Gas Cathodic Protection Technician I

City of Las Cruces; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 55,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

The City of Las Cruces is seeking a Gas Cathodic Protection Technician to monitor, install, and maintain cathodic protection systems for the gas distribution network. The role ensures compliance with federal, state, and local regulations and supports corrosion control efforts across city utilities.

Responsibilities include field testing, inspections of pipelines, oversight of a corrosion crew, and preparing reports and drawings for excavation/site work.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required with 3 years of experience in installation/maintenance of natural gas systems.
• Valid driver's license required; clean driving record per City policy.
• NACE CP1 Cathodic Protection Certification must be obtained within 3 years of hire.

Responsibilities

• Conducts electro-chemical tests and surveys on gas systems to locate problems and corrosion; takes corrective actions and reads gas mains and services.
• Inspects construction procedures for corrosion compliance and determines corrective actions.
• Tests pipes for coating condition, external corrosion, and DOT safety conformance.
• Oversees corrosion crew and technicians, ensuring DOT/OSHA compliance and provides technical direction.
• Prepares reports, drawings, and diagrams for pipeline inspection cards and excavation plans.

Skills

Cathodic protection

Gas distribution

Safety practices

Record keeping

Communication skills

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Job description

Nature of Work

Monitors, installs, and maintains gas cathodic protection systems in order to ensure adequate cathodic protection of the City's gas distribution system in accordance with federal, state, and local regulations.

Environmental Factors

Works 10% indoors and 90% outdoors, exposed to gas fumes, fire, explosion, traffic hazards, and potential street cave-ins when entering street excavations up to 15 feet.

Physical Factors

Heavy physical work involving walking up to five miles daily; bending, stooping, climbing, balancing and grasping; lifting and carrying items weighing up to 50 pounds chest high several times a day; operating a motor vehicle and navigating across even and uneven surfaces; visual and auditory abilities sufficient to perform essential job functions.

Work Situation Factors

Position involves competing demands, performing multiple tasks, working to deadlines, occasional work beyond normal business hours, and responding to customer issues. 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 policies.

Meeting or exceeding the minimum qualifications does not guarantee an invitation to participate in the process.

FIRST CONSIDERATION WILL BE GIVEN TO CURRENT CITY OF LAS CRUCES EMPLOYEES WHO MEET ALL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS.

Position will be advertised as continuous until filled, with periodic review of applications.

Full-Time; Regular; Non-Exempt; Union-Represented

This position is a grade BC17.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Conducts electro-chemical tests and surveys on gas systems to locate problems and the extent of corrosion; takes corrective actions and performs consistent readings on gas mains and services.
• Inspects City and contractor construction procedures for corrosion compliance, identifies problems, and determines corrective actions.
• Tests existing pipes for condition of external coating, pipe condition and evidence of external corrosion; determines whether pipelines conform to DOT safety requirements.
• Inspects and investigates damaged Las Cruces Utilities (LCU) steel gas lines and determines if LCU steel gas lines are live or abandoned; tests existing pipes for condition of external coating, pipe condition, and evidence of external corrosion; determines whether pipelines conform to DOT safety requirements; reports dangerous of hazardous field conditions to the proper authorities for actions.
• Prepares reports and maintains records for corrosion control and leak control history; draws, drafts, and creates diagrams for each job as part of the pipe inspection cards; records information on pipeline inspection cards and reports.
• Troubleshoots low potentials on high pressure or low-pressure gas system; checks current to steel gas mains and service; uses line locating equipment for potential shorts with water lines and other utilities.
• Performs research of affected areas, including maps, cards, blueprints and as-builts; prepares work orders/drawings for locates/maps for excavation sites.
• Oversees and instructs corrosion crew members and corrosion technicians in corrosion-related requirements; oversees field activities to ensure compliance with DOT and OSHA requirements, provides technical direction and advice on the repair of the cathodic protection system.
• Performs readings on gas main and services; inspects rectifier system; performs casing check test.
• Reports dangerous or hazardous field conditions to the proper authorities for action.

Minimum Qualifications

High School Diploma or GED AND three (3) years of experience as a construction worker in the installation and maintenance of natural gas systems is required. 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 required. Position requires an acceptable driving record in accordance with City of Las Cruces policies. National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE) Certification as a Cathodic Protection Tester (CP1) must be obtained within three years of hire.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

Knowledge of

Natural gas distribution systems; practices, methods and procedures of cathodic protection on natural gas systems; basic chemistry, algebra and electricity; general layout of the City's utilities systems; gas system installation, maintenance, and repair procedures and practices; principles, practices, techniques, activities, rules, and regulations related to the operations and functions of the position and services provided; 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 field investigations; 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:

operating power and hand tools; 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; 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.