Operator Qualification (OQ) Specialist

NV Energy; Iowa (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s MidAmerican Energy Company is seeking an operator qualification specialist to develop and deliver training for gas operations in compliance with DOT, OSHA and DOL requirements. You will maintain the operator qualification training database and ensure accurate documentation across audits and regulatory reviews.

You will coordinate hands-on training, act as a subject-matter expert for craft issues, mentor apprenticeship committees, and liaise with regulators to support

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in technical engineering, business administration or related field.
• Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.
• Four years experience in gas operations or similar operations.
• Journey-level certification in gas crafts or similar craft experience preferred.
• Knowledge of field and plant work practices, bargaining unit agreements, company standards and policies related to gas, electric or plant construction, operation and maintenance preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with diverse audiences.
• Effective interpersonal and leadership abilities with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex information accurately and understandably.
• Demonstrated effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills with moderately complex and diverse subjects. Project management skills; demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple large projects concurrently.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• This position is subject to Department of Transportation mandated drug testing, including but not limited to random drug testing.

Responsibilities

• Supports the development, coordination and conducts hands-on training in operations procedures, standards, equipment, emergency procedures/response, other technical/craft-specific training and operator qualification.
• Supports operational training as a subject-matter expert for specific craft issues and works as part of multi-function teams to ensure integration of training needs with ancillary work groups that interact with craft personnel.
• Supports the development and implementation of technical operator qualification evaluations.
• Provides support to ensures consistent processes and procedures are in place and are the basis of operator qualification.
• Provide internal consulting services to operating units including all levels of management ensuring current and future regulatory requirements are met.
• Work as a liaison with state and federal regulators on critical issues (such as incident investigations, policy improvements, participating in program audits).
• Coach, develop, mentor, lead, and motivate Local Apprenticeship Committees to achieve optimum performance and comply with all company policies and procedures.
• Proactively identify issues and implement problem solving strategies with apprentices, peers and management.
• Provides support to ensure MidAmerican Energy Company and contractor operator qualification programs comply with company policies and standards and local, state and federal regulations; enforce safety rules and practices; and are accurate, consistent and documented according to retention criteria.
• Completes field audits quarterly involving MidAmerican Energy Company and contract employees to ensure operator qualification tasks are being performed accordingly.
• Maintains effective business relationships with unions.
• Tests contractor fusers as needed throughout the year.
• Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.

Skills

Gas operations knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Communication

Analytical thinking

Project management

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in technical engineering or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

The operator qualification specialist supports the development and delivery of instructional activities associated with gas operations in accordance with Department of Labor, Department of Transportation and Occupational Safety and Health Administration requirements. The operator qualification specialist also provides support for: ensuring that all gas operator qualification programs and development of programs complies with company policies, standards and procedures and with local, state and federal regulations; enforcing safety rules and practices; oversight of the operator qualification and apprenticeship training data base, ensuring compliance documentation is accurate, consistent and documented according to retention criteria and is based on consistent procedures.

MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.

MidAmerican Energy Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

Bachelor's degree in technical engineering, business administration or related field; or equivalent work experience. (Typically six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess a bachelor's degree.)

Four years experience in gas operations or similar operations. Journey-level certification in gas crafts or similar craft experience preferred.

Knowledge of field and plant work practices, bargaining unit agreements, company standards and policies related to gas, electric or plant construction, operation and maintenance preferred.

Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally with diverse audiences. Effective interpersonal and leadership abilities with a demonstrated ability to communicate complex information accurately and understandably.

Demonstrated effective analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills with moderately complex and diverse subjects. Project management skills; demonstrated ability to prioritize and handle multiple large projects concurrently. High degree of individual initiative to complete tasks in a timely manner with quality. Personal computer skills, proficiency with Microsoft Office applications. This position is subject to Department of Transportation mandated drug testing, including but not limited to random drug testing.

Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law.

Position descriptions are developed as guides for the employees of Berkshire Hathaway Energy. The management team of Berkshire Hathaway Energy reserves the right to modify job responsibilities and position requirements to meet the corporate business goals and needs.

Supports the development, coordination and conducts hands‑on training in operations procedures, standards, equipment, emergency procedures/response, other technical/craft-specific training and operator qualification. Supports operational training as a subject‑matter expert for specific craft issues and works as part of multi‑function teams to ensure integration of training needs with ancillary work groups that interact with craft personnel. Supports the development and implementation of technical operator qualification evaluations. Provides support to ensures consistent processes and procedures are in place and are the basis of operator qualification. Provide internal consulting services to operating units including all levels of management ensuring current and future regulatory requirements are met. Work as a liaison with state and federal regulators on critical issues (such as incident investigations, policy improvements, participating in program audits). Coach, develop, mentor, lead, and motivate Local Apprenticeship Committees to achieve optimum performance and comply with all company policies and procedures. Proactively identify issues and implement problem solving strategies with apprentices, peers and management. Provides support to ensure MidAmerican Energy Company and contractor operator qualification programs comply with company policies and standards and local, state and federal regulations; enforce safety rules and practices; and are accurate, consistent and documented according to retention criteria. Completes field audits quarterly involving MidAmerican Energy Company and contract employees to ensure operator qualification tasks are being performed accordingly. Maintains effective business relationships with unions. Tests contractor fusers as needed throughout the year. Perform additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.