Senior Pipeline Safety Engineer
Gas Networks Ireland operates and maintains Ireland’s €2.8bn, 14,664km national gas network, which is considered one of the safest and most modern gas networks in the world. Over 720,000 Irish customers trust Ireland’s gas network to provide convenient and reliable energy to meet their heating, cooking and transport needs.
The gas network is the cornerstone of Ireland’s energy system, securely supplying more than 30% of Ireland’s total energy, including 40% of all heating and over 50% of the country’s electricity generation.
By facilitating the roll-out of new technologies such as CNG in transport and replacing natural gas with renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen, Gas Networks Ireland is working to deliver a net-zero carbon gas network and support Ireland’s journey to a cleaner energy future. Gas Networks Ireland is a commercial semi-state organisation committed to growth, innovation, safety and sustainability. The company is an employer of choice for many, providing a dynamic, modern and inclusive workplace for its staff to grow and develop throughout their career.
The Role:
Reporting to the Process Safety Manager, the Senior Pipeline Safety Engineer, will assist with the implementation of third-party damage prevention strategy initiatives and measurement and analysis of third-party damage prevention performance in relation to GNI’s pipeline and related assets. This includes responding to third party transmission queries via the Dial Before You Dig (DBYD) process to proactively minimize the number of third-party damage incidents and reacting to any such incidents appropriately. Coordinate and assist in technical audits and quality reviews of non-routine operations (NRO). The role also includes coordinating emergency exercises and participating in GNI’s emergency preparedness activities including maintaining/ testing the crisis management plan and capabilities. The role will have responsibility for ensuring the quality, completeness and timely provision of GIS pipeline mapping data; under license, to external third parties. The role will manage a team of technical personnel.
Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist in developing policies and procedures for compliance with relevant legislation and codes controlling the safe management of pipelines and pressure systems operated by GNI
- Ensure timely and adequate response to transmission third party DBYD enquiries and participation in the Third-Party Damage Prevention Group (TPDPG)
- Ensure continuity of the transmission DBYD process functionality, through managing and anticipating personnel, organisational and/or process changes
- Assist with the co-ordination and implementation of third-party damage prevention strategy initiatives
- Measure and analyse third party damage prevention performance and identify areas for improvement
- Ensure compliance with licence requirements in the areas of pipeline safety and integrity
- Ensure compliance with Safety Case and help prepare quarterly and annual report to CRU
- Contribute to the collation, monitoring and review Safety and Process Safety Performance Indicators (SPI & PSPI)
- Lead and support relevant technical audits in GNI’s audit schedule
- Assist and co-ordinate quality assurance reviews of NROs
- Assist in the investigation of accidents and high potential incidents and subsequent reporting
- Coordinate and monitor emergency exercises across GNI and report on progress
- Ensure emergency preparedness activities are aligned to a risk-based approach
- Help prepare and maintain current Crisis Management Plan (CMP) and test regularly
- Manage the process for provision of GIS data to third parties
- Attend hazardous industry working groups to learn good practice and implement within GNI
- Performing other duties as may be assigned from time to time
Knowledge, Skills and Experience:
- Degree in Engineering or equivalent
- Minimum of 5 years relevant engineering experience with a working knowledge of Transmission and/or Distribution natural gas processes, operating practices and engineering
- Working knowledge and experience of pipeline/ process/ technical safety issues and techniques an advantage
- People-management, leadership, motivation and communication skills
- Provide coaching in the development of the technical skills and abilities in others
- Have excellent analytical skills and be able to identify and analyse problems and potential improvements, and propose and implement solutions
- Strong report writing and document preparation skills
- Knowledge of safety management and risk assessment principles
- Proven ability to create and develop good working relationships to facilitate the accomplishment of work goals, coupled with the ability to gain commitment from others
- Ability to set up ongoing procedures to collect and review information as needed to be successful in your role
- Proactively identifying new areas of learning and using newly gained knowledge and skill on the job
- Ability to set own high standards of performance and delivering desired results
- A good understanding of business operations and the commercial viability and impact of technical / professional decisions on the performance of the organisation
- Proven track record with dealing with complex issues, proactively and in a timely fashion, along with the ability to communicate complex information to others.
Applications, including current Curriculum Vitae, should be emailed to the following address stating the job title and reference number in the subject line of your email: recruit@gasnetworks.ie
The closing date for receipt of applications for this vacancy is the 6th of January 2025.
Please note that applications submitted after this closing date will not be accepted.
Gas Networks Ireland is an equal opportunities employer
We are committed to providing a diverse and inclusive place of work and have a robust strategy and framework called ibelong to enable this. We are an equal opportunity employer and through our recruitment process we welcome and encourage applications from interested and suitably qualified individuals regardless of gender, age, racial or ethnic origin, membership of the traveller community, religion or beliefs, family or civil status, sexual orientation/gender identity or disability.
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