Planning & Design Technologist 1

Position Overview

The purpose of this position is to plan, estimate and coordinate project requests from customers (e.g., builders and developers), external agencies, FortisBC departments, as well as end-use customers, where the projects present the greatest complexity. This role works both independently and with guidance to develop designs for distribution projects of the greatest complexity. This position prepares pricing and cost estimates and conducts field reconnaissance for related projects. The role is a liaison with customers, contractors, developers, and others in matters related to alterations, renewals, upgrades, improvements, and additions to the gas distribution systems.

Responsibilities

The scope of projects coordinated by this position will be limited to:

• Mains and service piping 219 mm (8”) or less,
• metering requirements with load profiles, per meter, of less than 400 cubic metres per hour, 
• Distribution Pressure system work and Intermediate Pressure service work.

 
Coordinates projects, including but not limited to:

• defining customer requirements and project scope, creating, and maintaining customer data,
• ensuring all service product requirements are collected,
• explaining FortisBC processes, procedures, and requirements to customers,
• selecting the appropriate service products and pricing,
• conveying related permit requirements to customers,
• informing the customer of the price for the service product(s),
• scheduling the work with the customer following a check of crew (capacity planning) and materials availability and creating work orders.
• coordinate and attend meetings with customers and their agents and conduct site visits as required.
• projects may include low-rise vertical subdivisions.

 
Processes jobs, including but not limited to:

• reviewing foreign utility data, legal land base considerations, and geography to determine appropriate gas layout and depth in accordance with FortisBC standards,
• completing electronic layout or Engineering drawings,
• confirming and updating pipe sizing on drawings as defined by System Planning,
• identifying and obtaining required internal and external approvals and prerequisites,
• identifying and requisitioning required inventoried materials and manufactured items,
• completing detailed estimates,
• process project requests such as billable and non-billable orders professionally and in accordance with established policies and procedures
• utilizing economic test tools to determine pricing of installations,
• explaining FortisBC procedures, policies, rate processes and municipal, provincial, and federal regulations to customers,
• working with customers and authorities to ensure all service products requirements are collected and met.

 
Ensures completion of the job and maintains customer relations, including but not limited to:

• building relationships with current, repeat, and potential customers and external contacts, 
• responding to customer inquiries including but not limited to installation costs, bill calculations, and the scheduling of work,
• acting as primary contact for premium rated builder/developers and internal/external customers.

 
Responds to a variety of operational and maintenance issues which may include but not limited to: 

• overbuilds of plant related to all customer classes and identified by both the customer and company programs,
• metering consolidations/de-consolidations,
• meter protection,
• commercial/industrial metering assembly upgrades (company driven),
• corrosion maintenance (houseline/riser replacement, anode bed install/removal),
• IP service line additions/removals
• complex main and valve lowerings, raisings, and/or abandonments,
• activities related to hazard remediation and system maintenance requirements.

 
Provides direction to Planning and Design Technicians and Operations Support Representatives within the department. 

Performs duties of a minor nature related to the above duties, including driving a vehicle, which do not affect the rating of the job.

Requirements

• Minimum post-secondary educational requirement - completion of a post-secondary Technology Diploma in an appropriate discipline
• Certified or deemed eligible for certification at the technician (C.Tech.) level by the Applied Science Technologists and Technicians of British Columbia (ASTTBC) AND two (2) years directly related, relevant work experience.
• Strong organizational skills including the ability to multi-task, prioritize and work under pressure during peak workload periods to meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills including telephone call handling skills and the ability to respond to difficult or demanding situations with tact and diplomacy.
• Courteous, professional manner in dealing with internal and external contacts and customers, including positive interpersonal skills and the ability to provide direction in a team environment.
• Ability to analyze and resolve problems of a technical nature, and understand the implication of costs, risks, operability, and safety. 
• Sound working knowledge of various specialized software applications required to support operations activities (e.g. SAP) and the MS Office suite of applications.
• Knowledge of natural gas utilization and construction practices.
• Superior customer service and product promotion skills.
• Ability to work independently. 
• Sound analytical and decision-making skills.
• Capable of keyboarding at an intermediate level.
• Valid British Columbia Driver’s license.

Additional Information

• This position has restricted holiday availability based on operational requirements for certain months of the year, as per Article 14 of the MoveUp/FortisBC Collective Agreement.
• May involve working shift work or late coverage depending on customer and operational requirements (i.e. day, afternoon and night shifts, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day).