Multiple Openings Damage Prevention Support

at  NiSource

SUMMARY: DAMAGE PREVENTION SCREENER:

Manages facility locate activities by reviewing one-call requests, assigning work to NiSource Operating Areas and contractors and coordinating our efforts with designers, contractors, excavators, homeowners, and the state one-call centers. Performs quality assurance checks on field locate work and maintains up to date map and computerized data. Overall, ensures that NiSource is compliant with state statutes regarding our duty to locate our facilities in a timely manner upon request.

SUMMARY: DAMAGE PREVENTION SPECIALIST

The Damage Prevention Specialist 1 is to reach out, educate, and influence NiSource employees, partners, excavators and the public about the importance of safe and responsible digging practices in order to prevent damage to company-owned facilities.
Key Results:

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR DAMAGE PREVENTION SCREENER:

• High School degree or equivalent.
• Knowledge of basic PC applications/skills.
• Ability to interpret and integrate various pieces of information / data in order to understand pipeline routing scenarios.
• Requires ability to use PC and navigate various Windows-based software and mainframe systems. Must have ability to learn PC applications such as IRTH, mapping software, etc. and ability to learn company mainframe applications such as DIS, WMS, etc.
• Requires ability to accurately interpret maps, plats, construction plans, etc.
• Requires ability to handle multiple projects and work effectively under deadlines and changing priorities and conditions. Must have experience working in a fast-paced team environment.
• Requires strong oral communication and interpersonal skills, as demonstrated by successful interactions with others where tact and diplomacy are needed.
• Must be able to work with the public in face-to-face situations and over the telephone. Will be required to maintain a neat appearance.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work with little or no direct supervision.
• Must have strong decision making and problem solving skills, even in the absence of complete information.
• Must have a valid driver’s license and able to operate company vehicles.
• Demonstrated skill in organizing, scheduling and planning work to maximize coordination of office and field resources

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS FOR DAMAGE PREVENTION SPECIALIST:

• High School Diploma, or equivalent
• Operator Qualified on locates
• Ability to read and interpret reports and make data-based decisions
• Effective communication skills (written, oral, public speaking)
• Demonstrated ability to adjust messaging and approach to various audiences
• Willingness to be flexible, as needed
• Ability to prioritize and manage work
• Ability to influence others
• Willingness to travel outside of normal territory as business conditions require
• Self-reliant, self-directed
• Proficient in computer applications (i.e. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

PREFERRED ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR POSITION

• 6 months experience in COH field operations, underground construction, or utility line locating.
• Knowledge of DIS, WMS, FAAR, IRTH computer applications
• Mapping, cartography, or surveying experience
• Knowledge of COH policies and state mandates related to facility damage prevention

• Remotely assists field locators when problems arise by researching electronic and paper maps, work order records, DIS, WMS, IRTH and other sources.
• Takes action necessary to eliminate confusion between locate requestors, One Call centers, Damage Prevention, and field personnel.
• Evaluates state one-call requests for facility locates to determine if NiSource facilities are in conflict.Assigns facility locate jobs to contract and company personnel in response to requests from one-call systems (Ohio Utilities Protection Service, OUPS, Kentucky Underground Protection, Inc.
• 
  
• KUPI) or other outside sources.

• Communicates effectively with governmental agencies, one-call centers, other utilities, contractors, plumbers, vendors, customers, Columbia mobile workforce, operating centers, and other related entities.
• Directs/dispatches company and contract personnel in response to dig up, emergency, and short notice, locate needs. Coordinates response with contractors, excavators, municipalities, etc. that initiated the request.
• Coordinates with Logistics, Resource Planners, and contract locators in response to facility damages and facility damage investigations.
• Responds to requests for design information from engineering firms, governmental agencies, and contractors. Evaluates potential conflicts with proposed work and NiSource facilities.
• Provides facility information based on the specific request in the form of paper maps, job order records/sketches, etc.
• Monitors compliance based on knowledge of state specific one-call legislation requirements.
• Monitors and addresses requests that are in danger of exceeding our mandated time window.
• Makes the necessary communications to ensure that facilities are protected and marked as required.
• Continually prioritizes workload and informs field personnel as non-compliance issues are identified.
• Makes multiple judgment-based decisions relating to one-call legislation compliance, emergency response, and safety concerns in a fast-paced environment.
• Utilizes PC and mainframe systems to access information and support decisions. (IRTH, DIS, WMS, FAAR, Internet, etc.)
• Interprets map data (paper and computer-based) quickly and accurately to spot potential conflicts with company facilities.
• Verifies accuracy of billing from contract locators by accessing ticket history and auditing billing detail.
• Negotiates and collaborates with field and locate requestors (contractors, municipalities, customers, etc.) to ensure appropriate company response and safe excavation practices compliant with state mandated requirements.
• Communicates with operations centers, Logistics, and contract locate personnel to ensure well-coordinated and collaborative, effective link.
• Suggests process improvements to further enhance safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
• Compliance with company policies and state statutes as they relate to facility locate and damage prevention work.
• Properly assigned requests and accurate facility locates to prevent personal injury, property damage, and to protect company assets.
• Accurate and cost-effective screening of locate requests not requiring an actual on-site visit.
• Positive and effective communications with our company and contractor workforce, operating centers, New Business Reps, phone centers, customers, other utility companies, builders, excavators, and contractors.
• Proper and timely response to emergency, short-notice, and on the job calls.
• Prompt assignment of locate requests to enable completion of work within the mandated 48 hour window.
• Very current mapping records due to updating existing paper and electronic data on a continual basis.