Position Description

This is a great opportunity if you have a strong background working with heavy equipment and you don’t mind being away from home each week.  Our pipeliners are paid for their travel time when working out of town, leading to over 40% overtime most weeks, which turns our competitive hourly wages of $33.27 to $46.99 into a great annual income. This position also includes a discretionary annual incentive plan. Job level and pay commensurate with experience and skill set including licensing, certifications and experience. This is a great career if already have your CDL or you interested in getting your CDL in addition to having experience operating heavy equipment in the Pipeline Construction or Pipeline Services field.  To be considered for our Pipeline Specialist position click on Apply Now to sign in or create an account to upload your resume.

As a Heavy Equipment Operator on one of our Pipeline Project Support (PPS) crews you will have the Kinder Morgan job title of Pipeline Specialist.  Pipeline Specialists work with Welders, and crew labor support contractors on anomaly digs, pressure testing pipelines, and other planned and emergent work on Kinder Morgan locations and pipelines including Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP), Southern Natural Gas (SNG), and Products (liquids).  Daily responsibilities include performing all phases of mobilizing, operating and maintaining heavy excavation equipment, including but not limited to hydrovac truck, backhoe, excavator, track loader/skid steer, dozer and forklift.  This is a hands-on position working with and operating heavy equipment to test, join and repair tubular products and metallic pipe components, valves and assemblies.

Pipeline Specialists are part of Kinder Morgan's Pipeline Project Support (PPS) business unit working on Natural Gas, Products and CO2 pipelines.  This position is based out of our Albany Warehouse near Albany, NY located at NE IND PARK BLDG 2, DOCK 20, RT 146, GUILDERLAND CENTER, NY  12085.  In addition to Kinder Morgan’s completive wages we offer a robust benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, two retirement plans, paid holidays, and paid time off.    Kinder Morgan is one of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America.

 Position Description:    

Operate and maintain a hydrovac truck proficiently. Coordinate and complete hydrovacing tasks on projectsPerform hydrovac truck maintenance tasksPerform all phases of mobilizing, operating and maintaining heavy excavation equipment (hydrovac truck, backhoe, track hoe, side boom, dozer, and skid steer) to include excavation frequently on in service pipelines.Operate large truck and trailer hauling equipment required to transport heavy work equipment or project materials to job site.Daily responsibilities include but are not limited to operating a hydrovac truck and heavy equipment, excavating in service pipelines with heavy equipment, assisting with pipe replacements, hot tapping and stopple equipment, pigging operations, pipe cleaning (internal and external), pipe fabrication, pipe recoating and hydrostatic testing. Incumbent may be required to lead others, train, develop training, ensure compliance, supply financial input, scope projects and oversee the supervision of contractors and contract workers.This position also develops work plans and manages contractor construction crews that perform work on Kinder Morgan company assets and facilities.This position reports to a Pipeline Support Crew Lead to ensure consistency and assurance of work performed in compliance with governmental and company policies and procedures.Perform coating removal, surface preparation and the application of coating systems including 3M Scotch-Cote 323, Denso Protal and Specialty Polymer Coating SP 2888.Installation of “Clock-Spring / Armor-Wrap” for repair on loaded pipelines.Perform excavation observer and spotter tasks.Perform trouble-shooting and valve maintenance on DOT mainline isolation valves.Calibrate and maintain a holiday detector for coating application inspection.Perform pressure tests of pipelines and fabrications.Design and review pressure test plans per pipe and material specifications.Locate and mark pipelines with pipeline locating equipment, probe rods or by hand digging with shovel using drawings and alignment sheets for reference.Repair pig launcher and receivers, closures and install pig signals.Repair shorted pipeline casings and install CP test points on pipelines.Prepare pipelines for full encirclement sleeves for anomaly repairs.Coordinate pipeline segment replacements including helping develop the shut out plan.Evacuate, purge and load pipelines; operate pipeline air-movers to evacuate gas lines during hot work operations.Set up portable gas compressors and operate air compressors.Perform basic Oxy-acetylene cutting and beveling operations.Perform duties of a welder helper as needed.There is weekly paid travel to and between Kinder Morgan locations and pipelines including: Tennessee Gas Pipeline (TGP), Southern Natural Gas (SNG), and Products (liquids).  May also assist with:Launching, monitoring and receiving pipeline pigs and developing pipeline pigging plans.Conducting internal pipeline cleaning or pigging operations utilizing internal pipe cleaning equipment.Disassembling meter tubes and performing internal meter tube cleaning.

Position Requirements

Education:

High school diploma or equivalent is required.

 Experience/Specific Knowledge:

Five or more years of experience in all phases of Pipeline construction, maintenance and repair to include equal experience in operating and maintaining heavy excavation equipment including hydrovac truck, backhoe, excavator, side boom, dozer, and maintainer. 

 Certifications/Licenses:

Must possess and maintain a valid CDL driver license or obtain a valid CDL driver license within 6 months on the job.Maintain a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.

 Competencies, Skills, and Abilities:

Must have the ability to read and interpret engineering construction blueprints for both pipeline and compressor station projects.Individual must follow all safety, environmental and regulatory policies so tasks and assignments are completed in a safe and environmentally responsible manner, ensuring proper handling and disposition of hazardous waste.Knowledge of both OSHA safety regulations and DOT pipeline regulationsStrong mechanical skills and knowledge of heavy equipment maintenance proceduresAbility to troubleshoot and maintain natural gas and products plant equipment, pumps, exchangers, compressors, and related auxiliary equipment.Ability to operate heavy pipeline excavation equipment including large trucksAbility to read and interpret various company policies and procedures, Operations & Maintenance (O&M) manual and blueprints.Ability to respond in a timely manner to any emergency or after-hours calls.Good communication skills - must be able to interface effectively with many internal and external customers, regulatory officials, company contacts, co-workers and 3rd party contractors.Basic computer skills (knowledge of MS Office, operating systems, company software if applicable), trainable to custom software applications.Basic math skills (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, decimals)Focused on internal and external customer serviceAbility to work with a team, take direction from supervisors and construction inspectors, with focused attention on details, work rules, and adherence to required project work schedules.This individual will be responsible for administrative tasks including ordering and receiving required replacement parts, completing personal timesheets and expense accounts, and maintaining a company vehicle.This position requires acting as a company representative when interacting with contractors and vendors.Typical work schedule is Monday through Thursday, ten hours per day and will likely involve overtime.The position requires a significant amount of overnight travel to support operation areas throughout the company, working other than normal hours, overtime, schedule changes, and the ability to respond to call-outs.Promote and embody Kinder Morgan Core Values.

 Physical Demands:

This position requires manual dexterity and visual acuity, as well as the ability to:

Lift, pull, push, and carry up to 50 lbs.Exert up to 100 lbs. of physical force.Stand, walk, kneel, bend, and squat for extended periods of time.Twist head and back for extended periods of time.Work in areas classified as confined space.Climb and work from ladders, catwalks, staging, and platforms.Ascend and descend slopes and ditches.Work with hands above head, lying on back.Work in adverse weather and/or extreme temperature conditions.

 Working Conditions:

The individual will normally be working outdoors, in a pipeline construction type of environment.Must be available for callouts 24/7, except during company-sponsored paid time off.Must possess and maintain a valid CDL driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the company and its insurers.This position requires extensive travel and overnight stays are frequent with work away from the reporting location required up to 75% of the time.The successful candidate will be required to clear a DOT drug screen and a complete background check after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

 The successful candidate will be required to clear a DOT drug screen and a complete background check after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.  The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT: 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.

  Back to top