Pipeline Safety Inspector I-2

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management•Warwick, RI

About The Position

This role assists with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities, including standard, construction, and follow-up inspections. The inspector will examine critical valves, regulator stations, master meters, relief valves, pressure recorders, odorizers, and rectifiers using Field Evaluation forms. They will utilize specialized equipment like multi-meters and odorometers. The position requires adherence to applicable guidelines, regulations, supervisory directives, and professional standards to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations concerning the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities. The role also involves reviewing operator programs, plans, procedures, policies, maps, and records; assisting in safety evaluations and incident investigations; inspecting gas pipelines during construction, including welding and joining procedures; investigating incidents to determine root causes; composing reports and official letters (e.g., Notices of Violation); cooperating with federal monitoring of the state program; attending pipeline safety training; coordinating and enforcing Dig-Safe laws and federal pipeline safety enforcement; performing annual record and field operator audits; documenting all activities; coordinating utility operations data for energy-related emergency response; being on call for emergency situations; and investigating consumer complaints regarding gas utility services.

Requirements

Working knowledge and understanding of engineering principles, theories, and processes.
Knowledge of the fundamental principles and practices of engineering in natural gas and the ability to apply such knowledge to relevant engineering problems encountered in the construction, maintenance, repair, and operation of a gas utility.
Knowledge of inspection and research techniques involved in the review of gas operators' records.
Ability to conduct audits and inspections of gas pipelines.
Familiarity with the Pipeline Safety Regulations – 49 CFR Parts 190 through 199 and Part 40 (or any applicable successor provision).
Familiarity with Rhode Island’s One-Call regulations regarding underground utility location and damage prevention.
Ability to apply engineering concepts in conducting pipeline safety inspections.
Ability to interpret and understand regulations and standards.
Ability to develop schedules to ensure that required inspections and follow-up inspections are completed.
Ability to prepare supporting material and justification for grant and budget requests.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, subordinates, public utility personnel, and the public.
Possession of a Bachelor of Science degree from a college of recognized standing in Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field.
A minimum of one (1) year of employment in a technical position in a Utility engineering program or other comparable level at a public agency or in a private industry.
Must successfully complete the Federal Department of Transportation, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Basic Gas Inspector Training Program within three (3) years of appointment.
Must remain current with all training and certifications as outlined by PHMSA.
Must complete specialized elective training and other training(s) as directed by the agency.

Responsibilities

Assist with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities (standard, construction, and follow-up).
Inspect and observe critical valves, regulator stations, master meters, relief valves, pressure recorders, odorizers, and rectifiers using Field Evaluation forms.
Utilize specialized equipment such as multi-meters and odorometers.
Determine compliance with state and federal regulations regarding design, installation, operation, and maintenance of facilities.
Review natural gas operators’ programs, plans, procedures, policies, maps, records, and other documents.
Assist in conducting pipeline safety evaluations and incident/accident investigations.
Inspect gas pipelines during construction, reviewing welding procedures, plastic joining procedures, and material usage.
Assist in investigating incidents to gather information on root cause.
Compose reports such as field evaluations, construction inspections, natural gas incident documentation, and follow-up notices.
Compose official letters such as Notices of Violation.
Cooperate with federal monitoring of the state program.
Attend pipeline safety training courses.
Assist in the coordination and enforcement of Dig-Safe laws and federal pipeline safety enforcement.
Perform annual record and field operator audits and provide written documentation of findings.
Ensure all activities, contacts, and meetings are properly documented and electronically filed.
Coordinate utility operations data, including outage reports, as a partner in ESF-12 (energy).
Work at the Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during inclement weather and other activations.
Be on call and respond to emergency situations as needed.
Investigate consumer complaints regarding gas utility services or lack of service.
Perform related work as required.