Pipeline Safety Inspector I

Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management•Warwick, RI

18h•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves assisting with inspections of natural gas pipeline facilities, including standard, construction, and follow-up inspections. The inspector will examine critical components like valves, regulator stations, meters, and odorizers using Field Evaluation forms and specialized equipment such as multi-meters and odorometers. The primary goal is to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations regarding the design, installation, operation, and maintenance of these facilities. The position also includes reviewing operator programs, plans, and records, assisting in incident investigations, and composing reports and official letters to document findings and notify operators of violations. The role requires cooperation with federal monitoring, attending training courses, and assisting in the enforcement of Dig-Safe laws and federal pipeline safety regulations. Additionally, the inspector will perform audits, document all activities, coordinate utility operations data for emergency management, respond to emergency situations, and investigate consumer complaints. The position works under general direction with latitude for independent judgment and typically supervises no one.

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 an 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.

Nice To Haves

Within three (3) years of appointment, must successfully complete the Federal Department of Transportation, Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s Basic Gas Inspector Training Program.
As a condition of employment, 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, 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 pipeline facilities such as regulator stations, leak repairs, relief valves, rectifiers, odorizers, master meters, and critical valves.
Inspect gas pipelines during construction, including reviewing welding procedures, plastic joining procedures, and use of proper materials.
Assist in the investigation of 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 key partner in ESF-12 (energy).
Work at the Emergency Management Agency’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) during inclement weather and other times of activation.
Be on call and respond to emergency situations as needed.
Investigate consumer complaints regarding gas utility services or lack of service.