Title: Apprentice (Ocala)    
Company: Peoples Gas System
State and City: Florida   -  Ocala
Shift: 8 Hr. X 5 Days

WHAT YOU’LL DO

Assist in the lay-out, fabrication and installation of gas distribution systems, which includes new construction and/or maintenance on various types of commercial, residential and industrial equipment.  An Apprentice shall work in compliance with all Company policies, procedures, rules, regulations, safety standards and communicate in an effective, professional and courteous manner with all Company personnel, customers, contractors, developers, police/fire officials, other utility representatives, and members of the general public.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities: 

Individuals in this classification have minimal experience in the natural gas industry and will attend and successfully complete formal/informal training to be qualified to efficiently and effectively perform the duties and responsibilities listed below:

• Turn on and turn off gas services, appliances, and equipment.
• Read meters and meter instruments.
• Perform the duties of a line locator.
• Assist and/or perform the installation, removal, change-out or upgrade of service regulators and meter sets.
• Assist and/or perform the start-up of conversion burners.
• May assist and perform the installation and maintenance of underground/above ground distribution/transmission mains, services, equipment and meter activity, including minor repairs and adjustments.
• Assist and/or perform plastic pipe fusion, tapping, and stopping operations.
• Assist and/or perform in operating hydraulic tools, backhoe and other machines used in natural gas operations.
• Assist and/or perform the investigations of inside and outside natural gas leaks.
• Work with a hand-held radio device with internet capability to open and close assigned service orders.
• Use of a lap-top computer for mapping, work orders, training and Employee Self Service for working time, benefits and job listings.
• Ability to work overtime as needed including weekends and holidays in response to gas emergencies.
• Ability to work Call Out and Stand-by schedule on a rotating basis.
• Will perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

-Must be able to detect normal concentrations of natural gas odorant.

-Must have vision acceptable under DOT guidelines 49 CFR 391.41(b)(10).

-Must have hearing acceptable under DOT guidelines 49 CFR 391.41(b)(11).

-Must be able to independently ingress/egress and operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.

IMPORTANT: Please make sure you can commit to all steps before applying.

The BSTB test, interview and mandatory paid training will be held on the following tentative dates:

• Basic Skills Test Battery (BSTB) test – Facilitated virtually between the hours of 8:00AM - 5:00PM
• Interview – Will be done through Microsoft Teams and requires a computer or smart phone (Between the hours of 8:00AM - 5:00PM Monday-Friday)
• New hire start training date – March 3, 2025
• Mandatory Paid Training – all weekdays for 4 weeks, starting March 3, 2025 in Tampa, FL

Must Haves:  

• Valid High School Diploma or Valid G.E.D. is required
• Valid driver’s license with a safe driving record is required
• Must understand basic map reading; know how to operate power tools and communication devices; ability to follow complex oral and written instructions. Using a calculator- must be able to perform basic math functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide, decimals, and fractions).

Nice-to-Haves:

• One (1) to two (2) years natural gas or utility work experience or related work experience (such as propane, pipe fitting, etc.) a plus.
• Two (2) or more years of direct work experience performing the duties and responsibilities of a gas locator.

Working Conditions  

• Must be physically capable of indoor/outdoor manual labor.
• Successful candidate must reside within 25 miles or 30 minutes of the Ocala Division office location to ensure business continuity and emergency response time.

Physical Demands

• Must be able to pass a pulmonary function test for use of respiratory equipment.
• Must be able to ascend/descend ladders, stairs and the like using feet, legs, hands, and arms.
• Must be able to maintain balance when walking, standing, or crouching, on/in narrow or slippery surfaces and/or spaces.
• Must be able to independently operate a motor vehicle in a safe manner.
• Must be able to independently enter/exit a motor vehicle as required during an eight-hour shift.
• Must be able to bend and/or stoop requiring full use of the lower extremities and back muscles.
• Must be able to kneel and or crouch by bending legs at knees to come to rest at knees and bending body downward and forward by bending legs and spine.
• Must be able to walk, stand or sit for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to grasp/handle small hand tools and other objects by applying pressure with fingers and palms.
• Must be able to work primarily with fingers (pinching, picking, etc.) rather than using the whole hand or arm.
• Must be able to pull, push, lift and carry objects weighing up to 100 lbs
• Must have vision correctable to 20/40.
• Must not have an average hearing loss greater than 40 decibels in the better ear at frequencies of 500, 1000, and 2000 with or without a hearing aid.
• Must be able to smell gas odorant in normal concentrations.
• Must be able to perform repetitive motions by extending arms and hands in any direction with substantial movement of wrists, hands and fingers.
• Must be able to physically express ideas in writing.
• Must be able to enter letters and numbers on a keyboard.
• Must be able to rotate and revolve body (twist) as to face in another direction.
• Must be able to work outside for extended periods of time.
• Must be able to perform basic math functions (add, subtract, multiply, divide, decimals, fractions, basic algebra, and geometry).

The successful applicant will be required to take and pass a Baseline Medical Examination as part of the pre-employment screening once an offer has been accepted. A pre-employment drug screening, as well as a background check (including education, employment, criminal and motor vehicle) will also be conducted as part of the pre-employment screening. A physical may be conducted if required for the role.