Manager- Ops Support

Position Description

This position will support Kinder Morgan’s (KM’s) Products Pipelines Damage Prevention Program to ensure compliance with company damage prevention procedures and federal, state, and provincial damage prevention regulatory requirements.

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Responsible for reviewing KM’s Products Pipelines damage prevention procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and provincial damage prevention legislation and requirements. Provides feedback to management regarding the impact that new laws/regulations will have on compliance requirements.
• Reviews damage prevention best practices (e.g., Common Ground Alliance Best Practices, API RP 1166) on a routine basis to ensure damage prevention procedures are aligned with best practices.
• Extensive involvement in KM’s Public Awareness Program to ensure program compliance and recommend improvements.
• Recommends changes to applicable procedures through the Management of Change process to remain in compliance with damage prevention regulatory requirements.
• Participates in regulatory agency pipeline safety audits/inspections.
• Leads efforts to standardize Business Unit Damage Prevention practices where possible.
• Serves as the Business Unit Damage Prevention SME and primary point of contact for the BU’s program.
• Participates in and leads various KM internal processes designed to promote operational excellence in damage prevention.
• Conducts the annual Business Unit L‑O&M damage prevention procedures review.
• Investigates significant excavation‑related accidents and incidents.
• Tracks all BU unauthorized encroachments to ensure they are properly investigated and documented.
• Ensures KM’s Common Ground Alliance (CGA) Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) forms are completed correctly and uploaded into KM’s DIRT application in a timely manner.
• Performs an analysis of annual DIRT data submitted for KM Products Pipeline and prepares an annual report to management, highlighting trends in the DIRT data.
• Provides liaison support with KM’s Internal Audit and One‑Call Center support groups when issues arise.
• Provides support and training at KM’s Right‑of‑Way College.
• Performs damage prevention Quality Assurance field audits.
• Performs damage prevention Quality Assurance tabletop audits of one‑call ticket responses.
• Provides damage prevention guidance in response to field inquiries requesting support.
• Participates in ERL (Emergency Response Line) calls for Damage Prevention and Public Awareness.
• May be called upon to support KM’s broader Pipeline Safety compliance agenda.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

position may be filled at various locations: Houston, TX, Sacramento, CA, Long Beach, CA, or Pheonix, AZ.

Position Requirements

• A 2‑year degree from an accredited institution or 8+ years of equivalent related pipeline industry experience is preferred.
• A technical understanding of pipeline systems is preferred—including, but not limited to, GIS, Pipeline Database Systems (PODS), Class/HCA location determination, Public Awareness, and components and characteristics of pipeline material and data associated with pipelines.
• Field Damage Prevention experience is preferred.
• Effective communication skills—both oral and written—interpersonal skills, analytical skills, and the ability to analyze a problem from various perspectives and make sound recommendations are required.
• The individual must possess the drive for self‑directed work activity and be able to maintain a close working relationship with reporting employees in multiple locations.

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed. This position may perform other duties as assigned.


Pay range: $143,000–$215,000 per year. This position includes a discretionary annual incentive plan. Job level and pay commensurate with experience and skill set.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER STATEMENT: We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class.