemistry, Geology, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Fifteen or more (15+) years of environmental permitting, compliance, project management, or natural resources experience.
• Strong knowledge of environmental regulations affecting utility or infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to interpret engineering, construction, and stormwater plans.
• Experience or understanding of wetland and waterbody delineation principles.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred:

• Master's degree in a related field.
• Virginia environmental permitting experience.
• Stormwater management and erosion/sediment control certifications.
• Experience supervising environmental inspectors and/or environmental consultants.
• Participation in relevant professional or industry organizations.
• Working knowledge of environmental best practices across the energy or environmental industry.

Working Conditions / Physical Requirements

• Travel requirements: This position may require travel within the VNG service area on an occasional (15 - 30%) basis. Trips may require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights an estimated two to three times per year.
• On-call Duties: This position will require the ability to respond to urgent environmental issues when contacted during traditional and non-traditional work hours, as issues arise. On-call duties are estimated as 10% per year.
• Physical Demands: This position frequently requires prolonged standing or walking, ability to lift a minimum of 20 pounds.
• Work Environment: This position will be in an office environment and may be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions when working with field operations, conducting facility inspections, or facilitating assessments.

Benefits

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. A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here.