Job Description

Construction Trainee - Eugene
Union Position; Up to 1 positions
Core Distribution - Eugene; Eugene, Oregon (US-OR)
Regular FT, Non-Exempt
Posting # 5477

About Us:

At NW Natural, we offer more than rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We invite you to join us in providing safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to better the lives of the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry.

In addition to environmental stewardship, we’re also deeply committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at NW Natural. Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and today we continue to foster a culture where all employees can experience a sense of belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

NOTE:

The scheduled start date for this position is June 22nd, 2026.

General Purpose:

Performs advanced construction tasks as a member of a crew or alone as appropriate.

General Essential Functions:

• Performs construction and related activities on mains, services, and related equipment.
• Provides limited relief for Construction 3 and 4 when temporarily away from the job.
• Performs mechanical connections, pipe fusing, and pipe joining work.
• Plugs, taps, tests, and purges mains or service.
• Builds and replaces meter sets, regulators, and house-lines.
• Reads meters.
• Pre-inspects job sites and inspects customer-provided excavations.
• Coordinates jobs including attendance at pre-construction meetings and serving as liaison with internal and external stakeholders regarding permits, installation dates, saw cuts, etc.
• Performs various one-person work as required.
• Trains, assists, and provides feedback to less-experienced workers at the direction of supervisor, which may include providing feedback to supervisor on progress of training.
• Performs other tasks as required as referenced in the CBA, with training as needed.
• Appropriately wears required protective equipment and safety gear.
• Operates Company vehicles in compliance with state/local laws and Company policies and procedures.
• Acquires and maintains OQ qualifications.
• May require Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) certification.
• Acts and communicates in a professional, respectful, and cooperative manner in connection with all activities associated with NW Natural.
• Follows supervisory instructions and is flexible and adaptable to changing conditions and expectations.
• Maintains punctual, regular, and reliable attendance.
• Demonstrates the Company’s core values and complies with all Company policies and procedures.

Position Specific Essential Functions:

Phase 1 (Construction Trainee, Pipe Fuser In-Training 1,2)

• Performs Trainee functions to assist in the installation, lowering, maintenance, and replacement of mains and services.

Phase 2 (Pipe Fuser)

• Successfully completes In-Training Program; performs all the essential functions of Phase 1 (Pipe Fuser in Training).
• Performs polyethylene fusion pipe joining on gas pipeline facilities and structures made in connection with installing, lowering, repairing, and replacing mains and services.

Construction 2 consists of three levels. Employees will receive training and will be evaluated at each of these levels. Refer to the Training Department for detail on the details on the training program.

Essential Function Requirements:

• Demonstrated knowledge, skills, and ability in construction methodology and requirements directly related to this position.
• Ability to use associated tools, hand tools, power/pneumatic tools and mechanized equipment such as backhoe, mini-excavator, bore machine, dump trucks, and jack hammer.
• Knowledge of materials, methods, and the tools involved in construction.
• Basic math and reading skills.
• Ability to access, input, and retrieve information from a computer.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the Company’s organization, inter-relationships, policies, procedures, processes, and department/work specific requirements.
• Ability to interface with employees and customers to answer questions or resolve issues with tact and diplomacy.
• Ability to concentrate on tasks, apply procedures in sequence, make decisions with limited information, and work in a structured team environment.
• Ability to perform physically demanding work involving walking, standing, bending, twisting, wrist turning, grasping, lifting, squatting, kneeling, reaching, or assuming awkward postures for 8+ hours.
• Ability to hear normal voice at 3 feet; warning signals/horns during field operations.
• Near/distant vision for driving and reading information to complete work assignments.
• Moderate/severe exposure to uneven surfaces, noise, vibration, high-speed rotating machinery, and odorant inhalation.
• Ability to lift a maximum of 100 lbs.
• Must be able to transport and load/unload equipment and materials at worksites in compliance with state/local and Company regulations.
• Ability to work in adverse weather or terrain conditions.
• Ability to safely operate Company vehicles/equipment and perform inspections and minor maintenance as necessary and in compliance with Company policies and state/local laws.
• Valid OR/WA driver’s license, any required certifications and/or endorsements, and satisfactory driving record. Must hold, or be able to obtain a valid Commercial Drivers License (CDL) Class A.
• Must successfully meet requirements for respirator use.
• Must be able to work overtime and travel outside the assigned location for extended overnight stays.
• Qualified bidders must be able to respond to their assigned Resource Center within 40 minutes.
• Subject to random drug testing.

Qualification Period (timeframes below are from start of
training for the level):

C2 Level 1: Three calendar months
C2 Level 2: Six calendar months
C2 Level 3: Three calendar months
From entry to fully qualified C2 (Level 3): Twelve calendar months

Training and Wage:

C2
December 2025 Wages
Time in Training Program
Hourly Rate at Hire - In Training 1
38.35
0 months
In Training 2
40.74
6 months
In Training 3
43.14
12 months
Entry
46.02
24 months
Experienced
47.94
36 months

All new hires will start at the Hourly Rate at Hire - In Training 1 rate. This role has a formal training program and time starts on the date of hire for external hires and rehires, or the first day of training for internal hires. The pay steps are outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and are tied to timeframes, not to the completion of training phases or qualifying periods.

Employees may progress from Entry to Experienced Rate after successfully meeting all the conditions described in the CBA and after receiving satisfactory performance evaluations.

In the instance where there are inconsistencies with the language provided here and the CBA, the CBA language will prevail.

What we offer:

Health & Wellness -

• Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution
• Free access to an online wellness resources platform

Work Life Balance -

• Start with 16 PTO Days (Amount varies based on accrued work hours)
• 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays
• 3 weeks paid parental leave
• Green Team / Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council / Safety Team / Women’s Network and many other Employee Resource Groups
• Numerous volunteer and community engagement opportunities

Financial -

• Competitive 401K company contribution and match
• 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program
• Up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement
• Wellness incentive program

Discounts -

• 20% off natural gas service
• Up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center
• TriMet Pass for all HQ employees
• Generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless

Hourly Rate: $38.35

Application Process:To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website.

https://www.nwnatural.com/about-us/the-company/careers

Deadline: 4/14/26

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and we comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. NW Natural participates in E-Verify. Individuals hired will have their Form I-9 information submitted to E-Verify. E-Verify is an Internet-based system that compares information from an employee’s Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, to data from U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Social Security Administration records to confirm employment eligibility.

NW Natural is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates’ diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment with NW Natural. Instead, we make individualized assessments regarding qualifications and backgrounds. NW Natural is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact us at employment@nwnatural.com or (971) 979-6341.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms working under a valid and current written contract with NW Natural valid written Statement of Work in place for this position from NW Natural HR/Employment will be deemed the sole property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.