Title: Gas Control Technician I (Open Until Filled)
Sacramento, CA, US, 95827-3824
Minimum Pay Rate: $43.98
Maximum Pay Rate: $64.26
Civil Service Status: Civil Service
Posting Type: Open
Open until filled - Candidates are encouraged to apply early as this posting may close at any time without notice on or after July 14, 2025
SMUD delivers power to more than 1.4 million customers throughout the Sacramento area, and as a community-owned, not-for-profit electric service, we have been providing low-cost, reliable electricity for over 70 years. In addition to hydro, solar, and wind generation assets, SMUD owns and operates a 76-mile high-pressure natural gas pipeline that transports approximately 190 million cubic feet of gas per day from the PG&E backbone in Winters to four gas-fired thermal plants in Sacramento County. This pipeline is essential for fueling SMUD's thermal generation assets that generate heat energy which is converted to electrical power for SMUD customers. The transmission system operates without compression and is monitored and controlled remotely. It is equipped with a Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system that communicates vital operating parameters and equipment statuses. Additionally, the pipeline features a Gas Leak Detection System (GLDS) that continuously monitors volume balance, detects and pinpoints potential leaks. The pipeline system employs remotely controlled shutoff valves with rupture mitigation devices that enable the isolation of pipeline segments prior to dispatching personnel to the field.
SMUD's Power Generation Department is seeking to hire a Gas Control Technician I. In this role, you will be an integral part of our dedicated team responsible for the operation and maintenance of our natural gas pipeline. This position involves monitoring and controlling pipeline operations to ensure efficiency, safety, and compliance with regulatory standards. You will play a key role in troubleshooting operational issues, performing routine inspections, and executing maintenance tasks that are critical for the reliable delivery of natural gas to our gas-fired thermal plants.
Cover Letter Requirements: To be considered for this position, please ensure your cover letter includes responses to the following questions. Failure to submit the required cover letter may preclude you from moving forward in the process:
- Please list any relevant experience in transmission gas pipeline operations, maintenance, and/or measurement and control systems.
- Please describe your experience with transmission pipeline monitoring systems and the software tools you have used in gas control operations.
- Please describe your experience working with leak detection, rupture mitigation, emission reduction, and pipeline integrity management systems. Please provide examples of your involvement.
- Please list any certifications, operator qualifications, or coursework relevant to transmission gas pipeline operations.
Purpose
Under close supervision, learns and performs routine maintenance functions involved in the installation, maintenance, repair, operation, and testing work related to the construction, modification, maintenance, and operation of natural gas transmission facilities, pipelines and appurtenances in the most efficient, safe and cost-effective manner. Assists journey-level Gas Control Technicians with skilled maintenance functions in a learning capacity.
Nature and Scope
This classification is comprised of two levels: Level "I" is the entry-level where incumbents are provided formal training and/or certification for progression to the journey-level of the classification. The incumbent is promoted/progressed to the journey level "II" upon successful completion of all training and/or certification requirements for the classification. Incumbents hired at the entry-level are required to successfully progress to the journey-level within 18 to 60 months, depending on the length of the training and/or certification program. If an employee is unsuccessful with progressing to the journey-level, they will return to last class held or separate from SMUD.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Performs highly technical maintenance tasks associated with gas instrumentation under close supervision.
- Installs, troubleshoots, repairs, operates, and maintains all types of natural gas control, measurement and treatment equipment such as regulators, meters, valves, controllers, and chromatographs.
- Installs, operates and maintains corrosion protection equipment such as anodes, insulated fittings, volt-ohm-ammeters, potentiometers, and recorders.
- Installs valves and valve components and performs valve maintenance and vault maintenance per the Gas Pipeline Procedures Manual.
- Performs inspections and maintenance of natural gas above ground facilities and equipment.
- Performs field surveys and takes readings, such as leak detection surveys, cathodic protection surveys, density surveys and taking natural gas odorant readings.
- Conducts field locating duties and responds to Underground Service Alerts.
- Assists others in performing and evaluating field and station tests.
- Assists in transmission line repair work, construction of new pipelines, purging of pipelines and tapping pipelines under pressure.
- Maintains files, records and logs in compliance with a highly regulated industry.
Required Education
- High School diploma or equivalent.
Required Experience Qualifications
- Any combination of education and experience that has provided the necessary knowledge and skills will be considered qualifying.
Required Licenses/Certificates
- Valid California Driver’s License; meets SMUD’s driving standard by not having more than two (2) moving violations within the last two years; and the ability to obtain operator qualifications to perform tasks as per CFR 49, Part 192, Subpart N.
Knowledge Of
Safe work practices related to maintenance work; safe and proper use of hand and power tools used in routine maintenance work; basic fundamentals of electricity; basic mathematics; basic computer skills with an understanding of Microsoft Office applications and any other relevant software applications and skills.
Skills To
Effectively communicate orally and in writing; use basic hand and power tools; remember and follow written and oral instructions; read and interpret written instructions; complete forms, requisitions and reports; develop and maintain effective working relationships with others; learn the functional requirements for effective operation and maintenance of gas control equipment; learn the fundamentals of physics of thermal, fluid, gas and instrumentation, metering and control systems; learn the applicable fundamentals of electricity, electronics, mathematics through trigonometry, mechanics and corrosion protection; learn the functional requirements for effective operation and maintenance of gas control equipment; learn the fundamentals and operation of gas transmission lines, automatic controls, natural gas analyzers, and cathodic protection systems.
Desirable Qualifications
- Understanding of SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems and control technologies
- Knowledge of pipeline safety regulations, industry standards, and best practices (e.g., PHMSA regulations)
- Knowledge of measurement, regulation, and analyzation equipment utilized in the operation of a transmission natural gas pipeline
- Certifications such as Operator Qualification (OQ) or specialized training in transmission gas pipeline operations and maintenance
- Experience working on a high-pressure natural gas pipeline
Physical Requirements
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are
As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.
Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion
SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be yourself, achieve your best, and thrive together.
An example of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging is when SMUD signed the California Equal Pay Pledge in 2020. This requires equal pay for employees who perform “substantially similar work,” when viewed as a composite of skill, effort, and responsibility at the time those employees started within that classification. As such, initial hiring salary range is not subject to negotiation and salaries will vary over time based on performance.
SMUD is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, veteran status, or any other applicable legally protected characteristic. All employment decisions are made on the basis of individual qualifications, merit, and business needs and interests.
Why Sacramento, California?
The capitol of California, Sacramento is the state's sixth-largest city, and the 35th largest in the U.S. Local universities include California State University, University of the Pacific's McGeorge School of Law, and the University of California, Davis and several competitive community colleges. The UC Davis Medical Center, a world-renowned research hospital, is one of more than a dozen hospitals and shared services centers in the Sacramento region. Part of the agriculturally-rich Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork food movement. Northern California is home to some of the country's top technology companies, including Google and LinkedIn, and a multitude of startups in many industries. Sacramento is home to the NBA Kings, the River Cats (AAA baseball), the Republic FC (soccer) and the San Francisco Giants, NBA Warriors and NFL 49er's aren't far away. Sacramento offers an affluent liberal arts community with Broadway, Mondavi Center, Crocker Museum and summer musical theater to name a few.
On-site Work
This role will be an on-site role that will require being in person at one of SMUD's campuses daily to complete work tasks.