Gas Control Technician

The Gas Control Technician controls and monitors high-pressure transmission and distribution pipelines including, where applicable, compressor stations, measurement and control facilities, pipeline interconnects and peak shaving facilities through the usage of the Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

This position requires a minimum of one year experience in process and control application in the natural gas industry or equivalent experience in a related environment, and a degree from an accredited university or equivalent combination of related education, training and work experience.

This position must have a basic knowledge of physics (natural gas properties and Ideal Gas Laws); electronics and algebra is required.

This position must have a working knowledge of office equipment, personal computers and a variety of software applications including SCADA; word processing, spreadsheets and database programs is required.

This position must also possess the ability to understand and visualize the cause and effect relationships in a dynamic gas piping system; accurately generate, transcribe, and tabulate technical data; perform continuous, detailed work; work without direct supervision; operate computers, process and control data/voice communication systems; meet and maintain quality and quantity performance levels as required by management. This position must have strong interpersonal skills, have the ability to communicate effectively with internal and external customers, and have the ability to make quick and accurate decisions and work under pressure and must have the ability to adapt to changes in technology and processes.

Employees must pass all written tests and/or hands-on training, or simulations as required for this job classification; this includes all the covered task modules for Operator Qualification. Employees must qualify in all covered tasks in their classification.

TYPICAL JOB FUNCTIONS

(Responsibilities/duties performed)

• Monitor and control gas volumes, flow rates and pressures in transmission and distribution pipelines using SCADA system
• Start, stop and adjust speed, flow rate and pressure set-points of compressor stations using SCADA system
• Operate SCADA and personal computer systems
• Validate measurement and SCADA system data
• Perform analysis of SCADA data being alert to abnormalities and areas where effectiveness can be improved
• Calculate corrected gas volumes
• May track unaccounted for gas and imbalances
• As applicable, coordinate gas volumes, flow rates and pressures from pipeline interconnect and peak shaving facilities
• Interact with field personnel performing pipeline operation, maintenance and emergency response activities.
• Interact with Gas Controllers of upstream pipelines and customer's representatives
• Knowledge of company and upstream pipeline tariffs and North American Energy Standards Board (NAESB) requirements
• Design and support the implementation of SCADA displays and reports
• May perform emergency dispatching procedures
• Maintain Control Room operator log and detailed event log during emergency situations
• Communicate effectively both verbally and in writing
• Administer and comply with federal, state and Company rules and regulations
• Perform all duties in a safe manner
• Promote good public relations
• Compile, update and distribute spreadsheets, reports, logs and other documents to internal/external customers
• Develop and implement daily plans for flow of scheduled gas
• May monitor the Homeland Security Threat Level multiple times a day
• Comply with all aspects of the SWG Control Room Management Plan
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Regular and predictable attendance is a condition of employment and is an essential function of the job

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be available to perform shift work, staggered workweek, including recognized holidays.
• Must be available to work overtime.
• Must successfully complete all aspects of required training.
• Must comply with Company rules of general conduct, Company policies and procedures.
• Must be able to be contacted and respond for emergency duty when on-call.
• Must respond to base location or emergency site within one hour when on-call.
• May be subject to be on-call.
• Must possess a valid driver's license.

This position is regulated by the Department of Transportation (DOT) under Title 49 CFR Part 382 and Part 40. Any applicant/employee who performs a DOT covered function or is licensed and would operate a commercial vehicle for the Company will be subject to drug and alcohol testing under the Company's DOT drug and alcohol testing programs. Any employment, transfer, or promotion offer made for this position is contingent upon taking and passing a drug test prior to the commencement of the new role. If an applicant/employee fails the drug test, any offer of employment, transfer, or promotion will be revoked.

SALARY DETAILS

Carson City: $39.47 - $53.40

At Southwest Gas, attracting the best talent is key to our strategy and success as a company. We use flexibility to develop competitive compensation offers to ensure we are able to hire the best candidates. The quoted salary range represents the minimum and maximum of the pay range for the position. It is provided as a good faith estimate as to what our ideal candidates are likely to expect, as we tailor our offers within the range based on the selected candidate's experience, industry knowledge, location, technical and communication skills and other factors that may prove relevant during the interview and selection process.