Damage Prevention Specialist I or II

NiSource

7d•$62,000 - $105,000

About The Position

The Damage Prevention Specialist is to reach out, educate, and influence NiSource employees, partners, excavators and the public about the importance of safe and responsible digging practices in order to prevent damage to company-owned facilities. Key Results: Timely and effective in-person site visits, phone calls, texts or emails completed for 811 tickets deemed to be the most high risk Accurate interpretation and timely documentation of actions taken on high risk tickets Quantity of field educational outreach events completed Effectiveness of presentation/facilitation/delivery of educational outreach events Reduction of damage incidents per 1000 given assigned geography

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent
Operator Qualified on locates
Ability to read and interpret reports and make data based decisions
Effective communication skills (written, oral, public speaking)
Demonstrated ability to adjust messaging and approach to various audiences
Willingness to be flexible, as needed
Ability to prioritize and manage work
Ability to influence others
Willingness to travel outside of normal territory as business conditions require
Self-reliant, self-directed
Proficient in computer applications (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
Knowledge of utility operations (i.e. gas, electric, construction, engineering)
Knowledge of gas and/or electric standards
Knowledge and understanding of damage prevention plans at the NiSource and state level
Knowledge of the damage prevention process (i.e. one call and safe digging laws)
Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship

Nice To Haves

Associate's Degree or above

Responsibilities

Operate as the company subject-matter expert in damage prevention within assigned geography for public safety, employee safety and continuity of service for customers
Maintain knowledge of and effectively communicate safe digging laws, best practices and the impact of hitting company-owned facilities
Promote the current state digging laws and the locate request process with various excavators, developers, other digging contractors and associated resources
Prioritize and conduct frequent job site visits, navigating a wide variety of ground territory, to speak directly with and advise various excavators, developers, digging contractors, and project owners
Make judgment-based decisions related to evaluating one-call legislation compliance, if and when to notify emergency responders, issuing stop work orders, and addressing safety concerns in a fast-paced environment
Assess daily high risk ticket volume and prioritize top site visits and contacts to make each day in order to prevent damages and promote safe digging practices
Conduct visual quality audits on locates to evaluate compliance with NiSource standards, and provide feedback and coaching when needed
Proactively communicate and coordinate with NiSource operational partners to address high risks in the field, where DPS can’t personally make contact or visit the job site
Facilitate one on one or group training sessions tailored to various internal/external audiences (contractors, public, other utilities, etc.) relative to policy, procedures, and state one-call laws
Serve as a SME for public safety events (e.g. touch a truck, etc.), and lead the damage prevention discussions at safety and employee meetings
Document actions taken after responding to high risk tickets to aid in the evaluation of what actions were most effective in preventing damages
Monitor mapping accuracy as compared to original job orders and report discrepancies back to engineering or mapping, through the creation of facility map revisions