Operator Qualification Evaluator

Xcel Energy; Hugo (MN); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 121,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual Incentive Program

Health benefits

Pension

401(k) plan

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Gas Compliance and Operator Qualification (OQ) professional to drive audits and ensure regulatory compliance across distribution and transmission gas pipelines. The role partners with multiple groups to develop processes meeting PHMSA and DOT requirements.

Responsibilities include evaluating KSAs, documenting records, and communicating complex findings to leadership. Travel up to 30% is required, with a focus on improving gas safety and reliability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field or equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Five years of experience in the gas utility industry.
• Knowledge of PHMSA, DOT regulations and company policies.
• Ability to document, evaluate KSAs and perform covered tasks.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.

Responsibilities

• Conduct field and office compliance assessments for personnel.
• Administer evaluations to assess KSAs for covered tasks.
• Document records legibly and traceably.
• Analyze reports to ensure policy compliance and update processes.
• Identify risks and develop short/long-term solutions.
• Communicate findings to management and field staff.

Skills

Regulatory compliance

KSAs assessment

Documentation & recordkeeping

Cross-functional communication

Regulatory risk & mitigation

Office software proficiency

Travel up to 30%

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field

Experience combined with education

Tools

Office software

Job description

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy.Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.Position SummaryProvide technical and strategic expertise in the execution of a Gas Compliance and Operator Qualification (OQ) Program. Conducts field and office compliance assessments of company and contractor personnel to ensure adherence to all codes and standards. Administer performance evaluations and assessments designed to determine the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs). to perform covered tasks on distribution and transmission gas pipelines as defined by the OQ Plan. partner with multi-disciplinary groups to develop processes and procedures to fulfill regulatory requirements related to assuring gas compliance requirements and company policy. Responsible for status reporting and identifying training requirements based on assessment results. Monitor key reports and metrics to ensure compliance with policy and the OQ Plan.Essential ResponsibilitiesConducts field and office compliance assessments of company and contractor personnel to ensure adherence to all PHMSA, D.O.T. and company standards and policies.Administer performance evaluations or oral evaluations in accordance with the requirements of the evaluation, designed to assess an individual's performance of a covered task as determined by the OQ Plan.Accurately document and maintain records ensuring that said documents and records are legible, accurate, completed appropriately, and traceable to the applicable items or activities.Analyzes reports to assure compliance with company policy and procedures. Addresses and incorporates as necessary new Gas Compliance business processes into the overall Gas Compliance and Operator Qualification effort.Identifies compliance/performance risks and works with the gas operating areas in the development of intermediate and long-term solutions to meet regulatory requirements. Leverages relationships to identify opportunities for improvement and develops solutions to operational issues.Communicates information to company personnel at all levels, including presentations to management and field personnel. Creates and maintains open dialogues with departments, requests information and responds by providing suggestions, alternatives and assistance.Reviews company documents and records to ensure proper documentation and recordkeeping of all activities.Minimum RequirementsBachelor's degree in engineering or related field or a combination of education and experience providing equivalent knowledge.Five years of experience in the gas utility industry.Possess the technical knowledge and capability to ascertain an individual's KSAs to perform covered tasks and recognize and react to Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOCs) associated with the covered task.Able to provide and apply knowledge of all regulations and rules and the company's operating standards, policies, procedures and processes.Proficient with office software applications.Able to handle multiple projects, prioritize and schedule tasks, pay attention to detail and demonstrate good organizational and time management skills.Ability to travel up to 30%.Must be self-motivated and work with minimal supervision.Preferred RequirementsExperience in natural gas transmission/distribution operations, audit services, regulatory compliance functions highly preferred.Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.Our ValuesConnected, Committed, Trustworthy, SafeOur Employee CommitmentsWork that makes a differenceA team you can count ofOpportunities to growRewards that help you thriveXcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form.Non-BargainingThe anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $84,900.00 to $120,566.00 per yearThis position is eligible for the following benefits: Annual Incentive Program, Medical/Pharmacy Plan, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Dependent Care Reimbursement Account, Health Care Reimbursement Account, Health Savings Account (HSA) (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Limited-Purpose FSA (if enrolled in eligible health plan and HSA), Transportation Reimbursement Account, Short-term disability (STD), Long-term disability (LTD), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Fitness Center Reimbursement (if enrolled in eligible health plan), Tuition reimbursement, Transit programs, Employee recognition program, Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays, Volunteer Paid Time Off (VPTO), Parental LeaveBenefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.Deadline to Apply: 10/08/26EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.Accessibility StatementXcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.