Sr. Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance

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.

To achieve success in this position, you are likely to have the ability to influence others on the importance of quality through your passion, skills, and knowledge. Our environment is governed by 49 CFR 192, so similar experience will be beneficial.

This position will check 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.

The Engineer/Specialist, Operations Quality Assurance is a focused discipline within a job family. The duties listed are activities associated with the various levels of the Engineer/Specialist progression. This progression covers the following general titles:

• Engineer/Spec I, Ops Quality Assurance
• Engineer/Spec II, Ops Quality Assurance
• Engineer/Spec Sr, Ops Quality Assurance

Specific position level will be based on years of experience and/or education; demonstrated knowledge, skills and ability; complexity of programs administered, risk and responsibility, and budgetary value managed.

This position provides support and conducts operational assessments of records and field activities conducted by both company and contractor crews to ensure safety and compliance with Federal and State regulations as well as with company operating and maintenance procedures. Findings from operational assessments are used to drive change in training, policies, and procedures.

• Performs operational assessments, both “live” and “post,” to evaluate field personnel compliance with company policies and procedures which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and company-mandated requirements in five or more of the following areas:
• Asset Protection [This position will primarily focus on assessing work performed by Asset Protection locators - Company and/or Contractor]
• Construction Operations – Company
• Construction Operations – Contractor
• Corrosion
• Field Operations – Distribution
• Field Operations – Service
• Leak Survey
• Storage & Peaking
• System Operations
• Technical Training
• Transmission
• Welding
• Oversees/supervises QA staff that conduct the QA assessments
• Assists in on-boarding plans and technical knowledge plans for newly hired QAs at LDC
• Leads in the annual audit of compliance records in advance of public service commission compliance records audits
• Leads special audits of new/revised procedures recently implemented or of newly certified employees
• Serves as subject matter expert in interpreting company policies, procedures and O&M manual
• Serves as company liaison during State field inspections
• Performs 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 which are driven by Federal and State regulations as well as industry best practices and company-mandated requirements
• Performs main hit reviews for Field Operations – Delivery to determining OQ disqualification
• Engaged in efforts to interpret and develop responses to proposed regulatory rules changes that could affect Gas Distribution and Southern Company
• Actively represents 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
• Proactively identifies latent conditions and organizational…