Gas Utility Engineer

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).
• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.
• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays
• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)
• Choice of retirement plan:
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plan:Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history years of service and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.
  • Defined Contribution 401a Plan:Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account which are invested and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year 67% after two years and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.
• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan
• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees.For additional details please refer to the Benefits tab within this posting or visit the CitysEmployee Benefits webpage.

Note:This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of Continuous. If interested in being considered an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Plans organizes coordinates directs and reviews the design and installation of all gas projects and the development of material specifications.
• Prepares reviews and verifies design requirements and compliance including with new construction replacement and/or relocation.
• Supervises directs coaches motivates and evaluates the performance of assigned staff. Hires and trains staff coordinates and monitors work activities and administration of disciplinary action and in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures.
• Provides technical expertise and assistance with complex problems/situations.
• Prepares specifications and participates in obtaining bids for gas projects and evaluating and selecting of contractors.
• Oversees all regulatory compliance with PHMSA the State Corporation Commission (SCC) and state and local codes; serves as the subject matter expert and primary point of contact for audits inspections and requests for information from PHMSA SCC FERC legal counsel suppliers and others as appropriate regarding natural gas issues.
• Oversees the inspection of all gas installations for compliance to Federal State and Local standards.
• Oversees standard operating procedures and implementation of O&M standards.
• Oversees the preparation of inventories and maps of the Public Utilities system including GIS and CAD operations.
• Develops and implements system improvement priorities. Conducts ongoing management evaluation improvement and implementation of the Distribution Integrity Management Program.
• Manages the Operator Qualification Program determining appropriate training content and evaluation criteria for staff.
• Meets with developers customers and contractors local and state officials to plan new installations and improvements and provides technical advice.
• Works with various City Departments developers other state and local agencies (Virginia Department of Transportation Albemarle County etc.) to facilitate the permitting and installation of all natural gas utility projects.
• Performs contract and project management providing direction to contractors regarding performance and service delivery.
• Performs gas flow analysis through computer modeling.
• Oversees the maintenance and repair of specialized equipment such as telemetering devices and leakage indicators.
• Develops and enforces material installation and product standards.
• Develops and implements strategies for the purchase and supply of natural gas.
• Procures third-party gas from brokers and producers at the lowest possible cost to the City.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations relating to both suppliers and the Citys rate structure.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department to produce an annual rate study.
• Monitors gas purchases both from suppliers and by the Citys customers.
• Subject to being called in to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment tools and other resources including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education and Experience:Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelors degree from an ABET accredited college with major work in mechanical or natural gas engineering AND at least 1 year of experience in the natural gas or petroleum industry including thorough knowledge and experience in regulatory and gas supply and procurement issues.

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

• Within one year of employment must possess an Engineer in Training (EIT) certification (Professional Engineers (PE) license preferred).
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Drivers license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal state and local regulations.
• Subject to federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

• Thorough knowledge of Federal State and Local laws relating to gas service.
• Thorough knowledge of the theories principles and practices of mechanical engineering as applied to gas utility.
• Thorough knowledge of gas supply and procurement principles.
• Thorough knowledge of the materials and equipment utilized in gas service installations.
• Thorough knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis cost studies and rate design issues.
• General knowledge of the regulatory and supply framework of the natural gas industry.
• General knowledge of procurement negotiating contracts and contract management.

• Advanced: Ability to read understand and interpret regulations laws complex technical plans and specifications multi-step instruction manuals reference materials and legal documents. Ability to incorporate information into project planning and management.

• Advanced: Ability to organize and develop clear and concise complex written materials and reports such as plan/design of complex projects and documents including idea/inception research specifications drawings development contracts and monitoring. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex information and ideas.

• Advanced: ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables. Ability to perform difficult engineering computations and to make comprehensive recommendations to engineering problems.

• Advanced:Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers subordinates management other City Departments elected officials state agencies contractors vendors and others. Must communicate complex technical information to a variety of customers. Recommends policy development and implementation and communicates current and revised policies. May involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates effectiveness develops cooperative associations and utilizes resources to continuously improve communications.

• Requires Administrative Direction: normally completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. Overall results determine job performance.

• Advanced: high level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications AutoCAD ESRI ArcGIS and other departmental systems/software.

• Coordinates with Finance Department to produce annual rate study.
• Oversees costly complex projects and/or programs. Has responsibility for monitoring forecasting and reporting on project budgets contract expenditures and preparing cost estimates; approving budgetary items within established guidelines.

• Supervises and monitors performance for a regular group of employees. Responsible for hiring discipline work objectives/goals performance evaluation and work assignments of assigned staff.

• Organization and time management skills sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Sound independent judgment in fast-paced and potentially stressful situations.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule and/or emergency response.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift carry push pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to move about in an office and at construction sites with potentially uneven terrain.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

• Most work is conducted in a standard office environment with exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time monitor glare and dust. Some inspection and liaison work must be conducted off-site and at sites typically of utilities construction/repair which may have exposure to inclement weather uneven terrain in or around moving mechanical parts in or around roadways dust and fumes. Noise level varies depending on work site.
• The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat safety vest steel-toe shoes etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race color creed religion national origin ancestry citizenship status age sex or gender (including pregnancy childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions) gender identity or expression (including transgender status) sexual orientation marital status military service and veteran status physical or mental disability genetic information or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment hiring placement promotion transfer training compensation benefits employee activities access to facilities and programs and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at or .

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks reference checks and pre-employment drug tests in accordance with federal state and local law of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection Citys policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the Citys policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.