DOT Liaison

at Southern Company in Naperville, Illinois, United States

Job Description

Job Summary:

The DOT Liaison manages all correspondence related to public improvement projects affecting Nicor Gas infrastructure. The liaison interprets highway plans, identifies conflicts, engages engineering design resources, and keeps public agencies informed of infrastructure relocation progress. The liaison manages large reimbursable contract negotiations, contract administration, invoicing, and collections.

Functional Expertise:

+ Reviews construction plans and correspondence from governmental transportation agencies, developers, utilities, and other infrastructure owners. Identifies potential utility infrastructure impacts and engages engineering design resources.

+ Answer correspondence regarding locations of utility infrastructures.

+ Serve as a general point of contact for engineering consultants performing utility investigations and site planning. Communicate utility relocation processes to external customers.

Business Acumen:

+ Negotiate reimbursable utility relocation contracts with state and county agencies. Manage contract administration, invoicing, and collections.

+ Supervise two engineering technicians and one clerk. Ensure timeliness and accuracy of subordinate’s work product. Ensure completeness of approvals and before projects are allowed to proceed to proceed to construction.

Engagement:

+ Serves as primary liaison between the Company and transportation agencies.

+ Schedules onsite meetings for transportation agencies and engineering design to resolve complex issues.

+ Attends transportation agency meetings to understand future DOT projects and programs that may conflict with utility construction projects or infrastructures.

+ Engage with Real Estate to identify potential opportunities for recapture of utility relocation costs.

+ Identify and escalate issues affecting encroachments, crossing requests, or transmission infrastructures to Asset Protection, Real Estate, and System Integrity.

Driving Results:

+ Monitors and reports on utility relocation status for transportation agency compliance deadlines. Manage written correspondence relating to extensions, delays, and waivers.

+ Monitor outstanding reimbursable invoices, monitor payment schedules, issue past due notices, and manage reimbursable accruals.

Education, Certifications/Licenses:

Required:

+ Bachelor’s Degree

Preferred: Engineering Degree

E.I.T. certification

Related Work Experience:

Required:

+ 2-4 years experience in utility engineering or construction operations

Specific Skills & Knowledge:

Required:

+ MS Excel – intermediate proficiency

+ MS Word – intermediate proficiency

+ Attention to detail

+ Ability to read engineering plans

+ Intermediate Planning & organizing skills

+ Technical writing proficiency

Preferred:

+ MS Access – basic proficiency

+ MS PowerPoint – basic proficiency

+ GIS – basic proficiency

+ AutoCAD – basic proficiency

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

+ The incumbent works in an office environment.

+ The incumbent may/will be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions.

+ This position occasionally requires prolonged standing or walking.

+ This position occasionally requires the incumbent to reach above shoulder-level.

+ This position occasionally requires the incumbent to bend, kneel, crouch, or crawl.

+ This position requires the ability to lift up to 25 pounds.

+ Local travel.

+ Keyboarding required in approx 40% – 60% of daily tasksDisclaimer:This information describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this job. The description is not designed to be a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities and qualifications required in the job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified disabled individuals for performance of essential duties and responsibilities.

Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of millions of U.S. households and businesses. As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, with more than 150 years of history behind us, we’re working to ensure that Americans have access to an abundant, safely delivered supply of natural gas for decades to come. We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is America’s premier energy company, with 46,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million customers through its subsidiaries . The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric operating companies in four states, natural gas distribution companies in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications . Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America’s energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top energy companies in Fortune’s annual World’s Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant’s qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Southern Company Gas provides for the energy needs of over four million U.S. households and businesses. As the largest natural gas-only distribution company in the United States, we’re working to ensure that Americans have access to a supply of clean, safe, reliable and affordable natural gas for decades to come. We offer our customers a wide range of energy services under one umbrella: seven regulated utilities as well as non-regulated businesses that offer retail, wholesale and storage services.

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we