Natural Gas Project Lead – Field Operations

The Staff Pad has partnered with a full-service excavation and pipeline construction company providing comprehensive solutions for pipeline and infrastructure projects in Mabank, TX, and we are looking to hire an experienced and qualified Project Lead to oversee field operations and lead a team supporting natural gas construction projects.

The Project Lead runs the gas side of the business in the field and is accountable for the daily production, quality, and safety of a crew of 8-10 team members installing and tying in natural gas main and service lines.

In this role, you will bring comprehensive hands-on knowledge of gas construction operations, including tapping, fusing, tie-ins, pressure testing, and purging, with the ability to perform and support any crew task as needed. You will also serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for the utility, general contractor, and on-site inspector.

What You’ll Do

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and direct a gas crew of 8 to 10operators, fusers, laborers, and equipment operators each day
  
• Plan daily work from prints and work packets, stage materials and equipment, and establish crew production targets
  
• Perform and oversee hot and cold taps, line stops, squeeze-offs, and live gas tie-ins in accordance with written operating procedures
  
• Perform and oversee butt fusion, socket fusion, and electrofusion of polyethylene pipe using (McElroy or equivalent) equipment and verify joint quality and fusion records
  
• Supervise steel installation activities, including welding coordination, coating, and cathodic protection details where applicable
  
• Direct trenching, potholing, tracer wire installation, backfilling, and compaction around live utilities
  
• Oversee pressure testing, purging, and placing new facilities into service while completing all required documentation
  
• Verify utility locates are current and accurate before excavation and enforce tolerance zone and hand-digging requirements
  
• Enforce the site-specific safety plan, including trenching and shoring, confined space, gas detection, traffic control, and PPE requirements
  
• Conduct and document daily huddles, job safety briefings, and toolbox talks
  
• Serve as the daily point of contact for the utility inspector, general contractor, city and county inspectors, and property owners
  
• Complete daily reports, production quantities, as-built redlines, material usage, and timecards using Raken and T-Sheets
  
• Monitor crew performance, coach and train less experienced team members, and identify Operator Qualification gaps
  
• Support restoration, punch list closeout, and final customer walkthroughs
  

What We Are Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in natural gas distribution construction, including 2 to 3 years leading a crew
  
• Proven ability to lead a crew of 8 to 10 and meet daily production targets
  
• Working knowledge of gas main and service installation, tapping, fusing, tie-ins, pressure testing, and purging
  
• Current Operator Qualification (OQ) on covered tasks required for this scope, with tasks varying by gas company
  
• Ability to read and work from construction prints, plan and profile drawings, and utility standards
  
• Valid driver’s license with no more than 2 violations on the motor vehicle record; certain violations are automatic disqualifiers
  
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check, including a 10-panel non-DOT or 5-panel DOT drug screen and 10-year background check
  
• Ability to communicate clearly with crew members, inspectors, and the general contractor
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with specific utility or operator standards and procedures
  
• Specific fusion equipment certification and current fusion qualification cards
  
• Class A or Class B CDL preferred, not required
  
• Experience with vacuum excavation and pipe bursting
  
• Bilingual English and Spanish
  
• Experience managing subcontractors and rental equipment on a jobsite
  

Certifications & Training

• Plastic Pipe Fusion Qualification — Prior fusion experience required; qualifications do not transfer, and candidates must complete testing again
  
• Safety Training — Competent Person, Confined Space, First Aid, and CPR; additional safety training provided
  
• Additional Operator or Client-Specific Training — To be determined based on project requirements
  

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Work outdoors year-round in all weather conditions
  
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50–75 pounds
  
• Stand, walk, bend, kneel, and climb in and out of excavations throughout the shift
  
• Work in and around live natural gas facilities, heavy equipment, and active roadways
  
• Wear required personal protective equipment, including flame-resistant clothing where required
  

What You Can Expect

• Competitive Compensation
  
• Overtime paid at Time and a half
  
• Life, dental, and vision insurance available the first of the month following 60 days of employment
  
• After 1 year: 3 paid holidays, 1 week of vacation, and bereavement pay
  
• After 4 years: 2 weeks of vacation
  

If you’re a hands-on natural gas professional who leads with confidence, takes ownership in the field, and knows what it takes to keep a crew moving safely and efficiently, we want to hear from you. Join a team where your experience, leadership, and commitment to quality will make a direct impact on the successful delivery of critical gas infrastructure projects. Apply today and bring your expertise to the team!