Clearance Engineer III

Job Title : Clearance Engineer 3 and Senior

Job Code: 107717

Job Summary

As part of the Clearance Coordination Center within Gas Control, Clearance Engineers 1, 2, 3, and Senior positions are responsible to provide technical expertise and guidance to maintain and promote safety. Incumbents are expected to develop advanced skills and ability to work with greater independence and understanding of all NiSource gas transmission and distribution operations throughout the clearance process. Work may include: providing oversight to all field resources while supporting internal and external audits and administrative activities; developing analytical tools to evaluate clearance prioritization; coordinating activities with NiSource, upstream pipeline providers, and contractors to ensure adherence to key components of Gas Standards and all applicable Operational Notices; supporting NiSource’s simultaneous work avoidance efforts; designing and maintaining hydraulic models and simulations; and exercising independent judgment and discretion to ensure NiSource maintains situational awareness on all activities affecting its gas assets. Incumbents will use hydraulic models and technical tools to review concurrent work, supply positions, and real-time system conditions; support the review and revision process of all gas special instructions; and provide exceptional customer service for all NiSource LDCs while providing meaningful metrics and analytics to measure performance of all clearance center activities.

Clearance Engineer 3

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Execute clearance requests under normal and emergency conditions based on review of work requests and supporting records from NiSource and upstream supplier field personnel to determine whether and when to permit field maintenance/repairs/construction to begin, prioritize the order in which requests are granted, suspend, or modify a request that has been granted based on system-wide situational awareness

Design and improve hydraulic models ensuring all work activities, supply constraints, and applicable real-time conditions are accurately simulated to direct real-time work orders and clearance requests.

Enhance coordination between Upstream Suppliers, Gas Control, System Operations, and Field Engineers and review relevant documentation to coordinate potential outages

Continually improves, analyzes, and executes job related analytics and model runs to support NiSource’s simultaneous work avoidance efforts

Develop underlying assumptions, demonstrate an extensive understanding of system dynamics, prepare and synthesize scenarios, and evaluate results extracted from hydraulic system models

Lead project management for assigned projects, initiatives, and the development and maintenance of a SCADA twin to train and support Operator Qualification of Gas Controllers and analyze clearance requests’ impact based on system conditions

Evaluate and maintain the continuous improvement of process, safety, and gas standards

Enhance key partnerships and influence individuals with Field Engineering, System Operations, Gas Control, upstream suppliers, contractors, and other departments

Support or lead special project initiatives including project management, winter preparedness reviews, outages and emergency response, compliance audits, and regulatory and management data requests

Support and perform functions of Clearance Coordinators to maintain Clearance Center’s responsiveness

Coach and develop junior team members and mentor other professionals and represent department in the absence of the Leader or Manager

All other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications for Position

Graduate from a four year ABET accredited program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or four year ABET accredited program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology Advanced in engineering/technical theories and principles

3 years of experience in the gas utility industry or natural gas operations

Advanced in basic practices of researching technical issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations

Ability to read, write and interpret technical plans, processes, and procedures

Demonstrated leadership experience over complex programs or projects

Ability to perform duties effectively under emergency and contingency situations

Experience in providing support to commission audits and inquiries or similar experience

Preferred Qualifications for Position

Advanced understanding and experience with principles of project management

Desired engineering disciplines include civil, mechanical, electrical, petroleum, and industrial

Engineer in Training certificate or Professional Engineer

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in high profile and fast paced environment

Demonstrated experience in operational process design

Strong knowledge of safety and compliance requirements

Demonstrated problem solving skills and capacity to make decisions among various alternatives and communicate to all stakeholders

Demonstrated experience manipulating and analyzing data in software applications such as Excel, Access, SCADA, Synergi, j5, Tableau, Power BI and/or similar

Senior Clearance Engineer

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Demonstrate subject matter expertise, sophistication, and advanced critical thinking to mitigate risk and design and improve hydraulic models ensuring all work activities, supply constraints, and applicable real-time conditions are accurately simulated to direct real-time work orders and clearance requests.

