Natural Gas Project Lead – Field Operations

The Staff Pad; Mabank (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Overtime pay

Insurance options

Job summary

The Staff Pad is seeking an experienced Project Lead to oversee field operations for natural gas construction in Mabank, TX. You will manage a crew of 8–10, supervise gas work in the field, and serve as the primary liaison with the utility, contractor and inspectors.

Responsibilities include planning from prints, performing taps and fusion, supervising trenching and backfilling, and ensuring documentation and safety procedures are followed. OQ current and strong communication skills are required.

Qualifications

• 2–3 years leadership in natural gas distribution construction.
• Ability to lead a crew of 8–10 and meet daily production targets.
• Knowledge of gas main/service installation, tapping, fusing, pressure testing and purging.
• Current Operator Qualification (OQ) on tasks for this scope.
• Ability to read construction prints and utility standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead a gas crew of 8–10 operators, fusers, laborers and operators daily.
• Plan daily work from prints and work packets, stage materials and set targets.
• Perform taps, line stops, squeeze-offs, and live tie-ins per procedures.
• Oversee fusion and verification of joint quality and records.
• Supervise steel installation activities and trenching around live utilities.
• Direct trenching, potholing, wire installation, backfilling and compaction.
• Monitor tests, purging, and placing facilities into service with documentation.
• Verify utility locates and enforce safety requirements.
• Lead daily safety briefings and coordinate with inspectors and contractors.
• Maintain daily reports, production quantities, as-built redlines, material usage and timecards in Raken and T-Sheets.
• Coach and train crew; identify Operator Qualification gaps.

Skills

Natural gas distribution

Crew leadership

Reading construction prints

Safety awareness

Communication

Tools

Raken

T-Sheets

Fusion equipment (McElroy)

Pipe installation tools

Job description

Natural Gas Project Lead – Field Operations

Mabank, United States | Posted on 10/06/2026

• Work Experience Natural gas distribution + 2–3 years crew leadership experience
• State/Province Texas
• Country United States

Job Description

The Staff Pad has partnered with a full-serviceexcavation and pipeline construction company providing comprehensive solutionsfor pipeline and infrastructure projects in Mabank, TX, and we are looking tohire an experienced and qualified Project Lead to oversee field operations andlead a team supporting natural gas construction projects.

The Project Lead runs the gas side of the businessin the field and is accountable for the daily production, quality, and safetyof a crew of 8-10 team members installing and tying in natural gas main andservice lines.

In this role, you will bring comprehensive hands-onknowledge of gas construction operations, including tapping, fusing, tie-ins,pressure testing, and purging, with the ability to perform and support any crewtask as needed. You will also serve as the primary day-to-day point of contactfor the utility, general contractor, and on-site inspector.

What You’ll Do

Key Responsibilities

• Leadand direct a gas crew of 8 to 10operators, fusers, laborers, and equipmentoperators each day
  
• Plandaily work from prints and work packets, stage materials and equipment,and establish crew production targets
  
• Performand oversee hot and cold taps, line stops, squeeze-offs, and live gastie-ins in accordance with written operating procedures
  
• Performand oversee butt fusion, socket fusion, and electrofusion of polyethylenepipe using (McElroy or equivalent) equipment and verify joint quality andfusion records
  
• Supervisesteel installation activities, including welding coordination, coating,and cathodic protection details where applicable
  
• Directtrenching, potholing, tracer wire installation, backfilling, andcompaction around live utilities
  
• Overseepressure testing, purging, and placing new facilities into service whilecompleting all required documentation
  
• Verifyutility locates are current and accurate before excavation and enforcetolerance zone and hand-digging requirements
  
• Enforcethe site-specific safety plan, including trenching and shoring, confinedspace, gas detection, traffic control, and PPE requirements
  
• Conductand document daily huddles, job safety briefings, and toolbox talks
  
• Serveas the daily point of contact for the utility inspector, generalcontractor, city and county inspectors, and property owners
  
• Completedaily reports, production quantities, as-built redlines, material usage,and timecards using Raken and T-Sheets
  
• Monitorcrew performance, coach and train less experienced team members, andidentify Operator Qualification gaps
  
• Supportrestoration, punch list closeout, and final customer walkthroughs
  

What We Are Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Previousexperience in natural gas distribution construction, including 2 to 3years leading a crew
  
• Provenability to lead a crew of 8 to 10 and meet daily production targets
  
• Workingknowledge of gas main and service installation, tapping, fusing, tie-ins,pressure testing, and purging
  
• CurrentOperator Qualification (OQ) on covered tasks required for this scope, withtasks varying by gas company
  
• Abilityto read and work from construction prints, plan and profile drawings, andutility standards
  
• Validdriver’s license with no more than 2 violations on the motor vehiclerecord; certain violations are automatic disqualifiers
  
• Abilityto pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check, including a10-panel non-DOT or 5-panel DOT drug screen and 10-year background check
  
• Abilityto communicate clearly with crew members, inspectors, and the generalcontractor
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experiencewith specific utility or operator standards and procedures
  
• Specificfusion equipment certification and current fusion qualification cards
  
• ClassA or Class B CDL preferred, not required
  
• Experiencewith vacuum excavation and pipe bursting
  
• BilingualEnglish and Spanish
  
• Experiencemanaging subcontractors and rental equipment on a jobsite
  

Certifications & Training

• PlasticPipe Fusion Qualification — Prior fusion experience required;qualifications do not transfer, and candidates must complete testing again
  
• SafetyTraining — Competent Person, Confined Space, First Aid, and CPR;additional safety training provided
  
• AdditionalOperator or Client-Specific Training — To be determined based on projectrequirements
  

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Workoutdoors year-round in all weather conditions
  
• Lift,carry, push, or pull up to 50–75 pounds
  
• Stand,walk, bend, kneel, and climb in and out of excavations throughout theshift
  
• Workin and around live natural gas facilities, heavy equipment, and activeroadways
  
• Wearrequired personal protective equipment, including flame-resistant clothingwhere required
  

What You Can Expect

• CompetitiveCompensation
• Overtimepaid at Time and a half
• Life,dental, and vision insurance available the first of the month following 60days of employment
• After1 year: 3 paid holidays, 1 week of vacation, and bereavement pay
• After 4 years: 2 weeks ofvacation