Damage Prevention Technician

Atmos Energy • Radford, VA

4d

About The Position

The Damage Prevention Technician locates and marks company transmission and distribution systems, service lines, and other facilities; interprets system maps; and coordinates with company crews and outside contractors to arrange re-marking when needed. The role investigates natural gas facility damages, maintains relationships with excavators, municipalities, and company personnel involved in excavation, reports suspected system damage, and helps ensure company maps and records are accurate. The technician completes records and reports required by company and regulatory standards, addresses safety and encroachment issues, and safely operates and inspects assigned vehicles and equipment. When not performing damage prevention duties, the technician may assist other operations functions and perform C&M and service work.

The position may involve standby duty, shifts, holidays, weekends, emergency call-outs, occasional extensive hours, and work outside the regular work area. It is performed outdoors in varied weather and may involve climate extremes, high noise levels, rough terrain, overnight travel, and a residence requirement tied to call-out response time. The technician must follow company policies and safety procedures, complete required safety training, and contribute to a safe working environment.

Requirements

• High school diploma or General Equivalency Diploma (GED).
• Two years of experience in natural gas, damage prevention activities, service, construction and maintenance, and/or pipeline operations.
• Thorough understanding of company operations.
• Obtain and maintain minimum Operator Qualifications (OQs) and required classroom training, other OQs, classroom training, or certifications within six months.
• Valid driver's license in accordance with company standards.
• Ability to communicate, persuade, and/or influence internal and external customers; strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to use the company internet/intranet, take and upload digital photos of marking activity to each line locate ticket, and use available systems for data entry, reference, and retrieval.
• Ability to work outdoors in varied weather, including climate extremes, and potentially in high noise and rough terrain; overnight travel may be required.
• Ability to perform occasional bending, stooping, grasping, reaching, twisting, turning, and lifting.
• Acute sense of sight and hearing, corrected or uncorrected, and a strong sense of smell.
• Ability to lift tools, equipment, and materials up to 45 pounds.
• Complete required pre- and post-employment safety-sensitive screenings, including applicable DOT and PHMSA drug testing and motor vehicle record background checks.

Responsibilities

• Accurately locate and mark company transmission and distribution systems, service lines, and other facilities.
• Read and interpret system maps.
• Coordinate with company crews and outside contractors to provide re-marking as needed to prevent damage.
• Investigate natural gas facility damage to determine root causes.
• Maintain working relationships with area excavators, municipalities, and company personnel responsible for excavation activities, and report suspected system damage.
• Help ensure company maps and records related to damage prevention are accurate.
• Complete and maintain accurate records and reports to meet company and regulatory requirements.
• Assist other operations functions and perform C&M and service work when not performing damage prevention duties.
• Identify, address, and report safety and encroachment issues through resolution and completion.
• Safely operate and inspect assigned company vehicles and equipment.
• Adhere to company values, strategies, policies, procedures, safety requirements, and the Code of Conduct; complete required safety training.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED