Line Rider at Kinder Morgan, Inc. in Concord, California

Job Description:

Position Description

Primary purpose: • The primary function of the Line Rider is to perform daily surveillance of the area pipeline system in order to protect and ensure the integrity of the pipeline system by avoiding third party damage. Essential duties and responsibilities: • Inspect the assigned area of the pipeline, either by vehicle or by foot, for leaks and other irregularities. • Checks and records equipment and rectifier readings as per a predetermined schedule. • Acts as liaison on behalf of the Company with public utility personnel, property owners and general contractors regarding construction projects within pipeline easement and Right-of-Way. • Recognizes the scope of work performed by third parties and also the limits of what third parties may and may not do on Company property or Right-of-Way in order to protect the pipeline. May stay and observe activity or be dispatched to another area as required. May assist in determining the need for additional Company inspectors. • Checks area for Underground Service Alerts (USA) and arranges meetings as necessary with contractors and others regarding digging procedures, etc. Some contacts may be satisfied by phone. May also assist in field delivery of legal notification to third parties. • Receives and physically checks out Line Flier reports in order to confirm irregularities and initiate requests for repair. • Completes all related paperwork and forms required in a timely manner. • Performs pipeline identification based on requests, including locating and marking lines. May use electronic locating equipment and/or a probe in conjunction with drawings to confirm pipeline location. May direct backhoe operator in location identification when same is used. • Installs permanent, metal post markers, or may use temporary marking methods such as paint marking and pin flagging pipeline. Replaces damaged or missing markers. • Determines when to pothole or expose pipeline for future work. Also determines whether to permit a third party to continue a project on Company property or Right-of-Way or to stop such activities in order to protect the pipeline. • Prepares "as-built" drawings of crossings and other construction. Assists in transferring crossing data onto Company drawings. • Completes required reports and notes activity by handwritten entry into a daily log. • Reviews pre-job conferences, meetings with outside agents, underground service contractors, utility personnel, etc. • Periodically will clean, buff and recoat pipe. • Repairs equipment such as electrical test stations (ETS) if needed at booster stations and various pipeline locations. • Upon hiring must obtain a Transportation Worker Identification Credential issued by Transportation Security Administration (TSA). • Consistently maintain and demonstrate a high regard for personal safety, for the safety of company assets and employees, and the general public. OTHER DUTIES • Performs other field operational duties as assigned. • Assist in training additional employees as directed or necessary. • Housekeeping as requested by management, participate in special projects and other assignments. • At Terminals where seasonal railcar off-loading is required, the Line Rider may perform off-loading duties full-time, during the off-loading season. Railcar offloading responsibilities include: o Off-loading between 8 and 12 rail cars each day, 5 days each week. o Accurate and up-to-date records for the railcars off loaded. o Performs complete railcar inspections to comply with FRA requirements o Places the appropriate chocks, rail signage and derails on the spur; connects the railcars to the offload pumping system; aligns the appropriate valves to deliver the offloaded product into the proper tankage o Confirms that the appropriate product quality documentation for each railcar is on hand, keeps accurate meter records of the amount of product delivered from each railcar and completes an inspection of each railcar prior to release. • Determines which tanks have adequate product space for the cars to be off-loaded, confirms meter ticket information with tank gauge and bill of lading information and responds to abnormal situations appropriately. The connection and disconnection of a railcar to the off load facility requires repeated climbing, lifting, pulling, pushing, squatting, kneeling and bending in various positions and locations.
Position Requirements

