Pipeline Safety Engineer

The Public Service Commission seeks a talented Pipeline Safety Engineer to join our team and conduct pipeline inspections including gas operators to ensure safe and reliable gas and utility operations. This rewarding position requires analytical and investigative skills, outstanding communication, and ability to shift focus as changing circumstances require. The successful candidate will join our team of highly motivated staff who collaborate on interesting, meaningful, and critical work. Together we strive to meet our agency's goal of providing extraordinary service to the citizens of Montana.

Duties:

• Communicates frequently with pipeline operators and advises of changing regulations or state and federal compliance requirements.
• Conducts field audits and ensures gas pipeline utilities comply with safety rules and regulations; ensures compliance with Department of Transportation requirements.
• Reviews, evaluates, and explains state and federal pipeline safety policy proposals to the Commission, staff, and other stakeholders.
• Analyzes technical and operational pipeline safety issues and recommends policy positions to the Commission during public meetings or in writing.
• Cooperate with federal monitoring of the state program and verify program compliance with certification requirements.
• Participates with safety training courses including training conducted by Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's office of Training and Qualifications (TQ).
• Determines pipeline operator training needs and provides customized instruction through use of federal standards, TQ training aids, and professional literature.
• Assists supervisor with procedures and documentation for non-compliance issues, preparation of zero-based budgeting for program review and ongoing activities, and recommends new projects, resources, and equipment needs.
• Participate in legislative and rulemaking activities regarding safety standards for jurisdictional intrastate pipelines.

Required Application Materials:

A completed Montana state application.

A cover letter describing how your professional career, experience, and education prepared you to meet the requirements of this position.

A resume detailing relevant work experience including employer, dates of employment (month & year-start & end), and reason for leaving.

All applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit educational certificates.

Special Information: This position is open until filled. This position travels in state approximately 30% to 50% of the time with typically advance notice. Out of state training in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma with approx. 20 to 22 weeks of training to take place at the Pipeline Hazardous Material Safety Administration. Seven core classes must be completed within 3 years.

Competencies:

• Knowledge of basic pipeline infrastructure and general construction procedures.
• Knowledge of basic engineering principles related to natural gas transmissions systems and distribution systems.
• Knowledge of research and analysis, report writing, and record keeping.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to analyze and evaluate complex engineering, technical, and policy issues.
• Ability to use personal computers including Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to travel overnight on short notice and work in inclement weather when needed.
• Ability to conduct inspections and investigations of pipeline operations.
• Ability to establish and maintain working relationships.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or engineering technology preferred. Other combinations of education and experience may be substituted.