Sr Stopple Technician

Northern Natural Gas; Farmington (MN); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Natural Gas seeks a skilled technician to plan, coordinate and perform pipeline stoppling and tapping on our pressurized transmission system in Minnesota. You will work on routine and emergency operations, ensuring safety and reliability.

This role requires technical education or equivalent experience, a CDL/DOT certification, welding readiness, and strong communication. You will travel 70% of the year, operate trucks, maintain equipment and keep precise records.

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a technical field or equivalent work experience (typically three years).
• DOT/CDL certificate and records required.
• Welding skills or ability to achieve welding skill level 3 per Northern's program.
• Proficient with Word, Excel and Access.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks concurrently.
• Subject to 24-hour on-call, overtime and up to ~70% year travel away from home.
• Work in all weather conditions.

Responsibilities

• Perform stoppling and tapping for scheduled and emergency activities.
• Provide work direction and coordinate tie-ins while ensuring safety and reliability.
• Review construction drawings for operations, tie-in feasibility and codes.
• Maintain, test and repair equipment in safe, efficient condition.
• Maintain records as required by code and procedures.
• Operate company trucks with trailers to transport equipment.
• Provide technical support for project feasibility and planning.
• Perform additional responsibilities as assigned.
• Communicate with Operations management and contractors.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Prioritization

Education

Associate's degree in a technical field

DOT/CDL certificate

Tools

Word

Excel

Access

Job description

Job Description

The purpose of this position is to plan, coordinate and perform pipeline stoppling and tapping activities on Northern's pressurized natural gas transmission pipeline.

The purpose of this position is to plan, coordinate and perform pipeline stoppling and tapping activities on Northern's pressurized natural gas transmission pipeline.

Responsibilities

• Perform stoppling and tapping for scheduled and emergency activities throughout Northern's system.
• Provide work direction and coordination tie-ins of each job while ensuring the safety of personnel and the reliability of service to Northern's customers.
• Review construction drawings to verify operations and tie-in feasibility and compliance to stopple/hot tap procedures and engineering standards and codes.
• Maintain, test and repair equipment in a safe, efficient operational condition.
• Maintain records as required by code and company procedures.
• Operate company trucks with trailers to transport work equipment to pipeline locations throughout Northern's system.
• Provide technical support for project feasibility and planning.
• Perform any additional responsibilities as requested or assigned.
• Communications / Contacts Internal - Operations management and teams External - Contractors

Qualifications

• Associate's degree in a technical field; or equivalent work experience. (Typically three years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess an Associate's degree).
• Extensive technical experience related to pipeline facilities, including knowledge of safety tolerances, codes applicable to welding and bracing, pressures of various pipe grades, and construction/environmental practices.
• Must have and maintain DOT/CDL certificate and records.
• Preferred welding skills or be able to achieve welding skills at skill level 3 of Northern's skill qualification program within a time established by the manager.
• Personal computer skills (Word, Excel, Access).
• Effective oral and written communication skills.
• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize and handle multiple tasks and projects concurrently.
• Subject to 24-hour on-call, overtime, and assignments away from home location approximately 70% of the year with little or no notice.
• Activities performed in all types of weather conditions for extended periods.

About Us

BHE Pipeline Group consists of Berkshire Hathaway Energy’s interstate natural gas pipeline companies, BHE GT&S, Kern River Gas Transmission Company and Northern Natural Gas Company. Combined, BHE Pipeline Group operates approximately 21,200 miles of pipeline with a design capacity of approximately 21.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, owns assets in 27 states and is an industry leader in natural gas transportation. BHE Pipeline Group also operates 22 natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 515.6 billion cubic feet and a liquefied natural gas export, import and storage facility.

About The Team

Northern Natural Gas 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.