Minimum requirements: Education: • High School Diploma or equivalent required-Technical training and/or College a plus Experience / specific Knowledge: • One to three years experience in pipeline construction, maintenance, or operations environment is desirable. • Must pass and maintain all applicable Operator Qualification requirements • For railcar off-loading responsibilities, must become knowledgeable of Federal Railway Administration (FRA) regulations and procedures and ensure compliance in all off-loading activities. Certification, licenses, registrations: • A satisfactory driving record as determined by the Company and a current, valid State driver's license are mandatory. The ability to pass the Commercial Motor Vehicle physical is a requirement. • If applicable to the work location, satisfactorily obtaining or already possessing a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card is a condition of employment. TWIC card is obtained by submitting an application, background check, and having fingerprints taken. • If the employee is subject to license or certification requirements or training as stipulated by local, state or federal agencies or the Company, now or in the future, compliance is required under this job description. Competencies, skills, and abilities: • Strong verbal and written communications skills are required. Must be able to read and comprehend written documents, instructions and directions, as well as be able to accurately pass on information and instructions to co-workers. • Requires tact and diplomacy in dealing with outside parties, which must also be balanced by standing firm when company personnel, property or equipment needs to be protected. • Must be accountable and take direction from Managers; keep required work schedules, which include regular and predictable job attendance; focus attention on details; follow work rules. • Must be able to pass Operator Qualification requirements (OQ) • Basic computer proficiency in Microsoft applications (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook) is necessary in order to interface with company communication systems. • Must be self-motivated and capable of working with minimal supervision and/or direction. • Well-balanced interpersonal skills. Must be flexible and able to work effectively in a team environment and consistently maintain a professional and respectful demeanor/attitude with co-workers, clients, consultants, and representatives of various local, state and federal agencies. • In order to meet the various maintenance and general operational requirements, a mechanical aptitude is necessary. Physical demands: • Employee must be physically capable of completing and satisfying all training requirements as stipulated by local, state or federal agencies and/or Company Policy. • Rail car off loading is demanding physical work that requires working out doors in extreme weather conditions for long hours. • Work is performed outside in varying and sometimes extreme weather situations. • Inspection of pipeline may involve a variety of terrain, including open trenches of varying depths. Depending on upon the location assignment, walking the line may entail working around moderate to heavy traffic conditions when pipelines are located within public through streets. • Must be able to walk up to 5 miles a day, including to remote areas where footing may be unsteady. • Work is labor intensive at times and involves repetitive actions such as stooping, bending, squatting, walking, digging and lifting weights up to 80 pounds unassisted. Help should be secured for weight in excess of that amount. • Must be able to dig with a hand shovel to a depth of three feet. Some areas may require a great deal of manual probing to locate pipe which requires good physical strength, constant hand, arm and leg movements, often for extended periods. Uses all senses especially sight, hearing, and smell in observation and detection of irregularities. • Field activities may include walking to and amidst work and/or construction sites, climbing in and out of trenches, working around heavy equipment, negotiating rough terrain, areas of loose rock and working in confined spaces. • Must be capable of manually operating a block valve up to 24" in diameter. • Some locations may entail driving a vehicle for a substantial number of hours per day. Good driving skills required for both freeway and off road conditions. • Extended periods of sitting may be required for administrative activities. Working conditions: • Job entails call-outs on a 24-hour emergency basis and an ability to work long hours, weekends, nights and holidays, when required. • May be required to carry a cell phone and/or pager and respond to calls/pages in a timely manner 24/7. • Occasional overnight travel required. • Position subject to 24-hour call-out, including nights, weekends, and holidays. • Overtime required and extended work hours in cases of emergencies. • Typically will be required to work alone (unsupervised). • May be exposed to some refined oil products containing chemicals which may be related to certain types of illnesses or reproductive toxicity. Some emit vapors under certain conditions, are flammable and may be explosive under certain circumstances. • Exposure to smells and vapor associated with refined petroleum products. • Climatic conditions are determined by location assignment and may include severe seasonal changes including both winter conditions with frequent snow or extreme summer heat and sun, depending upon geographic location. Supervisory responsibility: • None Preferred education, experience, certifications, competencies, skills, and abilities: Above the minimum requirement; not required but advantageous in this position: • Construction management, excavation, trenching and shorting experience preferred. • Knowledge of various types of equipment used by outside contractors and other third parties in order to assess the impact of such work performed on Company property or Right-of-Way. • Must quickly become knowledgeable of all applicable federal and state relations, most notably, Part 195 of the Code of Federal Regulations. • Prior experience requiring mechanical aptitude and skill is a plus • Basic knowledge of cathodic protection • Knowledge of piping, valves and pressures • Knowledge of pipeline operations THE ABOVE STATEMENTS DESCRIBE THE GENERAL NATURE AND LEVEL OF WORK BEING PERFORMED. THIS POSITION MAY PERFORM OTHER DUTIES AS ASSIGNED.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.