Gas Network Team Leader

Occupation overview

The main role of a Gas Network Distribution Team Leader is to safely build, maintain and repair the UK’s gas network infrastructure to provide a reliable supply of gas to domestic, commercial and industrial users. There are two job roles within this occupation: ‘team leader service laying’ and ‘team leading main laying’. The roles require work in all weather conditions at many sites across each company’s network, using a range of tools and equipment to install new mains or services and repair the existing asset infrastructure. Team Leaders are trained to develop a disciplined approach to work safely on a wide range of gas related equipment and to decide on the approach to be taken to complete work, within given instructions, by the team. The team for operational safety reasons is usually made up of two or, on occasion, three people. In addition to the high level of specialist skills required each Team Leader will need to demonstrate industry specific knowledge, including relevant legislation, safety procedures and protection of the environment

Skills

Undertake and document risk assessments
Comply with workplace health, safety & environmental practices, maintaining a safe and secure working environment
Follow engineering instructions and company procedures
Install gas engineering assets, components and associated equipment
Carry out repairs to gas network infrastructure assets as required
Restore gas network infrastructure assets to operational condition
Install, test, purge and commission gas assets
Replace emergency control valves
Communicate instructions to co-workers within the team
Operate powered tools and equipment for network operations
Locate and avoid supply apparatus and sub-structures
Comply with the New Roads and Street Works Act requirements for signing, lighting and guarding
Use approved gas detection equipment to ensure safe environment
Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and employer policy
Liaise with gas consumers, statutory agencies and members of the public
Obtain and analyse information to facilitate decision making
Communicate instructions to co-workers within the team
Liaise with emergency services and other statutory authorities as necessary
Organise additional resources to facilitate repairs as required
Record information, complete job reports and process

Knowledge

Installation, testing, purging and commissioning procedures needed to install assets, equipment, network infrastructure leaving them in an operational condition
Legislation and Codes of Practice involved in the practical installation and maintenance of gas network assets
Current industry health and safety standards and regulations, and environmental and regulatory requirements
Practices, processes and procedures associated with gas network systems, controls and equipment
Relevant level of theory and principles that underpin the design and function of assets, components and associated systems and equipment
Principles and processes that underpin the location and repair of network infrastructure assets
Company policies, procedures and engineering instructions as defined by the employer
Determine the approach, within the instruction, to be adopted by the team to achieve objectives

Behaviours

Display a self-disciplined, self-motivated approach
Deliver a polite, courteous professional service to customers and members of the public
Work effectively when undertaking individual and team tasks and objectives
Work with appropriate supervision, and when required under own initiative, to approved standards and safe work practices
Undertake and complete work in a way that contributes to sustainable development
Be risk aware and minimise risks to life, property and the environment when undertaking work activities
Be quality focussed and professional in work and in personal standards
Work safely with others and when working alone on site
Recognise personal limitations and seek advice from fact holders and specialists when required
Identify, organise and use resources effectively to complete tasks, with consideration for cost, quality, safety, security and environmental impact
Accept responsibility for work of self and others
Accept, allocate and supervise technical and other tasks
Be aware of the needs and concerns of others, especially where related to diversity and equality
Exercise responsibilities in an ethical manner

Specific Requirements

Team Leader Service Laying

Install gas services up to and including 63mm to a range of domestic, commercial and industrial premises using a range of techniques including open cut, moleing and insertion
Carry out appropriate squeeze off and electrofusion pipe jointing techniques
Connect services to gas mains using a range of methods
Decommission services and gas meters
Install a range of gas meter housings
Reposition electrical equipotential bonding apparatus when removing a meter

Team Leader Main Laying

Install gas mains up to and including 355mm to a range of domestic, commercial and industrial premises using a range of techniques including open cut and insertion
Carry out work in deep excavations and confined spaces
Carry out butt fusion jointing of gas mains
Insert flow stopping equipment to facilitate work on pressurised mains
Connect new mains to the existing network infrastructure
Repair and maintain gas main components including valves and fittings

Entry Requirements

While employers preference is for candidates to have achieved at least three GCSEs at grade A to C to include mathematics and English, this criteria may be overridden by employers where a compelling candidate applies without this. To ensure that all apprentices may achieve the required outcome levels in these subjects at completion of the apprenticeship, assessments in these subjects are incorporated as a core requirement.

Duration

For both roles included in this apprenticeship, the duration is expected to be between 12 and 18 months.

Professional Qualifications / Recognition

The apprenticeship is graded at Pass and Distinction and the final grade will be dependent on performance at the end of programme assessment.

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.