Process Safety, Engineer/Specialist

Job Description
The purpose of this position is to ensure effective administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA) Process Safety Management (PSM) program as "Best Practice" guidelines for Southern Company Gas facilities and operations. Responsible for development, management, and administration of PSM corporate policies and procedures for applicable business units such as Peaking Operations, Midstream Operations, Gas Supply Operations, etc. Functions as a program/project manager for PSM activities such as hazard assessments, change management, and start-up reviews to ensure the safety and reliability of Southern Company Gas facilities, equipment, and processes.

Works independently on complex assignments that require specialized knowledge in an engineering or process safety discipline. Assigned tasks often involve the development of new or improved products/processes or techniques. Generally, functions as project or program manager.

Functional Expertise:

• Reviews OSHA's Process Safety Management (PSM) legislation and regulations and compares/contracts the standards with those Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations and corporate programs such as Operations Risk Management (ORM) to determine the efficiencies and overlaps between the different regulations and standards.
• Identifies, develops, and documents corporate PSM policies and procedures relating to applicable Company operations and Business Units.
• Serves as subject matter expert (SME) to internal Southern Company Gas business units and departments on matters of PSM, ORM, Control Room Management guidelines, and other EHS related programs and policies.
• Conducts safety investigations and facilitates corrective and preventive actions for process and occupational safety incidents.
• Facilitates Process Hazard Analyses for both existing and new construction facilities and equipment. Facilitates the development of design options/recommendations to improve system optimization. Assesses feasibility of engineering solutions.
• Facilitates Pre-Startup Safety Reviews for new construction projects, equipment replacement projects, and significant changes to existing facilities.
• Provides content for training of employees pertaining to process safety programs and standards and conducts training in some cases when a subject matter expert is needed.

Business Acumen:

• Audits operations groups against the corporate occupational and process safety policies and guidelines.
• Assists Operations with maintaining compliance documentation such as process hazard analyses reports, pre-startup safety review checklists, management of change documentation, and other process safety related records.
• Counsels and informs business leaders on new or modified process safety and other EHS regulations and the effects of the regulations on company policies and work practices. Anticipates and identifies obstacles/issues that put projects at risk; develops and obtains buy-in for corrective actions.
• Provides safety-related statistics and best practices data to internal and external groups (e.g., American Gas Association (AGA).
• Documents, analyzes, and evaluates occupational safety, process safety, and motor vehicle safety metrics. Interprets the data to determine trends and informs business units of those trends.
• Evaluates process safety and other EHS incidents and recommends corrective and preventive actions for EHS incidents (injuries, motor vehicle collisions, process safety incidents).
• Determine EHS 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.

Engagement:

• Serves as a project manager; assists in determining project objectives on the development of a comprehensive project design, outlines project requirements, assigns tasks, coordinates project activities with other operating units to facilitate participation of appropriate staff on project, supervises progress to ensure objectives are met. Works with other departments to meet the guidelines of the Asset Development Process.
• Collaborates with Operations business units and other support departments such as Engineering to effectively apply process safety guidelines and ensure the safety and reliability of company assets and processes.
• Collaborates with Peaking Operations, Midstream Services, Gas Supply, Damage Prevention and Corrosion teams and other departments to meet the requirements of the DOT Control Room Management guidelines.
• Demonstrates good communication and interpersonal skills at all levels within the Company necessary to guide business units and individuals with respect to process safety and other EHS issues.
• Develops and conducts presentations for business and safety meetings, safety committee meetings, safety summits, and other presentations on process safety related standards and policies.
• Partners with other key business units (e.g. Engineering, Regulatory, Technical Services) to ensure all incidents / accidents are logged and recorded appropriately and relevant data is recorded and documented.
• Motivates and encourages development of a safety culture by facilitating focus group exercises (e.g. Hazard Analyses, Safety Culture Assessments, Safety Committee Exercises, Job Hazard Assessments)
• Conducts safety inspections of Company facilities to measure adherence to Company policies. Assist with development of corrective and preventive actions to improve safety performance.

Driving Results:

• Develops, implements, and administers the process safety management programs (e.g. Management of Change, Process Hazard Analyses, Incident Investigations, Mechanical Integrity); Directs process safety programs and projects by developing measurements and qualification processes and maintaining databases that support the programs.
• Conducts safety compliance assessments. Create assessment reports with summaries of observations and corrective actions. Drive the business units to correct deficiencies by conducting follow-up meetings with the business leaders.
• Directs and oversees investigations of EHS incidents such as higher severity injuries and process safety incidents. Monitor implementation of corrective and preventive actions to prevent further incidents.
• Ensures Company operations achieve and maintain compliance with applicable safety laws and regulations and existing safety policies and procedures.
• Takes personal responsibility to ensure that compliance is achieved with high quality and efficiency.
• Monitors EHS and process safety compliance, evaluate trends and provide reports to business units and company leaders.
• Provides sound business decisions and recommendations in a timely manner with appropriate sense of urgency. Directs process safety support in a way that adds value; provides customers with options and helps customers understand the benefits of applying PSM guidelines to projects and processes.
• Develops and maintains process safety and other EHS related policies and manuals to ensure compliance with regulations and company standards.

Requirements

Education, Certifications/Licenses:

Required:

• BA/BS degree in Engineering, Process Safety, Industrial Hygiene or other related technical or science degree

Preferred: Certification such as CSP (Certified Safety Professional), PE (Professional Engineer), PMP (Project Management Professional) or equivalent

Or

Equivalent academic education and experience

Related Work Experience:

Required:

• 5-7 years of progressive Engineering and Process Safety experience

Preferred:

• Practical experience for field application of safety programs
• Working knowledge of OSHA regulations and programs
• Conducting safety related assessments and inspections
• Safety related regulation interpretation and developing appropriate corporate safety policies
• Use and configuration of compliance software systems and databases
• Safety related training and presentations

OR:

• Equivalent academic education and experience

Specific Skills& Knowledge:

Required:

• Working knowledge of applicable Federal and State regulations (e.g. OSHA)
• Ability to manage multiple projects with limited supervision
• Ability to understand and analyze legislation and regulation and translate into corporate policy
• Strong leadership skills
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Knowledge of safe work practices and procedures
• Strong presentation and team facilitation skills
• MS Office Suite - intermediate proficiency, ability to learn other databases and technology tools quickly
• Project management skills
• Strong organizational and time management skills
• Competency to work independently, to be a self-starter, and take initiative
• Ability to influence and persuade in decision making

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements:

• Travel requirements: Regular (20-50% travel) Traveler: The incumbent may be required to travel on a regular basis. Trips will likely require air travel and/or overnight stay away from home for one or more nights.
• On-call duties: Must be able to respond to urgent EHS issues when contacted on mobile communication device as issues arise including after hours.
• Physical demands: Prolonged Standing or Walking: This position frequently requires prolonged standing or walking.
• Work environment: The incumbent works in an office environment and may be exposed to varying outdoor weather conditions when working with field operations, conducting facility inspections, facilitating assessments, etc.