Gas Pressure Regulator Technician

• For a general summary of benefits offered by the City, please click the 'benefits' tab on this posting, or visit https://www.charlottesville.gov/1047/Employee-Benefits.

• The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, the City has a Portability Agreement with VRS and there are certain provisions that must be met. If questions pertaining to the Portability Agreement, please contact the City's Benefits Administrator at 434-970-3462.

• Repairs, restores, tests, sets, and installs gas pressure regulators and devices.
• Inspects and maintains regulator stations, key values, system values, high- and low-pressure gas line valves, main-on structure, feeder line easement, and other related devices.
• Ensures appropriate, accurate, record-keeping and completion of written reports in compliance with, and for audits conducted by, the State Corporation Commission. 
• Checks gas pressure readings at low pressure spots in system.
• Makes high pressure taps on gas lines.
• Installs and relocates gas meter sets, commercial meters and regulators.
• Performs house piping and meter moves on an as-needed basis.
• Maintains inventory of regulators and regulator parts.
• Performs annual patrolling of main feeder lines between gate stations; checks all meter setups online for leaks, regulator pressures, or servicing and maintains records; assists with yearly cleanup of right-of-way of line.
• Performs quarterly and yearly inspections on key valves, regulator stations, and mains on structure.
• Collects and updates correction factors for metering.
• Draws sketches of gas main and service connections.
• Prepares work order forms and related documentation for repairs.
• Records all new or discontinued high pressure meter setups and records.
• Checks emergency gas leaks.
• Maintains service vehicle, keeping truck and all tools clean, usable and in their appropriate location, and vehicle stocked with equipment and supplies that are used on a regular basis.
• Provide timely and effective communication to other departmental staff, direct supervisor, and departmental leadership when pressure issues arise that could impact the services provided or could result in the unexpected disruption of service.
• Responds to natural gas potential pressure emergencies after hours.
• Subject to Standby Call to work in weather and non-weather-related emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time. 
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

• High school diploma or GED, AND at least 3 years of experience in gas maintenance service.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check, pre-employment drug screen, and pre-employment physical.
• Valid Virginia Driver’s License and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must be able to obtain, and maintain, a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) within 6 months of hire.
• Must complete and maintain DOT Operator Qualification program for appropriate covered tasks including use of Combustible Gas Indicator and flame pack.
• Must obtain and maintain certification for plastic pipe fusion and Mueller Tapping Equipment operation.
• Must complete and maintain Operator Qualification (OQ) testing as required by the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state, and local regulations.
• Subject to federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.

• Thorough knowledge of the safe methods and practices used when working with gas lines, high pressure meters and related devices. 
• Thorough knowledge of the equipment and materials used in gas work. 
• Knowledge of characteristics of natural gas.
• Thorough knowledge of Virginia damage prevention laws and regulations.
• Thorough knowledge of pipe filling.
• General knowledge of construction.
• Thorough knowledge of the occupational hazards and safety precautions of the work and equipment.

• Intermediate: ability to read and understand written materials such as newspapers, magazines, journals, multi-step instruction manuals, and reference materials.  Works from blueprints/design plans.

• Intermediate: ability to organize data and write clear and concise detailed records and reports, business letters, explanations, and summaries with proper format, punctuation, spelling, and grammar, using all parts of speech.

• Intermediate: ability to work with and understand number systems; simple formulas, practical application of fractions, percentages, ratios/proportions and measurement. 

• Basic: provides basic information to and interacts with others outside direct reporting relationships on procedures or general policies. Contact may require the consideration of different points of view to reach understanding and gain cooperation and acceptance of ideas. Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with co-workers, city officials, contractors, and the general public.

• Requires Limited Direction: normally completes work according to their own judgment, requesting supervisory assistance occasionally. Special projects are managed with little oversight and assignments may be reviewed upon completion. Performance reviewed periodically.

• Skilled: comprehensive, practical knowledge of a technical field with use of analytical judgment and decision-making abilities appropriate to the assigned and apparent job responsibilities. Demonstrates master level use of specialized tools and equipment across a wide range of applications. Intermediate skill in Microsoft Office applications and/or departmental software.

• No budgetary/fiscal responsibilities.

• No responsibility for direction or supervision of others.

• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule, which may include evenings, holidays, and weekends.
• May require emergency response.
• May require dealing with angry, frustrated and/or upset individuals.

• Heavy Work: Exerting up to 100 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 50 pounds of force frequently, and/or up to 25 pounds of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Typically requires use of specialized tools and equipment used in gas pipe fitting; standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.  

• Work is performed in an outside environment with exposure to weather conditions, hazardous physical conditions such as mechanical parts, hazardous chemicals, atmospheric conditions such as fumes, odors, dusts, and gases, and extreme temperatures. 
• Noise level may be loud.
• The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

Salary : $54,600 - $71,760