Field Investigator (Public Utilities Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator)

Service Monitoring & Enforcement Department (SMED) Facility and Operations Field Division (FOFD) Hourly Rate: $33.52 About The Service Monitoring & Enforcement Department

The Service Monitoring and Enforcement Department’s (SMED) mission is to enforce consumer safeguards, to resolve consumer complaints and to ensure Ohio utility consumers receive safe and reliable services. SMED is organized into three divisions.

Facility Operations Field Division (FOFD)

Facility Operations Field Division (FOFD) staff regularly inspects utility facilities and reviews plant operating practices to ensure regulated utility service providers deliver safe, reliable and quality service. Field investigators from the division's electric, telephone, water/wastewater and gas pipeline safety sections perform on-site inspections and audit company records to ensure utilities observe regulatory requirements. FOFD staff also participates in rate case proceedings and recommends changes in company policies and practices to improve utility service. FOFD staff also acts as the agency lead for the damage prevention complaint reporting and tracking process; assisting with the maintenance of the damage prevention enforcement database; and answering internal and public inquiries.

What You'll Do

The Gas Pipeline Safety team at the PUCO is responsible for enforcing federal and state pipeline safety regulations. We work in partnership with the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).

Responsibilities

In this position as a

Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator

, you will be a field-based employee responsible for scheduling, coordinating, and conducting independent field audits and inspections with gas utilities. Inspections include:

- Reviews of company plans and procedures

- Reviews of company construction, operations, and maintenance records

- Field observations of gas company employees, contractors

- Field inspections of company pipeline facilities.

You will also be assigned to investigate natural gas related incidents and complaints.

The position will involve learning and applying federal and state pipeline safety regulations to various company records and facilities to determine whether the company is complying with the regulations. Some inspections are performed as part of a team, but most inspections are performed independently.

This position will be based in northeast Ohio and most assignments will be in that part of the state but occasional assignments requiring overnight stays in other parts of the state are possible. Travel to Columbus will also be required throughout the year for meetings at the PUCO headquarters in downtown Columbus. The position will also require the successful completion of several training courses at PHMSA’s training facility in Oklahoma City, OK during the first 3 years in the position. A state vehicle will be assigned for work related travel within in the state.

The selected candidate must reside in or relocate to Lake, Ashtabula, Geauga, Portage, Cuyahoga, Summit, Mahoning, or Trumbull County areas. *Salary Information: Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary is set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases, successful employees will increase a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year. In addition, the State of Ohio offers cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of public service, and wellness incentives.*

5 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; 1 course or 3 mos. trg. in general management; 3 mos. trg. or 3 mos. exp. in public relations; valid driver's license.

- Or 5 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector & successful completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.

- Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering; valid driver's license.

- Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. in construction & operation of natural gas pipeline systems; successful completion of seven basic Transportation Safety Institute courses in gas pipeline safety; valid driver's license.

- Or completion of undergraduate core program in mechanical, electrical or civil engineering technology; 3 yrs. exp. as gas pipeline safety inspector; completion of seven basic gas pipeline safety courses from Transportation Safety Institute; valid driver's license.

- Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills:

Utilities

Organization

Public Utilities Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information

HUMAN RESOURCES - ContactJobsHR@puco.ohio.gov.

Unposting Date

Sep 19, 2025, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Portage County

Other Locations

United States of America-OHIO-Cuyahoga County, United States of America-OHIO-Summit County

Compensation

33.52

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours 7:30-3:30 Flex Available

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Utilities

Technical Skills

Inspection Principles, Auditing, Investigation, Compliance Enforcement

Professional Skills

Attention to Detail, Observation

Agency Overview

The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affect nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers.

To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans.

Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.