Staff Specialist Engineering Gas Transmission

Summary

Under general direction, the Staff Specialist– Gas Transmission performs analysis, design and specifications, material procurement requests, construction bidding, construction management and support, project management, and record completion data to complete complex modernization, public and system improvement, new business, and measurement/regulator station projects for gas transmission pipelines within CenterPoint Energy.  Determines work scope, right-of-way and permitting requirements, develops and monitors project schedule, and provides regular updates to maintain data in the asset management and geographical information systems that result from capital projects, impacting CenterPoint Energy asset data. Communicates project needs and status with internal or external customers. 

Provides input on future-year budget projections and identify System Improvement opportunities.  Looks for and recommends process improvements for departmental processing of the engineering, design, and construction processes.  This specialist coordinates projects with contract engineering firms and reviews results with the Engineering Manager.  This specialist coordinates approvals with the Engineering Manager.

Essential Duties:

• Under general direction, on-time manage assignments and projects from inception to completion.
• Expand knowledge and understanding of DOT/PHMSA rules and company engineering, construction, and O&M standards.
• Continue to enhance relationships, resolve conflicts, and coordinate with internal/external customers and contractors.
• Meet customer’s needs and expectations in a timely manner.  Work flexible hours when required to meet critical deadlines.  Achieve annual performance objectives established with manager.  Manage paper and electronic documents in accordance with company policies and standards. 
• Recognize and report data/process anomalies.
• Provide mentoring to other Engineers, Specialists, and Technicians.
• Process customer requests and create necessary work orders. 
• Perform tasks to track and complete work orders.
• Communicate with customers, visit customer and work sites, make sketches/drawings for work orders, develop work scopes, cost estimates and schedules, design pipeline routes and facilities, requisition material, request permitting, request right-of-way easements, review/authorize invoice payments, communicate and coordinate activities with Field Operations, supply equipment data, and create/process billing orders as needed to facilitate completion of projects.
• Complete appropriate tasks as scheduled in response to internal and external customer demands including providing computer aided drafting (CAD) services, report generation, and data querying.  Assist with GIS land base updates related to work or as directed.  Help with the development, revision, and documentation of transmission design and construction standards.

Essential Functions:

• Manage assigned projects through completion to achieve budgetary and business objectives.
• Coordinate system issues with Gas System Planning and Gas Control groups.
• Report on progress throughout the life of the assignment/project.  Identify, secure, and manage resources (internal or external) required to complete assignments/projects.
• Establish remote field offices and resources to meet the needs of the project construction process.  Write bid specifications for engineering design work for consulting engineering.
• Write bid specifications for construction contracts and bid/show the projects.  Evaluate bids and determine best value for engineering and construction activities.
• Oversee construction inspectors and the contractor’s construction.  Complete as-built work-order documents to satisfy Company and regulatory requirements.
• Possess the necessary level of knowledge and skills in Geographical Information Systems/CAD.  Geographic Information Systems and Computer-Aided Drafting/Design applications.  Enterprise Asset Management Systems. Enterprise Asset Management systems used to organize asset data and manage construction/operations/maintenance activities performed on assets.  Fixed Asset Management System. Fixed asset/plant accounting systems (such as PowerPlant) used to track units of property and associated costs.
• Design and develop cost estimates for gas system capital or maintenance projects.  Understand, analyze, and drive improvements to work processes.
• Compliance with CNP policies and procedures and local, state, and federal regulations.
• Research, quantify, organize, and report asset and business data.  Financial Management Processes & Systems.
• Application of knowledge, skills and techniques to execute projects effectively and efficiently while meeting time and budget requirements.
• Functional/Technical Competency Requirements:  Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Project).  Must exhibit solid analytical skills, problem solving abilities, reasoning skills, organization skills, multitasking skills and communications skills.  Knowledge of gas/electric distribution /transmission system design, standards, and codes.  Considerable construction management and project management skills.

Education Description

Requires a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university.

In lieu of the degree, may substitute equivalent combination of education and experience such as three years credited toward a related bachelor’s degree and two years of relevant experience.  Every two years of experience is equivalent to one year of education.

Experience

Requires a minimum of eight years experience in utility design or related project construction design.

Physical Requirements

Working Conditions