Gas Controller

Job Description

Job Description

Our Gas Controller team work an alternating day and night shift schedule to accommodate a 24/7/365 Gas Control Operation, compliant with PHMSA CFR 192.631 Control Room Management expectations.

All shifts are worked in-office, from one of the Gas Control Rooms in either Portsmouth NH, Exeter NH, or Portland ME.

Our Company

More than a utility company, Unitil provides energy for life.

Our work helps keep homes comfortable, businesses thriving and communities connected. Unitil is an investor-owned public utility proudly serving Maine, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. We are dedicated to delivering energy to our customers safely and reliably. 

Unitil is committed to creating an inclusive environment that welcomes and values the differences among all of our employees, customers, suppliers and the communities in which we live and conduct business. The continued success of Unitil is enhanced through initiatives that promote diversity and value our employees. 

Take advantage of a comprehensive benefits package.

Unitil offers competitive salaries, a consumer-driven health plan, dental and vision coverage, flexible work, company-paid holidays, a, robust, highly competitive retirement plan and educational assistance.

*Note: Benefit offerings may differ between union and non-union employee groups.

Position Purpose:

This position is responsible for the operation and control of the Company’s gas transmission and distribution system; the managing of pipeline and peak shaving supplies; and assisting the Supervisor of Gas Control with various tasks and emergency and/or backup availability. The incumbent must ensure that the system is operated within the constraints of Federal, State and Company codes and standards as well tariff constraints for the receipt and control of the system supply.

Principal Accountabilities:

End Results

Monitoring and controlling of the gas pipeline systems and support of the processes related to market requirements for Unitil’s transmission and local distribution companies (LDC’s). Provide general control over confirming, scheduling, and balancing live gas operations. Interpret, organize and execute complex assignments. Coordinate live gas operations and emergency response.

• Operate Unitil’s natural gas transmission and distribution systems in a manner that maximizes safety, reliability, and efficiency of service to all the customers within the limits of the applicable Federal, State and Company codes and standards.
• Monitoring the company’s gas transmission and distribution system utilizing SCADA and respond to alarms by determining the most appropriate response which may include dispatching personnel.
• Monitor, respond to alarms, and manage supply of peak shaving facilities.
• Demonstrate proficiency in technical and non-technical software applications, including but not limited to Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Update the daily forecast, provided by Energy Contracts, of system demand to ensure sufficient supply for all customers.
• Assume primary coordinating responsibility for isolating portions of the gas system to ensure public safety in times of emergency, as well as for routine maintenance. This would include operational corrections within limits of control and coordination with field personnel.
• Provide and adjust volumes on a continuing basis, in conjunction with gas acquisitions, marketers and suppliers. 
• Maintain balancing at city gates and to affect change to meet daily and monthly goals within tolerances set by FERC tariffs.
• Accountable for the continual monitoring of all gas supplies utilizing the SCADA system, PC network and Pipeline Bulletin Boards (EBB’s). 
• Monitor EBB’s for operational restrictions and to make supply adjustments as necessary during Operational Flow Orders (OFO’s) in order to avoid penalty assesments. Actions would include procuring additional pipeline supply, restricting the use of gas to interruptible customers and/or utilization of peaking supplies.
• Provide confirmation for all scheduled gas supply to the city gates, including third party marketers, and provide notification to appropriate parties of any discrepancies.
• Responsible to call out and direct field personnel, and to contact government agencies during emergencies.

Maintain records, schedules and procedures as reqired to meet Federal, State, and Company codes and standards. Comply with tariff constraints for the receipt and control of system supply.

• Retreival of pertinent system data utilizing the SCADA system, confirming the data is correct and make changes as necessary to ensure accuracy.
• Ensure historical data logs are accurate and archived.
• Ensure nominations, scheduling and balancing reports are accurate, timely and archived including monthly gas control reporting.
• Organize, review and update policies, procedures, and reference material.

Acts as a support to the Supervisor of Gas Control

• Responsible to assist the Gas Control Supervisor with the training of all Gas Controller III individuals in all matters pertaining to the administration of policy and procedures, coordination of natural gas supplies, contracts, and storage inventory, along with all daily Gas Control functions and duties.
• Responsible to assist supervisor in preparation of monthly reports to ensure timely company and regulatory submission deadlines are met.
• Act as a liazon between Gas Control and Energy Contracts/Gas Scheduling personnel to ensure adequate gas supplies.
• Responsible for creatng mentoring programs and training new empoyee’s as assigned.
• Responsible for assisting Supervisor of Gas Control in backing up of Dispatch Analyst.
• Responsible for assisting Supervisor of Gas Control with various projects and assignments.
• Responsible for standing in as the Gas Control Supervisor during time off.
• Available off hours for emergency support of the Gas Controller on duty.

Qualifications: 

• Associate Degree in Business/Engineering Technology or equivalent, related educational background and/or 5 years work experience in a gas operations environment. 
• Requires strong analytical skills and attention to detail, working knowledge of personal computers and software including: word processing, excel spreadsheet, database and business applications. 
• Requires excellent verbal and written communications skills.
• Extensive knowledge of Unitil’s tranmission and distribution networks and their constraints in moving supplies from system to system through multiple interconnections and city gates.
• Must be familiar with nominations and confirmations procedures for scheduling pipeline gasses.
• Extensive knowledge of the operation of the SCADA system and how it interacts with the varied array of field equipment which it monitors and controls.
• Ability to analyze emergencies quickly and initiate correct response and/or corrective action.
• Knowledge of State and Federal codes, as well as Unitil procedures applicable to system operation.
• Operator Qualifications Certified within six months of start date for the following tasks:
• Must be able to perform their job under the pressure of emergency situations and time constraints.
• Inovative, drive for results, focus on the customer, adaptability, demonstrate and promote teamwork.
• This job is shift work and requires working a rotating 12-hour shift schedule.
• This position is a covered classification under the D.O.T. anit-drug program regulations. Candidates are required to pass a drug test on entry and subsequent random drug testing under the PHMSA drug pool.

This position requires availability outside of normal scheduled hours to maintain coverage during emergency conditions, planned and unplanned absences.

Unitil is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.