Senior Gas System Inspector

Posting number: J093 07-26 MD

Department: Utilities

Job classification: Senior Gas System Inspector

Posting type: Open

Categories: Public Works, Trades, Utilities, Construction Trades

Conducts inspections of natural gas projects and lines to ensure safety and quality assurance in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations. Serves as the lead technical resource for gas system inspection activities.

Position functions sixty (60) percent indoors with no notable hazards or adverse environment factors and forty (40) percent outdoors subject to all traffic and weather conditions, mechanical and electrical hazards, explosives, burns, fumes, odors and gases.  Safety clothing and devices include safety helmet with face mask, fire retardant coveralls, protective eyewear, steel toe boots, and vest.

Position involves the ability to lift and carry items weighing up to one-hundred (100) pounds; verbal, visual and auditory abilities to perform essential job functions; balancing, bending, stooping, climbing, crouching, kneeling and reaching above shoulder height; ability to ambulate on uneven surfaces and work in confined spaces; frequent computer use.

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, and responding to customer issues.  It may also involve responding to emergency situations, work on holidays, weekends, nights, overtime, call-back and standby status.  Regular attendance is an essential function of this job to ensure continuity of services.  Position is subject to drug testing in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and City of Las Cruces policy. 

• Performs and coordinates advanced inspections of natural gas construction, maintenance, repair, pressure testing, tie-ins, and purging activities to ensure compliance with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and industry standards; serves as the lead inspector on complex or high-risk projects.
• Coordinates various complex gas system projects and prepares and reviews system procedures for installation and repair to ensure standard processes are in place; ensures appropriate GPS data is developed and updated.
• Leads investigations involving gas line hits, damage claims, service interruptions, compliance concerns, and other operational incidents; prepares findings, recommendations, reports, and supporting documentation to ensure accurate and timely resolution; monitors, manages, and maintains as-built drawings, test records, inspection reports, and hit reports to provide accurate and timely information.
• Provides lead technical assistance to City staff regarding natural gas issues; reviews and updates material specifications to ensure records are current; researches and evaluates equipment and materials to recommend purchases; conducts the procurement of materials, equipment, and tools.
• Assists with administration of the Operator Qualification Program, including compliance monitoring, evaluations, recordkeeping, audits, training support, and implementation of regulatory requirements; conducts steel, arc, oxyacetylene, and poly-fusion welding; tests vendor gas products and equipment for compliance with federal standards.
• Reviews construction plans, engineering drawings, specifications, and design documents for compliance with applicable codes, standards, regulations, and gas utility requirements.
• Conducts compliance audits and reviews of gas system operations, inspection records, pressure testing documentation, operator qualification records, and regulatory filings to ensure compliance with federal pipeline safety requirements.
• Researches and interprets changes to federal pipeline safety regulations and industry standards and recommends procedural updates to maintain compliance.
• Provides technical mentoring, field instruction, and knowledge transfer to Gas System Inspectors and gas operations personnel regarding inspection practices, regulatory requirements, and industry standards.
• Serves as the acting Training and Safety Coordinator as needed.      
• Provides performance feedback, trains, and instructs employees to meet established goals and objectives; participates in staff evaluations with designated supervisor to provide impartial feedback regarding performance; assures that staff maintain safety standards and adhere to policies and procedures for efficient and safe operations.
• Reviews, maintains, and updates records in various formats, mediums, and automated systems to ensure data integrity and adherence to internal controls, practices, and policies; demonstrates continuous effort to improve operations, decrease turnaround times, streamline work processes, and work cooperatively and jointly to provide quality seamless services.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

This is the senior level in the Gas System Inspector series. Employees are expected to apply advanced technical knowledge and independent judgment in the inspection, evaluation, and regulatory compliance of natural gas transmission and distribution systems. Incumbents perform complex inspections, investigations, and operator qualification evaluations; interpret and apply federal pipeline safety regulations; and serve as the department’s primary technical resource for gas system inspection activities. The position provides technical guidance, mentoring, and training to Gas System Inspectors and gas operations personnel but does not exercise formal supervisory authority.

High School Diploma or GED AND seven (7) years of experience in the maintenance and repair of underground natural gas delivery systems.  A combination of education, experience, and training may be applied in accordance with City of Las Cruces policy.

Licenses/Certification(s)

Valid driver’s license is required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies. Operator Qualified (OQ) within sixty (60) days of employment. Complete Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) training within six (6) months of employment. 

Knowledge of:  applicable rules, regulations, codes, ordinances, specifications, and standards to perform effectively; natural gas systems and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations; practices, techniques, and methods of poly and steel welding; applicable occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; procedures and standards for installing, maintaining, and repairing natural gas mains and services; equipment and procedures used when working on and around natural gas and other utility lines; techniques and procedures approved for gas pipeline welding and gas pipeline connection; polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fusion techniques and procedures approved for gas pipeline connection; principles, procedures, and standards of gas pipeline inspection to include pressure testing, purging, and tie-ins; general layout of the City's natural gas system; principles of cathodic protection; emergency response procedures and gas leak detection procedures; current principles of record keeping and records management; principles and practices of effective research methods and data analysis, customer service, and problem resolution techniques; occupational and environmental safety and health hazards, and safety practices; safe and effective use and maintenance of related tools, materials, and equipment; current methods and standards for preparing effective business correspondence; correct English usage, grammar, composition, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary; business and personal computers and related software applications; City organization, operations, policies, and procedures to effectively perform the required functions and duties of the position.

Ability to: perform a variety of duties and responsibilities and assess and prioritize multiple tasks, projects, and demands to meet deadlines; ensure appropriate levels of customer service to achieve expectations and meet objectives; read, understand, and assure compliance with a variety of policies, procedures, rules, standards, and regulations governing related activities and functions; collect applicable information and maintain accurate and timely records; maintain confidentiality of information and data; communicate effectively orally and in writing and use interpersonal skills to sufficiently exchange or convey information and receive work direction; prepare and present accurate and reliable information and reports; establish and maintain effective and appropriate working relationships with employees, other agencies, and the public; safely and effectively operate relevant tools, equipment, and motorized vehicles; navigate across even and uneven surfaces; timely and accurately enter data and update records using various mediums and formats; take initiative and exercise sound independent judgment within established procedural guidelines and carry out primary responsibilities in accordance with all governing regulations, statutes, and procedures to ensure achievement of goals and objectives. 

Skills in:  reading, understanding, and applying relevant rules, ordinances, codes, regulations, policies, and procedures; effectively managing assignments; responding to inquiries timely and within the scope of delegated authority; responding appropriately, maintaining objectivity and freedom from prejudice, and exercising sound judgment and understanding in all interactions; effectively working  independently, or as a team member, in various environments with changing priorities; using applicable tools, equipment, materials, and supplies for the installation, maintenance, and repair of natural gas mains and services; preparing and presenting various reports, documents, forms, and correspondence; researching information, analyzing data, maintaining accurate records, and updating information in various mediums and formats; operating a personal computer with installed generic and specialized software; preparing and presenting information in a clear and concise manner; demonstrating appropriate and effective interpersonal communication and conflict resolution skills; performing highly effective support in assigned areas.