Supervisor Gas Control

Job Description

The Supervisor Gas Control leads, directs and supervises the Gas Control Center.  Works with internal and external groups to support the safe, reliable, compliant and cost effective operation of the natural gas system.

The Gas Control Center is a 24/7 real-time operation that monitors, operates and controls PSE’s natural gas distribution system, responsible for load forecasting and coordinating real time gas system activities, and ensuring safe operation of the gas system, adequate supply, and adequate pressures at all points on the system.

Responsible for gas safety compliance work and compliance with PSE’s Gas Operating Standards and Gas Field Procedures when engaged in operating, maintaining, constructing or engineering PSE’s natural gas system. 

Upholds the safety compliance standards inherent in PSE’s operating and/or field procedures related to work responsibilities. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety. Demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our core values and Code of Conduct.  Ensures duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.

This job is considered “safety sensitive” as defined in RCW 49.44.240 and is subject to pre-employment drug screening that includes screening for the presence of marijuana and marijuana metabolites.

Job Responsibilities

• Employee Safety, Development & Team Building - Provides employees with coaching, feedback, and developmental opportunities and builds effective teams:
  • Demonstrates a passion for safety. Promotes and supports a culture of total safety including eliminating at-risk behaviors by conducting safety audits and inspections, eliminating hazards and near misses, and attending safety meetings.
  • Sets clear expectations and holds employees accountable for performance as well as safety goals/targets where applicable.
  • Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions. Ensures required training is successfully completed.
  • Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results. 
  • Accountable to ensure employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements, as well as safety standards. 
  • Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.
  • Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to team members in order to achieve employee, business, customer, and safety results.
• Responsible for gas control operations to ensure proper control of pressures and flow of gas throughout the system. Coordinates activities of gas controllers to ensure that the PSE natural gas system is operated in a safe, compliant and reliable manner in accordance with PHMSA (Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration) and WAC (Washington Administrative Code) regulations, Operator Qualification requirements and PSE’s Gas Operating Standards. 
• Staffs the control center with qualified individuals to ensure 24/7 monitoring of the natural gas system for abnormal operating conditions, anticipating system conditions requiring action, and providing appropriate response to those conditions. 
• Supervises the gas controllers in managing load forecasting, after-hours balancing of the pipeline, and assessing probable effects of weather. Provides guidance and direction, when necessary, during system or resource emergencies and other abnormal system or resource conditions.  
• Assists with creation, review and management of departmental budgets.
• Responsible for the maintenance and analysis of daily gas control data and reports. Analyzes and determines best practice methods for reporting data, including economic, procedural, regulatory and other impacts on the organization. 
• Works independently on diverse and demanding projects; plans and implements new programs; keeps informed of advances in utility and business technology.  
• Maintains effective relationships with neighboring operators, such as Williams Northwest Pipeline, and may represent PSE at associated meetings with external entities.
• Assists with issues relating to Gas Control, serving as the liaison with external entities and other PSE departments. Participates in compliance activities, including audits and reporting.
• Acts as liaison between the Gas Control Center and PSE’s merchant function.
• Audits, reviews and submits reports requested by DOT (Department of Transportation) and WUTC (Washington Utilities and Trade Commission), as well as other operators in the region.
• Provides input and recommendations associated with system projects or initiatives to enhance the overall efficiencies within the Gas Control Center.
• Maintains positive and helpful working relationships with related departments and field operations leadership. 
• Participates in cross-functional teams in both leadership and participant roles to develop appropriate solutions for PSE needs.
• On call 24/7 to respond to system emergencies and other events as necessary. Participates in emergency response efforts.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• 5 years utility/business experience in natural gas operations or related; with 3 years comprehensive knowledge of gas control center.
• Must obtain Gas Control Operator Qualification within two years of hire date.
• Experience leading people and/or projects.
• Strong negotiating, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Management skills, including the ability to organize, prioritize and evaluate work as well as the ability to supervise and direct staff. 
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with a wide variety of individuals and groups. 

Desired Qualifications

• BA/BS degree in engineering discipline, business or other related field. 
• Thorough knowledge of PSE’s gas SCADA system.
• Thorough knowledge of gas measurement theory, chromatography, gas quality determination, metering, odorization, regulation, overpressure protection, nominations, curtailment, entitlement, billing, distribution system operations, pipeline operations, federal, state and local regulations, and the effects of these on the organization, suppliers, and customers. 
• General knowledge of weather and load forecasting, load balancing.

Additional Information