Systems Operations Technician Apprentice to First Class

Unitil-Service-Corp; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 49,000 - 69,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Health plan

Dental and vision coverage

Educational assistance

Retirement plan

Job summary

Unitil in Portsmouth, NH, is hiring a Systems Operations Technician Apprentice to First Class. This full-time role performs gas system operations, inspections, and maintenance at Portsmouth facilities, with emphasis on safety, record-keeping, and regulatory compliance.

The position requires strong electrical/electromechanical skills, ability to work with contractors, and on-call emergency duties. The starting wage ranges hourly with overtime provisions and a union-informed wage plan.

Qualifications

• Must possess electrical and electromechanical skills necessary to perform the duties.
• Must be able to obtain applicable Operator Qualification (O.Q.) certification under DOT requirements.

Responsibilities

• Perform annual inspections and maintenance on pressure control facilities and related equipment.
• Inspect and maintain pressure regulation equipment and piping for atmospheric corrosion; perform remediation.
• Maintain boilers, water pumps, heat exchangers, and electrical controls.
• General maintenance of facilities and grounds; perform safety-related tasks.
• Oversee contractors and monitor fieldwork for compliance with procedures and safety rules.
• Respond to emergency calls and participate in on-call standby schedules.
• Maintain records, worksheets and reports for regulatory, asset management and accounting purposes.

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Tools

Volt-Ohm meters

deadweight testers

electronic diagnostic equipment

calibration equipment

hand tools

power tools

Job description

If you are unable to complete this application due to a disability, contact this employer to ask for an accommodation or an alternative application process.

Systems Operations Technician Apprentice to First Class

Full-Time Regular Full-Time Technical Portsmouth-NH, Portsmouth, NH, US

Salary Range: $35.93 To $50.34 Hourly

Our Company

More than a utility company, Unitil provides energy for life.

Our work helps keep homes comfortable, businesses thriving and communities connected. Unitil is an investor-owned public utility proudly serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are dedicated to delivering energy to our customers safely and reliably.

Unitil is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success of Unitil is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity and value our employees.

Take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package.

Unitil offers competitive salaries, a consumer-driven health plan, dental and vision coverage, flexible work, company-paid holidays, a, robust, highly competitive retirement plan and educational assistance.

*Note: Benefit offerings may differ between union and non-union employee groups

Position Purpose:

To perform activities required to operate and maintain all gas supply equipment, including but not necessarily limited to pressure regulators, critical valves, relief valves, odorizers and filters at pressure regulating facilities and perform minor maintenance and repairs at the Portsmouth operations center. To assist supervisory personnel in the planning and scheduling of these activities and to ensure that these activities are performed in accordance with Federal and State regulations as well as Company policy, procedures, and management objectives. To provide services as an emergency gas leak first responder with the objective of ensuring public safety and protecting company assets. To ensure the timely and accurate completion of all necessary records, timesheets, paperwork and documentation needed for accounting, regulatory, asset management and related purposes. Professionally interact with customers, regulatory authorities and employees to ensure that the company satisfactorily meets their needs.

Gas System Operations Technician

A System Operations Technician is responsible for the following:

