Pipeline Technician - Lead

Energy Transfer•Jal, NM

About The Position

The Pipeline Technician - Lead will provide strategic field leadership and technical oversight for the safe, reliable, and compliant operation of gas and liquid pipeline systems, facilities, and associated equipment. This position serves as the senior field authority within the assigned area, accountable for operational integrity, regulatory compliance, workforce coordination, and continuous improvement. The Lead drives execution excellence by aligning daily operations with company objectives, optimizing resources, mentoring personnel, and serving as the primary field liaison to internal leadership and external stakeholders. This role has direct influence on safety culture, operational performance, risk mitigation, and asset reliability.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED preferred.
Level A requires a minimum of 4+ years of relevant industry experience or equivalent work experience
Valid driver’s license with demonstrated safe driving record
Excellent organizational skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a group environment
Demonstrated self-starter with the ability to work independently and exercise good judgment

Nice To Haves

Mechanical aptitude with the ability to learn and perform operation and maintenance tasks associated with various types of facilities and equipment
Proficiency with computers, including MS Office applications such as Excel and Outlook, as well as other computer-based work training, time reporting, expense reporting, and online work applications and documentation

Responsibilities

Lead and direct the inspection, maintenance, and operation of pipelines and facilities, including valves, filters, pumps, gas compressors, storage tanks, and pump station equipment, ensuring system reliability, efficiency, and regulatory compliance.
Serve as the field subject matter expert (SME) for pipeline operations, providing advanced technical guidance and decision-making support.
Maintain accountability for operational readiness, asset health, and performance metrics within the assigned area.
Oversee and verify the proper execution of energy isolation and Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, ensuring strict adherence to safety standards and risk controls.
Provide daily leadership, work direction, and technical mentorship to technicians and contractors; establish clear expectations and drive accountability for safe and efficient execution.
Plan, prioritize, and coordinate maintenance, operational activities, outages, and projects to optimize resource utilization and minimize downtime.
Support workforce development through coaching, performance feedback, skills assessment, and training coordination; contribute to succession planning initiatives.
Promote a high-performance team culture grounded in safety, professionalism, and operational excellence.
Maintain advanced knowledge of applicable regulations and standards (including OSHA, DOT, EPA, and other governing authorities).
Ensure that required inspections, testing, documentation, reporting, and audit-readiness activities are completed accurately and on schedule.
Serve as the primary field contact for Damage Prevention activities, including pipeline patrols, one-call coordination, locating and marking pipelines, and oversight of excavations, line crossings, and third-party activities.
Proactively identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to protect personnel, assets, and the environment.
Champion safety programs and initiatives; lead safety meetings, conduct Job Safety Analyses (JSAs), and reinforce adherence to company safety policies and procedures.
Provide leadership during emergency response situations; participate in root cause investigations and drive corrective and preventive actions.
Model and reinforce a strong safety culture that prioritizes hazard recognition, procedural compliance, and continuous learning.
Identify opportunities to enhance reliability, reduce costs, improve efficiency, and strengthen compliance processes.
Lead or support continuous improvement initiatives and operational standardization efforts.
Serve as a liaison with landowners, public agencies, utilities, contractors, and other pipeline operators to coordinate activities and resolve complex field issues.
Provide field-level insights and recommendations to leadership to support strategic planning and operational decision-making.