Permitting Specialist; In Ofc

Overview

The Utility Permitting Specialist plays a key role in securing timely and compliant permits for utility infrastructure projects and serves as the primary permitting point of contact within the Land Department. This position focuses on state and local permitting and acts as a liaison among railroad, environmental, and other jurisdictional permitting requirements. The Specialist ensures all permitting pathways are coordinated, aligned, and executed efficiently to support project schedules and regulatory compliance.

This role also oversees external vendors providing permitting services to Georgia Power. The position is based at Georgia Power Company’s corporate office in Atlanta, Georgia, or at a local Georgia Power Operating Headquarters (specific location to be determined by the hiring manager) and follows the company’s hybrid work policy, which is currently four (4) days per week. Some travel (up to 50%) is required for agency meetings, site visits, and project coordination.

Travel notes and additional role-specific information appear in the original description.

• State & Local Permitting:
  Lead the preparation, submission, tracking, and approval of state and local permits for utility work (DOT, municipal, county, zoning, rights-of-way, and encroachment).
• Interpret regulatory requirements and advise project teams on permitting constraints, timelines, and compliance needs.
• Maintain strong relationships with permitting authorities to streamline reviews and resolve issues efficiently.
• Cross-Functional Coordination:
  Serve as the bridge between railroad, environmental, and state/local permitting tracks to ensure alignment and prevent scope gaps.
• Participate in project planning meetings to integrate permitting dependencies into schedules and risk assessments.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, land acquisition, construction, environmental consultants, and legal teams.
• Railroad & Environmental Interface:
  Coordinate with railroad permitting teams to ensure consistency between submittals and avoid design or timing conflicts.
• Communicate environmental permit requirements (wetlands, cultural resources, threatened species, NEPA/SEPA elements, etc.) to ensure compatibility with state/local submissions.
• Track parallel permitting processes and identify opportunities for combined reviews or sequencing efficiencies.
• Documentation & Quality Control:
  Develop and maintain permitting logs, jurisdictional matrices, and dashboards to keep stakeholders informed.
• Review engineering drawings, route maps, traffic control plans, and environmental documents for accuracy prior to submittal.
• Ensure all permits are properly tracked, stored, and closed out for audit and compliance purposes.
• Relationship Management:
  Build strong rapport with state DOTs, counties, municipalities, inspectors, and other regulatory bodies.
• Represent the company professionally during meetings, site visits, and negotiations with permitting officials.
• Process Improvement:
  Identify recurring permitting challenges and recommend process enhancements, templates, or standard approaches to reduce cycle times.
• Keep the organization informed of regulatory updates, permitting trends, and best practices.

• Education:
  
  High school diploma required;
  Bachelor’s degree in a related field (Science, Engineering, Environmental Studies, or similar) highly preferred.
• Licenses &
  
  Certifications:
  
  Valid Georgia driver’s license.
• Experience:
  
  3–5 years of experience in permitting utility coordination, land acquisition support, power delivery, or regulatory affairs.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
• Strong understanding of state and local permitting processes (DOT, municipal ROW, zoning, land disturbance).
• Experience permitting linear utility projects (electric, gas, broadband, water/wastewater).
• Experience working with public agencies, contractors, or engineering firms.
• Ability to read engineering plans and interpret regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of transmission, distribution, substation, and/or generation facilities.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders.
• Proven ability to organize…