Operator Qualification Evaluator

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Pharmacy Plan

Dental

Vision

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Gas Compliance and Operator Qualification (OQ) Program Specialist to conduct field and office assessments ensuring adherence to PHMSA, DOT, and company standards. You will evaluate KSAs and administer performance reviews to determine capabilities for covered tasks on gas pipelines.

You will help develop processes, monitor metrics, and communicate findings to management to strengthen regulatory compliance and organizational safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field or equivalent experience.
• Five years of experience in the gas utility industry.
• Ability to travel up to 30% and work with minimal supervision.
• Proficient with office software applications.
• Knowledge of regulations and company standards and processes.

Responsibilities

• Conducts field and office compliance assessments for PHMSA, DOT and company standards.
• Administers performance evaluations to assess KSAs for covered tasks.
• Documents records legibly and traceably.
• Analyses reports to ensure policy compliance and updates processes as needed.
• Identifies compliance risks and partners with operating areas for solutions.
• Communicates findings to management and field personnel; supports improvements.
• Reviews documents to ensure proper recordkeeping.

Skills

Office software

Regulatory compliance

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

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 Summary

Provide 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 Responsibilities

• Conducts 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 Requirements

• Bachelor'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 Requirements

• Experience 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 Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

Xcel 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-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $84,900.00 to $120,566.00 per year

This 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 Leave

Benefit 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: 10/08/26

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Accessibility Statement

Xcel 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.