Sr. Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance

About the role

This position requires a strong field presence striving to minimize work-related incidents by working with all employees in implementing Quality Assurance and Quality Management Systems. This position will assess internal and external regulatory compliance, policies, regulations, and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Achieve success through influencing others on the importance of quality through passion, skills, and knowledge.
• Ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations as well as with company operating and maintenance procedures.
• Conduct operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate field personnel compliance with company policies and procedures.
• Support the effective and consistent implementation of field operations policy and procedure, conduct incident investigation and cause analysis, and support field operations continuous improvement and change management.
• Perform 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.
• Interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company.
• Represent 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.
• Identify latent conditions and organizational weaknesses and work with management to correct them.
• Teach principles to others.
• Document event learning analysis with no oversight (i.e. self-inflicted hit reviews).
• Lead internal gas distribution audits, documenting findings, preparing reports, and communicating findings to management.
• Participate in Southern Company system audits acting as a subject matter expert and liaison to Shared Service business units.
• Initiate internal process audits and develop necessary action plans for corrective measures.
• Assist in departmental budget management.
• Lead complex and critical projects across multi-disciplinary and cross-functional departments.
• Evaluate timeliness and implementation schedules (i.e. NOE action plans).
• Communicate project (i.e. targeted or focused audits) progress and details to affected parties.
• Deliver frequent feedback and expectations to team members.
• Champion, coach, and promote Nicor Gas Safety- and Quality Management Systems.
• Serve as Subject Matter Expert (SME) to departments on matters of occupational safety, Quality Management Systems, and compliance.
• Understand and recognize hazards.
• Lead and direct Quality expectations with employees.
• Support implementation of Nicor Gas Quality Management Systems.
• 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) and external sources such as AGA and peer companies.
• Engage in onboarding of new QA staff.
• Represent QA department at supervisor roundtables and present assessment findings for area of assessment responsibility.
• Coach supervisors on the content of the assessment form and on how to conduct effective assessments.
• Work independently, take initiative, and manage projects with minimum oversight.
• Respond to urgent Quality issues when contacted.
• Be available to assist in emergency situations when needed.
• Participate in departmental on-call rotation for pipeline incident emergency response and liaison with regulatory authorities.

Requirements

• Education: BS in any engineering discipline or other analytical/technical discipline; or Equivalent academic education and experience in any/all of the following: Asset Protection, Construction Operations – Company, Construction Operations – Contractor, Corrosion, Field Operations – Distribution, Field Operations – Service, Leak Survey, Storage & Peaking, System Operations, Technical Training, Transmission, Welding.
• Experience: 7+ years operations experience in a gas utility in five or more field operating departments, or 7+ years within QA.
• Knowledge: Thorough understanding of company policies, procedures, and O&M manual.
• Skills: 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; Effective oral and written communications; 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.

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.