OMI Pipeline Safety Inspector (Environmental Prot. Spec. II): DORA/Public Utilities Commission

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

RTD EcoPass

Flexible schedules

Wellness programs

Bike-to-work program

Retirement benefits (PERA)

Health & dental insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Disability insurance

Tuition assistance

Job summary

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) seeks a Pipeline Safety Inspector to perform inspections of pipeline compliance, participate in regional councils, and support safety programs. The role involves auditable documentation, reporting, and collaboration with operator staff to ensure adherence to state and federal regulations.

Two qualification paths exist: six years of relevant experience or a combination of education and experience, including an associate degree in a related field.

Qualifications

• Six years of full-time professional experience in inspection/safety compliance (oil and gas, public sector, or government).
• Experience auditing, quality control, and/or investigating transit-related hazards.

Responsibilities

• Inspect pipeline operator facilities and observe field operations to verify compliance with safety regulations.
• Review operator manuals and performance records.
• Audit procedures and records to verify compliance with pipeline safety regulations.
• Train operators on safety regulations, standards, and best practices.
• Identify non-compliance and initiate corrective actions or follow-up inspections.
• Review operator procedures to ensure safe, compliant operations.

Skills

Oil & gas inspection

Safety compliance

Auditing

Quality control

Transit incidents

Education

Associate’s Degree in related field

Job description

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement:

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business need.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.
• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!
• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.
• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.
• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.
• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.
• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Tuition assistance program.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state.

The purpose of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC) Pipeline Safety Program (PSP) is to administer a statewide hazardous gas pipeline safety program certified by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (U.S. DOT; PHMSA) through the enforcement of federal and state rules and regulations. The program exists to protect the health and safety of Colorado citizens’ life, property, and the environment from the risks of hazardous materials transportation via pipeline. The PSP program supports the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies’ mission of consumer protection and endeavours to ensure the safe operation of all jurisdictional pipelines by verifying that operators are complying with state and federal pipeline safety regulations. The PSP acts as the PUC’s expert in developing, recommending, and maintaining appropriate pipeline safety regulations focused on the goal of minimizing the risks to public health, safety, and the environment that may be posed by hazardous materials pipeline operations.

The PSP performs comprehensive and detailed safety audits and investigations of jurisdictional hazardous gas pipeline operators to identify violations of pipeline safety regulations. The primary process for these audits is the risk-based inspection of the programs, procedures, processes, records, and facilities of jurisdictional intrastate hazardous gas pipelines. These include natural gas transmission, distribution, gathering, petroleum gas (LPG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and master metered pipeline systems. The PSP ensures minimum compliance with state and federal pipeline safety regulations, minimizes the public safety impact of any violation of these regulations, and prevents recurrence of any violation of these regulations through: 1) educating jurisdictional pipeline operators on pipeline safety regulations, standards, and best practices. 2) Interacting with and exchanging information with other safety and environmental agencies in Colorado, e.g., PHMSA Western Region, COGCC, and CDPHE. 3) Issuing appropriate compliance actions against violators, including developing action plans and metrics to remedy the violation and/or recommending that the Commission issue a Civil Penalty against the operator.

Position: SGA 5148

The OMI (Operations, Maintenance, and Inspection) Pipeline Safety Inspector position exists to conduct inspections of pipeline compliance through standard and field inspections, participate in and share lessons learned in damage prevention discussions in areas of higher pipeline damage, participate in regional Damage Prevention Councils, review excavation damage metrics from available Colorado 811 and PUC data, perform public awareness program evaluations, and assist staff in presentations to the affected stakeholders through operator training. In addition, this position has administrative responsibilities involving auditable documentation required by the work unit to determine the compliance or non-compliance of the operators/contractors assigned to this position and work group guidelines.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Inspecting pipeline operator facilities (e.g., pipelines, pressure control facilities, compressor stations, etc.) and observing field operations, maintenance, and construction activities to verify compliance with applicable pipeline safety regulations;
• Reviewing operator procedural manuals and operator performance records of tasks listed in the procedures;
• Auditing jurisdictional pipeline operators’ procedures, processes, and records to verify compliance with applicable pipeline safety regulations (known in the work unit as a "Standard Inspection");
• Training or facilitating training of pipeline operators on applicable pipeline safety regulations, industry standards, and industry best practices to foster collaborative and consistent approaches to regulatory compliance;
• Identifying areas of non-compliance/deficiency and initiating appropriate course of remedy: Operator training, Request for Information and/or follow-up in-depth inspection, compliance action (Warning, Notice of Probable Violation, Corrective Action Order);
• Reviewing operator procedures for completeness to perform, record, and verify safety compliance activities in accordance with Colorado pipeline safety regulations and/or established industry practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience

Option 1: Experience

• Six (6) years of relevant full-time professional* work experience in oil and gas inspection, safety compliance industry, public sector, and/or in a government agency, including experience with auditing, quality control, and/or investigating transit-related work (i.e accidents, incidents, occurrences, and hazards).

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience

• Associate’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in applied science, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, environmental engineering, environmental policy, environmental studies, mathematics, or a field of study related