Heavy Equipment Operator

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 may include 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.  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.

The Pipeline Specialist’s reporting location is Kinder Morgan’s Coudersport CS 313 but due to the extensive travel, candidates near other Kinder Morgan locations in Pennsylvania or New York State may be considered.

Pipeline Specialists are part of Kinder Morgan's Pipeline Project Support (PPS) business unit working on Natural Gas, Products and CO2 pipelines.  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 projects
• Perform hydrovac truck maintenance tasks
• Ability to operate heavy pipeline excavation equipment including large trucks.
• Perform 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 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.
• Calibrate and maintain a holiday detector for coating application inspection.
• Perform pressure tests of pipelines and fabrications.
• Review pressure test plans and execute 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 shorted pipeline casings and install CP test points on pipelines.
• Prepare pipelines for full encirclement sleeves for anomaly repairs.
• 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:
  • Repair pig launcher and receivers, closures and install pig signals.
  • 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.
  • Performing basic Oxy-acetylene cutting and beveling operations.
  • Set up portable gas compressors and operate air compressors.
  • Launching, monitoring and receiving pipeline pigs and developing pipeline pigging plans.
  • Conducting internal pipeline cleaning or pigging operations utilizing internal pipe cleaning equipment.