Gas Operations Controller

Please note that this position requires rotating shift work. Control room coverage is needed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. This coverage is maintained by a 5-person rotation working 12-hour rotating shifts transitioning from the scheduled day shift to the expected night shift.

Are you up for the challenge to be responsible for the monitoring and operation of Colorado Springs Utilities natural gas distribution system (pressure, regulation, and valves, etc.) to ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient distribution of natural gas across our distribution system in compliance with all PHMSA, CPUC, DOT requirements, and the Colorado Springs Utilities O&M Manual. As a natural Gas Control Operator, you will remotely monitor and control the operation of our associated natural gas distribution system, via SCADA, from the Systems Energy Control Center (SECC) and respond to SCADA system alarms to maintain system integrity.

What your day will look like…

• Monitor the overall natural gas distribution system to ensure that system pressures are maintained at normal levels and that all natural gas distribution assets continue to operate in a safe and reliable manner
• Dispatch emergency field crews for gas emergencies logged by the Clevest (Outage Management System) system, providing emergency and safety information to field crews and logging field personnel response times and outage restoration information
• Review and maintain the Gas Clearance App and Event log database, approving clearances, and a general understanding of the work being performed
• Prepare and update gas load forecasts to ensure adequate gas supplies by continually monitoring changing weather forecasts and weather conditions, using historical weather and gas load data, and analyzing real-time gas loads
• Notify the appropriate Energy Supply personnel if the projected gas load exceeds supply
• Initiate production of propane-air peak shaving plant to maintain an adequate supply
• Monitor natural gas odorization rates and gate station odorizer status to ensure gas is odorized at a safe and consistent rate
• Assist with the ongoing development and maintenance of the SCADA system including the design of SCADA displays, alarm parameter changes, and troubleshooting
• Data entry (into various Excel spreadsheets and Access databases) and analysis of pertinent system data including flow, pressure, outage, and equipment
• Ensure the safety of customers, employees, and the system by adhering to DOT (Dept. of Transportation) PHMSA (Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) Springs Utilities regulations and rules

We are looking for candidates who demonstrate...

• Relevant and progressively responsible experience in natural gas distribution systems (construction/maintenance, operations, and engineering/design), or a combination of education and experience
• Related work experience including field technician, meter inspector, station operator, controls technician, pipeline, and mechanical work is desirable
• Experience in a control room environment and managing SCADA system operations in the pipeline or natural gas industry preferred
• Basic knowledge of distribution operations including gate operations and pipeline hydraulics is helpful
• Must be able to manage stressful situations and effectively manage operations/emergencies occurring simultaneously while adjusting to multiple and changing priorities (multi-task), remaining flexible and open
• Ability to make decisions based on facts and sound judgment and to take the initiative to respond to changing conditions in the gas distribution system and the control room
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing and verbally
• Skill in using computers and related software applications including Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Access) PI Process Book, Lotus Notes databases, Clevest and SCADA
• Excellent customer service skills

 Our Commitment to Our Employees…  
Our people are the heart and soul of Colorado Springs Utilities.  They keep the lights on, gas flowing, water coming in, and wastewater leaving.  We do not just say people are important – we prove it!  That’s why we are honored to invest in protecting the health and financial security of our employees and their families through our rich benefits program.

• Time Off – Because everybody needs time off to recharge
  • Vacation – New employees accrue 13 days of paid time off to start, while our more tenured employees accrue 24 days per year
  • Personal Leave –3 days per year of personal leave
  • Paid Holidays –12 paid holidays per year
  • Sick Leave – Accrue 12 days of sick leave annually for those days when you or a family member is feeling under the weather
  • Vacation Buy – Purchase up to 40 hours of additional vacation time
• Pension Plan – Looking forward to a comfortable lifestyle once you’re done working? The Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA) provides you with retirement benefits and peace of mind when you retire 
• Medical – Select from three comprehensive medical plans, starting at $0 per month.  Employees also enjoy access to a Health Savings Account (HSA) and Flexible Spending Account (FSA). (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Wellness Program – Voluntary wellness program that allows you and your spouse to each earn up to $500 to use towards healthcare expenses, $100 in Visa gift cards, and up to $400 in gym membership reimbursements
• Dental – Select from two dental plans, with in-network PPO preventive care covered at 100% and access to orthodontia coverage (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Vision – Voluntary plan that covers full vision care services and discounts on LASIK eye surgery (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Retirement Saving Programs – Supplement your pension plan with voluntary retirement programs such as the PERAPlus 401(k) and MissionSquare’s Roth IRA and 457 plans
• Disability Coverage – Short-Term (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD) insurance available for purchase (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Makes the going a little easier by aiding with mental health, stress management, work-life balance, financial and legal matters, and much more
• Long-Term Care Insurance (LTC) – Whether it's due to an accident or a serious illness, LTC insurance is available for purchase to help you and your loved ones (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Life Insurance – Company-paid life insurance and supplemental coverage available (effective the 1st of the month following your start date)
• Tuition Reimbursement – Employees are eligible to receive up to $5,250 annually for Tuition Reimbursement
• Qualifying Public Service Employer – Payments made towards student loans may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program