PIPELINE SAFETY INSPECTOR I

RI Council 94; Warwick (RI); On-site; USD 86,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

RI Council 94 is seeking a Pipeline Safety Inspector I to assist with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities, including valves, regulator stations, meters, and odorization equipment. The role requires evaluating compliance with federal and state regulations and preparing reports and notices of violations as needed.

The position entails on-site inspections, review of operator programs and documentation, and participation in PHMSA training.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Civil, Electrical, Mechanical or closely related field required.
• Minimum of one year of experience in a technical utility engineering position or similar.
• Completion of PHMSA Basic Gas Inspector Training within three years of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities including valves, regulator stations, master meters, relief valves, and odorizers.
• Utilize specialized equipment such as multi-meters and odorometers.
• Review operators' programs, plans, procedures, policies and maps for compliance with regulations.
• Conduct pipeline safety evaluations and incident investigations.
• Prepare field evaluations, construction inspections and incident documentation.

Skills

Audits & inspections

Regulatory compliance

Field evaluation forms

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or related field

Job description

Department: Public Utilities Commission / Division Regulatory Compliance

Salary: $85,819.00 - $97,149.00

Job Profile: JC-02253801-78 - Pipeline Safety Inspector I (RIASSE Local 580 DBR PUC)

Scheduled Work Days & Work Hours: MONDAY - FRIDAY 8:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Job Requisition Number: JR103864

Job Title: PIPELINE SAFETY INSPECTOR I (Open)

Pay Grade: C00A30 A Classification

Position Class Definition: Pipeline Safety Inspector I Class

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

To assist with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities (such as standard, construction, and follow-up inspections) including inspecting and observing critical valves, regulator stations, master meters, relief valves, pressure recorders, odorizers, and rectifiers using Field Evaluation forms; to utilize specialized equipment such as multi-meters and odorometers; to follow applicable guidelines and regulations, supervisory directives, and professional standards in order to determine compliance with state and federal regulations regarding design, installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED

Works under the general direction of a superior with latitude for the exercise of independent judgement in technical and administrative matters; work is reviewed for conformance to Division policies and industry regulations.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

Usually none.

ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES OF WORK PERFORMED

• To assist with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities (such as standard, construction, and follow-up inspections) including inspecting and observing critical valves, regulator stations, master meters, relief valves, pressure recorders, odorizers, and rectifiers using Field Evaluation forms.
• To utilize specialized equipment such as multi-meters and odorometers.
• To follow applicable guidelines and regulations, supervisory directives, and professional standards in order to determine compliance with state and federal regulations regarding design, installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities.
• To review natural gas operators’ programs, plans, procedures, policies, maps, records and other documents necessary to determine compliance with federal and state statutes and regulations.
• To assist in conducting pipeline safety evaluations as well as incident and accident investigations.
• To assist in the inspection of gas pipeline facilities such as regulator stations, leak repairs, relief valves, rectifiers, odorizers, master meters, and critical valves in order to ensure safety and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• To assist in inspecting gas pipelines during construction including reviewing welding procedures, plastic joining procedures, and use of proper materials in order to ensure safety and compliance with state and federal regulations.
• To assist in the investigation of incidents to gathering information on root cause in order to ensure safety and compliance with state and federal procedures and ensure deficiencies are corrected to prevent recurrence.
• To compose reports such as field evaluations, construction inspections, natural gas incident documentation, and follow-up notices in order to report findings and document compliance with state and federal guidelines.
• To compose official letters such as Notices of Violation in order to notify operators of violations that will result in compliance by the operator.
• To cooperate with federal monitoring of the state program to assure program compliance with certification requirements.
• To attend pipeline safety training courses conducted by PHMSA’s office of Training and Qualifications (TQ) and others as directed or required.
• To assist in the coordination and enforcement of Dig-Safe laws and federal pipeline safety enforcement through an agreement with the U.S. Department of Transportation, Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) under Pipeline Safety Code of Federal Regulations CFR- Chapter 49 Parts §190-§199 and Part §40, inclusive (or any applicable successor provisions).
• To perform annual record and field operator audits and provide written documentation of all findings including areas in violation, areas of concern, and improvement opportunities.
• To ensure all activities, contacts, and meetings are properly documented and documentation is appropriately electronically filed.
• To coordinate utility operations data to include outage reports from all regulated utilities as a key partner in ESF-12 (energy) and work at the Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during inclement weather and other times of activation as deemed necessary by a supervisor.
• To be on call and to respond to emergency situations as needed.
• To investigate consumer complaints regarding gas utility services or lack of service.
• To do related work as required.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR APPOINTMENT

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES

A working knowledge and understanding of engineering principles, theories and processes; knowledge of the fundamental principles and practices of engineering in natural gas and the ability to apply such knowledge to relevant engineering problems encountered in the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of a gas utility; knowledge of inspection and research techniques involved in the review of gas operators' records; the ability to conduct audits and inspections of gas pipelines; familiarity with the Pipeline Safety Regulations – 49 CFR Parts 190 through 199 and Part 40 (or any applicable successor provision); familiarity with Rhode Island’s One-Call regulations regarding underground utility location and damage prevention; the ability to apply engineering concepts in conducting pipeline safety inspections; the ability to interpret and understand regulations and standards; the ability to develop schedules to ensure that required inspections and follow-up inspections are completed; the ability to prepare supporting material and justification for grant and budget requests; the ability to establish and maintain an effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, public utility personnel, and the public; and related capacities and abilities.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

Education: Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree from a college of recognized standing in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field;

Experience: A minimum of one (1) year of employment in a technical position in a Utility engineering program or other comparable level at a public agency or in a private industry.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Within three (3) years of appointment, must successfully complete the Federal Department of Transportation, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Basic Gas Inspector Training Program.
2. As a condition of employment, must remain current with all training and certifications as outlined by PHMSA.
3. Must complete specialized elective training and other training(s) as directed by the agency.

Benefits

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.

STATE OF RHODE ISLAND JOBS

The State of Rhode Island is committed to providing fundamental services to all Rhode Islanders. Join our team and enjoy the benefits of providing public service with purpose and impact.

The State of Rhode Island provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the process, please contact [e-mail].