Pipeline Specialist

Tallgrass•Sterling, VA

22h

About The Position

The Pipeline Specialist performs construction and maintenance work on company facilities, including installing, operating, and maintaining gas and liquid pipeline-related facilities. The role assists with major pipeline construction and pipeline relocation projects and reports to a Construction Supervisor. It also supports regional maintenance staff with projects and emergency responses as needed. The position involves pipeline operations and maintenance, heavy equipment operation, welding and fabrication support, inspection of construction activities, project coordination, and oversight of contractors. The specialist helps ensure work complies with company standards, procedures, and applicable governmental, regulatory, and tariff requirements. The role includes administrative duties such as ordering parts, completing time sheets and expense accounts, maintaining a company vehicle, and completing required documentation. Work varies between office settings and outdoor industrial environments, including inclement weather and exposure to industrial hazards. The role requires frequent travel, sometimes overnight, and willingness to work away from home up to 50% of the time. The specialist may need to respond to emergencies and callouts outside regular business hours, carry a cell phone, and work occasional overtime and non-traditional hours. The selected candidate must pass a drug screening, background check, and fit-for-duty examination after receiving an offer and before starting employment.

Requirements

High school diploma or equivalent and at least three years of industry experience; alternatively, five years of work experience may substitute for the education requirement.
Knowledge of micrometers, calipers, and thickness-testing equipment.
Ability to work as part of a team, take direction from supervisors and construction inspectors, pay attention to detail, follow work rules, and meet project schedules.
Strong mechanical skills and knowledge of heavy equipment maintenance procedures.
Ability to operate heavy pipeline excavation equipment, including large trucks.
Experience reading and interpreting blueprints, P&IDs, sketches, and other diagrams.
Knowledge of equipment operation and servicing and basic properties of metals.
Basic knowledge of pipe SMYS grades and ANSI fitting pressure classes.
Intermediate proficiency with MS Office applications, which may include Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Ability to perform basic math, plan and organize work, communicate verbally and in writing, and prioritize multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
Strong customer focus and attention to detail; ability to perform essential and marginal job functions and adhere to management direction and work schedules.
Must achieve and maintain qualifications and progression requirements applicable to the job classification, including related Operator Qualification certifications for natural gas and products pipe maintenance activities.
May be required to achieve and maintain certifications needed for job duties, including regulatory welding certifications.
Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.
Ability to lift up to 67 pounds repeatedly, carry up to 67 pounds for up to 10 feet, and push or pull objects weighing up to 39 pounds over at least 1 foot.
Ability to climb ladders and stairs, work at heights with fall protection, bend, twist, pivot, and perform other movements needed to access work areas.
Dexterity to use hand tools and manipulate small components safely and precisely.
Physical endurance to stand, walk, and work outdoors for extended periods in varying weather, and to maneuver heavy or bulky objects over uneven spaces and distances up to 20–30 feet.
Must respond to after-hours callouts and emergencies; occasional overtime and frequent travel, sometimes overnight, may be required.
Must be willing to work away from home up to 50% of the time and may need to live near the work location for callouts and emergency response.
May be required to carry a cell phone and remain available during working and non-working hours.
Must successfully pass a drug screening, background check, and fit-for-duty examination after receiving an offer and before commencing employment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of company policies, procedures, practices, and regulatory and tariff requirements.
Knowledge and experience in safe handling practices for flammable gases, liquids, and high- and low-pressure systems.
Experience working on hazardous gas and liquids pipeline systems governed by API, ASME, and DOT codes and standards.
Evidence of previous Operator Qualification for pipeline maintenance.
Class A or Class B CDL.
Knowledge of Tallgrass policies, O&M procedures, construction practices, and regulatory requirements.
Knowledge of Hazardous Waste Operations (HAZWOPER).
Ability to sketch field drawings for as-builts, piping designs, bills of materials, weld maps, and similar documentation.

Responsibilities

Assist with hot tapping and stopple equipment, perform valve maintenance and pigging operations, clean pipe internally and externally, conduct hydrostatic testing, and perform leak surveys using flame ionization equipment.
Lead or assist others, provide training, support compliance, contribute financial input, scope projects, and oversee contractors and contract workers as needed.
Mobilize, operate, and maintain heavy excavation equipment, including hydrovac trucks, backhoes, track hoes, side booms, dozers, and maintainers; excavate frequently on in-service natural gas and products pipelines.
Coordinate and complete pipeline operations, maintenance tasks, and projects in support of plant, pipeline, corrosion, measurement, controls, pipeline maintenance, and engineering functions.
Inspect pipeline welding operations, piping systems, well equipment, tools, support structures, and other equipment.
Lay out, cut, fit, and prepare material for welding; assist welders with fabrication using piping schematics and other drawings.
Work from blueprints, sketches, and verbal instructions.
Repair shorted pipeline casings, install cathodic protection test points, and prepare pipelines for full-encirclement sleeves for anomaly repairs.
Identify, report, and correct safety and environmental concerns; actively participate in safety programs and initiatives.
Complete administrative tasks, including ordering and receiving replacement parts, completing time sheets and expense accounts, and maintaining a company vehicle.
Perform excavation spotter duties and manage excavation crossings of lines.
Operate large trucks and trailers to transport heavy equipment and project materials to job sites.
Inspect third-party construction as directed and oversee third-party construction or maintenance activities.
Participate in developing O&M procedures, site-specific procedures, project scopes, and work plans.
Assist in planning and coordinating pipeline shutouts involving hot and cold welding.
Maintain facilities and equipment and complete appropriate documentation and paperwork.
Perform work in compliance with company standards, procedures, and regulatory and tariff requirements; maintain Operator Qualifications for assigned covered tasks.
Maintain dependable attendance and performance, communicate professionally, and uphold safety for oneself, company assets, employees, and the public.
Perform other daily, weekly, monthly, or special project duties as assigned.