Continually improve and execute job related analytics and model runs to support NiSource’s simultaneous work avoidance efforts

Develop underlying assumptions, demonstrate an extensive understanding of system dynamics, and evaluate and synthesize recommendations extracted from hydraulic system models

Execute clearance requests under normal and emergency conditions based on review of work requests and supporting records from NiSource and upstream supplier field personnel to determine whether and when to permit field maintenance/repairs/construction to begin, prioritize the order in which requests are granted, suspend, or modify a request that has been granted based on system-wide situational awareness

Oversee the coordination between Upstream Suppliers, Gas Control, System Operations, and Field Engineers

Lead and originate company-wide projects, continuous improvement initiatives, and the development and maintenance of a SCADA twin to train and support Operator Qualification of Gas Controllers and analyze clearance requests’ impact based on system conditions

Create, evaluate, revise, and maintain the continuous improvement of processes, safety, and gas standards

Build key partnerships with Field Engineering, System Operations, Gas Control, upstream suppliers, contractors, and other departments

Lead special project initiatives including project management, winter preparedness reviews, outages and emergency response, compliance audits, and regulatory and management data requests.

Exercise independent judgement to write and/or edit technical plans, processes, and procedures

Coach, develop, and mentor other professionals, and regularly represent department in the absence of the Leader or Manager

All other duties as assigned

Required Qualifications for Position

Graduate from a four year ABET accredited program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering or four year ABET accredited program with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology

Expert in engineering/technical theories and principles

5 years of experience in the gas utility industry or natural gas operations

Expert in basic practices of researching technical issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting recommendations

Expert in practices and researching technical plans, processes, and procedures

Expert written and oral communication skills

Demonstrated leadership over complex programs and projects

Demonstrated leadership under emergency and contingency situations

Demonstrated direct interface to provide support to commission audits and inquiries or similar experience

Preferred Qualifications for Position

Expert in principles of project management

Desired engineering disciplines include civil, mechanical, electrical, petroleum, and industrial

Engineer in Training certificate or Professional Engineer

Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in high profile and fast paced environment

Extensive knowledge of safety and compliance requirements

Demonstrated problem solving skills and capacity to make decisions among various alternatives and communicate to all stakeholders

Demonstrated proficiency manipulating and analyzing data in software applications such as Excel, Access, SCADA, Synergi, Access, j5, Tableau, Power BI and/or similar

Disclaimer

The preceding description is not designed to be a complete list of all duties and responsibilities required of the position.

Work Authorization

Authorized to work in the United States without requiring sponsorship.

Inclusion & Diversity

Value inclusion within your day to day responsibilities by respecting others perspectives/convictions, engaging others opinions, creating a safe environment where people, ideas, and opinions are valued within your Team/Customers and external partners.

Respect and take into consideration diversity within your Team/Customers and external work partners by valuing different world views, challenges, and cultures that represent all walks of life and all backgrounds.

Treat others with respect and consideration. Actively participate in creating and contributing to a positive work environment.

Equal Employment Opportunity

NiSource is committed to providing equal employment opportunities in each of its companies to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, veteran status, disability, gender, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, sex (including pregnancy, lactation, childbirth or related medical conditions), genetic information, citizenship status, or any protected group status as defined by law. Each employee is expected to abide by this principle.

By applying, you may be considered for other job opportunities.

Safety Statement

Promote a safe work environment by actively participating in all aspects of our employee safety program. Report any unsafe conditions and take actions to prevent personal injuries. Support our interdependent safety culture by ensuring the safety of your co-workers. Stay focused on the task at hand and promote productivity through good work habits.

Salary Range:

$91,000.00 – $136,600.00

Posting Start Date:

2024-09-30

Posting End Date (if applicable):

2024-10-14

Please note that the job posting will close on the day before the posting end date.

At NiSource, youll be part of the team serving nearly four million customers throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic, who count on us to energize their homes and businesses. Whether speaking with customers by phone, analyzing financial data or installing new gas lines in a neighborhood, you’ll meet exciting challenges each day and make the most of your skills and talents. And you’ll be part of a company that was named by Forbes magazine as one of America’s Best Large Employers.

Were looking for talent from all backgrounds. We invite candidates of all abilities to come as they are and do what they love. Through our years of successful growth, we’ve stayed true to our roots by making a difference in the lives of millions of our customers. If you’re interested in joining an inclusive, innovative company that fosters opportunity for growth, NiSource might be the place for you.