Field Investigator (Public Utilities Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator)

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting. Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affect nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers. To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans. Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.

The Gas Pipeline Safety team at the PUCO is responsible for enforcing federal and state pipeline safety regulations. We work in partnership with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). In this position as a Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator, you will be a field-based employee responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and conducting independent field audits and inspections with gas utilities. Inspections include: Reviews of company plans and procedures Reviews of company construction, operations, and maintenance records Field observations of gas company employees, contractors Field inspections of company pipeline facilities. You will also be assigned to investigate natural gas related incidents and complaints. The position will involve learning and applying federal and state pipeline safety regulations to various company records and facilities to determine whether the company is complying with the regulations. Some inspections are performed as part of a team, but most inspections are performed independently. This position will be based in Northeast Ohio and most assignments will be in that part of the state but occasional assignments requiring overnight stays in other parts of the state are possible. Travel to Columbus will also be required throughout the year for meetings at the PUCO headquarters in downtown Columbus. The position will also require the successful completion of several training courses at PHMSA’s training facility in Oklahoma City, OK during the first 3 years in the position. A state vehicle will be assigned for work related travel within in the state. The selected candidate must reside in or relocate to Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, Mahoning, or Trumbull County areas.

Requirements

• 5 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; 1 course or 3 mos. trg. in general management; 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in public relations; valid driver's license.
• 5 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector & successful completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.
• Completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering; valid driver's license.
• Completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; successful completion of seven basic Transportation Safety Institute courses in gas pipeline safety; valid driver's license.
• Completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector; completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.
• Equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
• Valid driver's license.

Responsibilities

• Scheduling, coordinating, and conducting independent field audits and inspections with gas utilities.
• Reviews of company plans and procedures.
• Reviews of company construction, operations, and maintenance records.
• Field observations of gas company employees and contractors.
• Field inspections of company pipeline facilities.
• Investigate natural gas related incidents and complaints.
• Learning and applying federal and state pipeline safety regulations to various company records and facilities to determine whether the company is complying with the regulations.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )
• Cost of living adjustments
• Longevity supplements after five years of public service
• Wellness incentives

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree