Associate Gas Controller

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.

Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Remotely monitor and control gas pipeline system by following established protocols to safely deliver natural gas to all CNP customers. Monitors and controls operating pressure and flow rates, forecasts and load balances the gas system for customer demand, leverages gas purchase contract language, manages curtailment operations, and communicates operational issues with both internal and external stakeholders. Provides analysis of system performance and translates processes and procedures into practice as required.

• Remotely monitor and control gas system reliably, within operational parameters and Control Room Management (CRM) rules, while meeting supply targets and other regulatory requirements.
• Monitors Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system and recognizes Abnormal Operating Conditions (AOC) and alarms and communicates issues to appropriate departments and/or directs changes to settings remotely or through field personnel.
• Maintains a documented ‘real time’ operational status of the gas system and communicates status and pipeline changes to affected departments to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Maintains, documents, and communicates the record of department actions, operational challenges, and deviations from daily operating plans to ensure accurate documentation is available on file.

• Analyzes gas usage and distribution system pressures from the SCADA network and takes appropriate action to ensure safe and reliable operations.
• Reviews, monitors, and manages gas nominations to ensure that contract obligations are met.
• Assists in forecasting the total customer demand daily and recommends changes to gas supply, peaking supplies, and/or initiates curtailment strategies to meet and balance that demand.
• Works with other departments (Engineering, Gas Supply, Gas Transportation, Technical Field Operations, System Operations, Integrity Management, District personnel, Dispatch, Customer Service, Gas Storage, and others) to ensure safe reliable gas delivery to our customers.
• Performs basic trouble shooting of SCADA system and provides support to the System Operations group for SCADA programming changes, daily operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of field SCADA equipment.
• Serves as single point of contact, during and after normal business hours, for large volume customers and pipeline suppliers when emergencies arise.
• Required to pass Operator Qualifications (OQ) and Gas Controller Training Program in processes and procedures as defined by the Department of Transportation.
• Assist in making recommendations for isolation of the gas system for emergency repairs of damaged facilities, rerouting of gas supplies, an implementing Gas Control Plans as needed.
• Provides Dispatch department and Customer Service department with gas facility and outage information when required.

• High School Diploma/GED required, preferred BA/BS degree from an accredited university, or combination or education & experience providing equivalent knowledge.

• Requires a minimum of one (1) year applicable experience with an understanding of basic principles and characteristics of natural gas including flow and pressure relationships and natural gas operations.
• Requires 3 year demonstrated history of multi-tasking, troubleshooting of complex systems, utilization of data in decision making…