Job Responsibilities

Under direct supervision of the Pipeline Safety Supervisor, as a Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (“PHMSA”) Training and Qualification (“T&Q”) trained gas inspector, conducts standard and comprehensive inspections of gas pipeline operator Operation, Maintenance and Emergency manuals (“O&M”), procedures and safety and operational records per the Federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act of 1968 to assure compliance with the Minimum Federal Safety Standards as contained in Code of Federal Regulations (“CFR”) Title 49, Parts 191 and 192, and all safety rules and regulations adopted by the Commission; enforces safety standards in Illinois for the transportation of natural gas and other flammable gas by pipeline; evaluates pipeline operator compliance with construction safety requirements and field activities related to the operation and maintenance of the operator’s gas system; assists with the investigation of incidents resulting from releases of natural gas; assists Pipeline Analyst II and Pipeline Analyst III with standard and comprehensive inspections of gas pipeline operator plans, processes, procedures, records, and construction and field activities related to the operation and maintenance of the operator’s gas system.

1.As a PHMSA T&Q trained gas inspector, plans, schedules and conducts standard audits and comprehensive inspections of natural gas pipeline systems, including the design, testing, construction, operations and maintenance, for compliance with CFR Title 49, Parts 191, 192; prepares and submits detailed written reports of all activities; communicates verbally and in writing all apparent violations by gas system operators to the gas system operator and the Pipeline Safety Supervisor; prepares and issues Notice of Probable Violation (“NOPV”)letters; preservation of the inspection or investigation data in the Pipeline Safety database. 

2. Plans, schedules and reviews natural gas system operators' O&M plans and procedures for compliance with CFR Title 49, Parts 191 and 192; prepares and submits detailed written reports of all activities, communicates verbally and in writing all apparent violations by gas system operators to the gas system operator and the Pipeline Safety Supervisor, prepares and issues Notice of Amendment (“NOA”) letters; preservation of the review in the Pipeline Safety Database.
3. Assists with the investigation of incidents as defined by CFR Title 49, Part 191.3; assists Pipeline Analyst II and Pipeline Analyst III with standard and comprehensive inspections of gas pipeline operator plans, processes, procedures, records, and construction and field activities related to the operation and maintenance of the operator’s gas system.
4. Participates in and assists with training programs for natural gas system operators; keeps current on pipeline safety and natural gas industry issues and, as required, attends all necessary federal pipeline safety training courses.
5. Provides expert witness testimony on gas pipeline safety and enforcement issues; records and responds to inquiries from Natural Gas System Operators.
6. Performs other duties as required or assigned, which are reasonably within the scope of the duties enumerated above.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Requires knowledge, skill, and mental development equivalent to a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college, preferably in engineering or similar field; or the following experience may be substituted for a bachelor’s degree: requires five (5) years of natural gas operations experience or three (3) years of state/federal regulation compliance experience.

Requires at least 15 months of natural gas pipeline enforcement experience or three years of natural gas operations experience. Position requires superior oral and written English communication skills, and extensive knowledge of the personal computer and its related software programs and applications. Requires demonstrated ability to comprehend and apply applicable federal and state regulations and rules. Prefer experience with Pipeline Safety Database or similar program. Prefer experience conducting operations and maintenance manual, record review, and/or field inspection audits. Must achieve a composite score of at least 70% on an exam administered by the Pipeline Safety Supervisor that tests general pipeline safety knowledge and how well the candidate conducts and finds issues in a mock audit.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Cont.

The position also requires prior successful completion * of all mandatory PHMSA T&Q courses and prerequisites to be a PHMSA qualified Gas Inspector, including:

• PL1250 – Safety Evaluation of Gas Pipeline Systems Course
• PL1255 – Gas Pressure Regulation & Overpressure Protection Course
• PL1310 – Plastic and Composite Material Course
• PL3242 – Welding and Welding Inspection of Pipeline Materials Course
• PL3293 – Corrosion Control of Pipeline Systems Course

* Exception to the requirement to have all the course work completed before consideration as a potential candidate requires the potential candidate to have more than five years of natural gas operations experience and successfully completed at least four of the listed T&Q courses.

Physical Requirements

Physical requirements include adequate mobility and stamina to walk, stand, or sit for extended periods of time during site inspections; ability to bend or stoop repeatedly, ability to lift, carry, and operate light equipment (less than 20 pounds) for extended periods of time and while mobile; visual acuity sufficient to review records, perform visual inspections, and distinguish colors; and speech and hearing adequate to communicate detailed information in environments with significant amounts of background noise. Additionally, requires ability to perform assigned duties while subjected to various weather and environmental conditions. Travel, out of town often overnight, of 60 to 80 percent anticipated.