• Perform annual inspections and related maintenance on pressure control facilities including but not limited to pressure regulators, valves, heaters, odorizers, filters, chart recorders and other related equipment.
• Working independently or with a third-party contractor, to inspect and maintain pressure regulation equipment and piping for atmospheric corrosion and perform remediation actitivities to mitigate corrosion related matters
• Maintains, troubleshoots, and repairs boilers, water pumps, heat exchangers, and electrical controls for said devices.
• Performs general maintenance and upkeep of pressure regulation facilities, strucutures and grounds utilizing applicable power and hand tools, to include vegetation control, vault pumping, power-washing and snow removal.
• Inspects and monitors contractors working on all system operations related equipment, facilities or structures as assigned and complete tailboards, daily worksheets and reports as required.
• Sets up, operates within and maintains safe work/job sites utilizing all necessary safety related equipment (cones, job-site safety board, caution tape, etc.)
• Conducts odor and leak complaint investigations using advanced leak detection technology and documents accordingly
• Performs periodic odorant intensity testing throughout the distribution system utilizing odor detection equipment.
• Operates and maintains odorant injection equipment and performs odorant transfers.
• Adjusts system pressures as needed.
• Identify abnormal operating conditions and take corrective action
• Monitors 3 rd party excavation and construction activity adjacent to all pressure regulation piping, facilities and infrastructure.
• Detect and report improper operation, faulty equipment, defective materials, and abnormal conditions to the Supervisor, Gas System Operations.
• Participates in rotating standby/on-call.
• Performs after-hour emergency response for SCADA-related communication failures (i.e., modem resets)
• Maintains complete and accurate records of inspections, tests, and repair activities
• When requested or required, oversee and assist contractors with pressure regulation facility installations-including sense line tubing and facility commissioning activities
• Must be willing to accept emergency assignments and work overtime.
• Assists supervisory personnel during site visits to ensure all work practices and procedures were followed. The job site and traffic plan are safe. Daily job briefs are being filled out and communicated clearly.
• Assist supervisory personnel with setting up compliance fieldwork.
• Must have the ability to teach methods and procedures involved in all phases of the gas system operations technician's role, work with the TTQM department in helping to develop new employees to the point that they are not lagging in advancing to develop a highly skilled and safety-conscious workforce.
• Undertakes and completes other gas operations assignments and special projects as assigned by management.
• Performs other work-related duties as assigned in accordance with the Agreement.
• Install and maintain large commercial / industrial customer meter sets; assist with commissioning and startup of customer utilization equipment-coordinating with the customer and business development services.
• When solicited by facility coordinator, perform minor building maintenance related to HVAC, plumbing and lighting systems. Perform meeting room setups.
• Respond as an emergency first responder to immediately assess these situations, make recommendations and make decisions that will ensure public safety.

Qualifications:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Must possess electrical and electromechanical skills necessary to perform the above-stated duties, including, but not limited to, the use of Volt-Ohm meters, deadweight testers, electronic diagnostic and calibration equipment, odorant intensity testing and the use of hand and power tools.
• Must possess the skills to operate and maintain leak detection and monitoring equipment, which specifcally includes CGl's, Flame Ionization equipment, infa-red leak detection (Heath DPIR) and RLMD’s (Heath remote laser methane detection)
• Must have a normal sense of smell and qualify for odor detection testing.
• Must have the ability and aptitude to perform duties independently, safely, and professionally.
• Must be proficient in the use of personal computers.
• Must be able to obtain applicable Operator Qualification (O.Q.) certification based upon the requirements set forth in D.O.T. 49 CFR 192, Subpart N.
• Will be drug tested under the PHMSA drug pool
• Must possess and retain a D.O.T. physical certificate.
• Must possess and maintain an unrestricted Motor Vehicle Operator's License.
• Must possess and retain a NH Gas Fitters License.
• Must have the ability to complete and maintain required records satisfactorily.
• Must be in good physical condition, regular in attendance, and maintain a good safety record.
• Must be able to accept assignments in a company-declared emergency, be available to work overtime, and be on standby rotation.
• Primary reporting location will be Portsmouth, NH. Must reside in or be within close proximity to the NUNH service territory.
• Must have the ability to effectively communicate.

Union Notice:

THIS NOTICE IS POSTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ARTICLE XI OF OUR AGREEMENT WITH LOCAL UNION #12012-6, United Steel Workers, dated June 8, 2025.

HOURS: The normal working hours for this position are in accordance with Article V.

WAGE:Ultimate rate - *50.34per hour (until 06/06/2027), for a 40 hour week. Overtime rates in accordance with Agreement.

*Starting wage will be in accordance with Contract.

Unitil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.