Specialist III, Environmental

About the role

Virginia Natural Gas (VNG), a Southern Company Gas subsidiary, is seeking an environmental professional with three or more years of relevant experience to support environmental compliance, permitting, inspections, and field activities for natural gas infrastructure projects in Virginia. This role is well suited for a developing environmental professional who can work collaboratively with internal teams, contractors, consultants, and regulatory agencies while continuing to build technical expertise.

Responsibilities

• Support environmental compliance for natural gas operations and construction projects.
• Assist with environmental permitting, agency coordination, and permit condition tracking.
• Conduct or support field inspections, site visits, stormwater reviews, erosion and sediment control inspections, and environmental compliance monitoring.
• Review construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit requirements, and environmental documents to identify compliance obligations and potential risks.
• Assist with environmental due diligence, desktop reviews, field surveys, and documentation for proposed projects.
• Help prepare, update, and maintain environmental plans and records, including SWPPP, SPCC, inspection reports, and compliance documentation.
• Coordinate with internal project teams, construction personnel, contractors, consultants, and environmental peers to support timely project execution.
• Track regulatory requirements, emerging environmental issues, and company procedures that may affect assigned projects or operations.
• Support environmental compliance audits, waste management activities, training, reporting, and corrective action follow-up as needed.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Education: BA/BS in physical or natural science, including Biology, Environmental Science, Chemistry, Geology, Engineering (Environmental, Civil, or similar) or other related discipline. MS in physical or natural science is preferred. Applicable professional experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelor's degree for candidates with significant environmental compliance, permitting, utility, construction, or regulatory experience.

Required Experience & Skills:

• 3+ years of directly relevant environmental experience.
• Working knowledge of environmental permitting, construction stormwater requirements, erosion and sediment control practices, and field inspections.
• Ability to read and understand construction drawings, stormwater plans, permit conditions, and environmental procedures.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage assigned tasks, meet deadlines, and adapt to changing project priorities.
• Effective oral and written communication skills, including the ability to document field findings and explain compliance requirements clearly.
• Analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and a willingness to consult appropriate resources.
• Basic understanding of wetland, stream, and natural resource survey concepts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and ability to use GIS, SharePoint, databases, or other compliance tools.

Preferred Experience:

• Supporting permitting or environmental compliance for utility, pipeline, construction, or linear infrastructure projects, including Virginia DEQ Annual Standards and Specifications.
• Virginia DEQ erosion and sediment control, stormwater management, inspection, plan reviewer, or related certification.
• Experience or training in construction stormwater inspections, SWPPP implementation, or erosion and sediment control best practices.
• Familiarity with wetland and waterbody delineation principles, biological field surveys, or natural resource permitting.
• Experience assisting with SPCC plans, waste management activities, NEPA documentation, or environmental compliance audits.
• Experience using Environmental Management Information Systems, GIS, or other compliance tracking tools.
• Experience with Virginia Environmental Justice Act.
• Interest in environmental best practices, sustainability, or professional development through industry associations.

Working Conditions

• Travel: This position may require travel within the VNG service area on occasional (5-10%) 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 minimum 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, facilitating assessments, etc.

Location & Schedule

The job will be based at VNG's corporate headquarters in Virginia Beach, Virginia (544 South Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA 23452). Due to the nature of this position, a hybrid work model (office and remote work) should be expected. VNG's policy is 4-days in office, in the field, or at a customer location with 1-day work-from-home. This position supports all VNG's business units; thus, office and work from home days may vary to meet business needs.