Ameren Gas Journeyman Explains Job and Natural Gas Safety Tips

Our Daily Show Interview! Jake Dukett- