Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affect nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers.
To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans.
Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.
Field Investigator (Public Utilities Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator)
Service Monitoring & Enforcement Department (SMED)
Facility and Operations Field Division (FOFD)
Hourly Rate: $33.52
About The Service Monitoring & Enforcement Department:
The Service Monitoring and Enforcement Department’s (SMED) mission is to enforce consumer safeguards, to resolve consumer complaints and to ensure Ohio utility consumers receive safe and reliable services. SMED is organized into three divisions.
Facility Operations Field Division (FOFD)
Facility Operations Field Division (FOFD) staff regularly inspects utility facilities and reviews plant operating practices to ensure regulated utility service providers deliver safe, reliable and quality service. Field investigators from the division's electric, telephone, water/wastewater and gas pipeline safety sections perform on-site inspections and audit company records to ensure utilities observe regulatory requirements. FOFD staff also participates in rate case proceedings and recommends changes in company policies and practices to improve utility service. FOFD staff also acts as the agency lead for the damage prevention complaint reporting and tracking process; assisting with the maintenance of the damage prevention enforcement database; and answering internal and public inquiries.
What You'll Do:
The Gas Pipeline Safety team at the PUCO is responsible for enforcing federal and state pipeline safety regulations. We work in partnership with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
In this position as a Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator, you will be a field-based employee responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and conducting independent field audits and inspections with gas utilities. Inspections include:
You will also be assigned to investigate natural gas related incidents and complaints.
The position will involve learning and applying federal and state pipeline safety regulations to various company records and facilities to determine whether the company is complying with the regulations. Some inspections are performed as part of a team, but most inspections are performed independently.
This position will be based in northeast Ohio and most assignments will be in that part of the state but occasional assignments requiring overnight stays in other parts of the state are possible. Travel to Columbus will also be required throughout the year for meetings at the PUCO headquarters in downtown Columbus. The position will also require the successful completion of several training courses at PHMSA’s training facility in Oklahoma City, OK during the first 3 years in the position. A state vehicle will be assigned for work related travel within in the state.
The selected candidate must reside in or relocate to Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, Mahoning, or Trumbull County areas.
Salary Information: Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary is set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases, successful employees will increase a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year. In addition, the State of Ohio offers cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of public service, and wellness incentives.
Why Work for the State of Ohio
At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:
*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.
5 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; 1 course or 3 mos. trg. in general management; 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in public relations; valid driver's license.
-Or 5 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector & successful completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.
-Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering; valid driver's license.
-Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; successful completion of seven basic Transportation Safety Institute courses in gas pipeline safety; valid driver's license.
-Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector; completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.
-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Job Skills: Utilities
Applications must clearly indicate how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by information provided in the work experience and/or education sections on your civil service application. If you have attached supporting documents in the past, you must make them relevant on your current application. If you don’t demonstrate how, you meet minimum qualifications in the supplemental questions, your application may be disqualified from consideration.
Selection devices, proficiency testing, and/or assessments may be used to determine if an applicant meets and is proficient in the minimum qualifications for this position. If you are applying for the same classification within a six-month period, your previous score from the selection instrument (interview, proficiency test, and/or assessment) may be carried forward for consideration.
ADA StatementOhio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.
Drug-Free WorkplaceThe State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.