Superintendent, Natural Gas Operations

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES

Performs advanced administrative and technical work assisting with planning, directing, and supervising the installation, maintenance, repair and operation of the natural gas distribution system while ensuring regulatory compliance and all safety regulations.

DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF THE CLASS

An employee in this class assists the department head with overseeing departmental operations and staff to ensure timely completion of natural gas maintenance, construction, regulatory work and damage control. Reporting to the Natural Gas Utility Director, employee ensures the safe, reliable, and efficient delivery of natural gas utility services to customers in alignment with the City’s strategic goals, operational priorities, and regulatory requirements. Employee will lead and direct the work of the Natural Gas Supervisor and Compliance Specialist, while leading and fostering a culture of employee engagement within the department. Emphasis of the work is on communicating clear expectations, developing and monitoring performance agreements, and employee coaching and training. Work is performed under general supervision and is evaluated on the basis of attainment of individual and divisional goals, accomplishing work objectives within budget limits, promoting a positive work culture, ensuring proactive and responsive customer service, and compliance with safety regulations.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible and accountable for the Natural Gas Distribution, Maintenance and Construction (M&C) Systems; including but not limited to performing, directing and monitoring required work in connection with design, staking, inspection, construction, maintenance and operation.
• Ensures all work in assigned area is completed within scope, schedule, cost, and on time, while providing quality service and adhering to safety and regulatory compliance.
• Attends staff meetings and communicates frequently with Natural Gas Utility Director to ensure clear and consistent communication is maintained between staff, contractors, and management.
• Manages departmental operating and capital budgets, overseeing operations, maintenance and labor expenses.
• Provides proactive and responsive customer service, thoroughly addressing customers’ requests and questions and ensuring complaints are handled as quickly and professionally as possible.
• Provides guidance and support to departmental staff; enforces strict and consistent adherence to safety practices and work specifications; assists with recruitment, selection, career development, and coaching of staff in coordination with Natural Gas Utility Director and Human Resources.
• Oversees and participates in training departmental staff, plans and schedules schools, training sessions and meetings.
• Establishes and monitors assessment systems to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures.
• Ensures compliance with all federal, state, and local regulations and codes for the Natural Gas Distribution System; ensuring all federally mandated deadlines are met.
• Monitors daily operations to enhance and maintain a high degree of public trust; identifies and influences the implementation of best practices to improve productivity, safety, public image, and to reduce operating costs.
• Responsible for troubleshooting and commissioning natural gas regulator stations, including but not limited to odorizer skids and telemetry.
• Responsible for inventory management, including but not limited to, maintaining adequate inventory levels without compromising emergency and ongoing construction requirements, identifies obsolete items for disposal, and conducts annual inventory count.
• Responds to natural gas emergencies and assumes command of departmental staff; supervises personnel to ensure that leaks are contained in a manner that is safe for staff and the general public; coordinates with fire department staff.
• Assesses complex field situations and makes decisions and recommendations for solutions.
• Participates with management in evaluating, proposing, and implementing approved technology systems and infrastructure, including but not limited to, mapping and troubleshooting systems.
• Coordinates with other City departments and outside agencies to achieve departmental goals and improve overall business results.
• Participates in meetings to respond to questions, provide technical information and advice, and ensure department is current with technologies and best practices within the natural gas distribution industry.
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Knowledge of the principles and practices of public utilities layout and design, construction, repair and maintenance of the natural gas system.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, codes, regulations, and safety orders pertaining to municipal owned natural gas systems.
• Knowledge of principles, practices, occupational hazards, and safety precautions of natural gas systems.
• Knowledge of business and residential leak surveys, atmospheric corrosion surveys, gas leak detection, line locating, valve maintenance, and corrosion control.
• Skill in collaborative conflict resolution.
• Skill and ability to effectively and efficiently manage a department including all related administrative and supervisory functions involving personnel and budget administration.
• Ability to read and interpret natural gas distribution construction plans and specifications.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, department heads, governmental officials, City employees, and contractors.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, and to prepare and maintain accurate records and reports.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate degree in mechanical engineering, construction management, business management, or a related field; bachelor's degree highly preferred.
• 3-5 years of progressively responsible experience in the management and supervision of public utilities is required; an equivalent combination of education, training and experience in public sector utility construction, installation and maintenance providing the necessary knowledge, skills and abilities to adequately perform the essential duties may be considered.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervises Natural Gas Supervisor and Compliance Specialist.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Work is generally performed in both inside and outside environmental conditions in which the employee is subject to workplace hazards including exposure to operating mechanical equipment creating fumes, odors, and dusts and atmospheric conditions with extreme cold and heat for extended periods of time. Employee is subject to a level of noise requiring workers to shout in order to be heard above the ambient noise level. In addition, the employee is subject to a chance of injury from walking or standing in a construction site. Work involves emergency call-back service.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Must be able to perform the basic life operational skills of climbing, stooping, kneeling, reaching, standing, walking, fingering, grasping, talking, hearing and repetitive motions.
• Must be able to perform medium work exerting up to 50 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 20 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects.
• Must possess visual acuity to read maps and diagrams; to operate a vehicle; and to read, analyze and prepare reports. Vocal communication is required for expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word. Hearing is required to perceive information at normal spoken word levels.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Legally eligible to work in the United States.
• Possession of a valid North Carolina Class A Commercial Driver’s License.

HIRING RANGE

$69,028-82,176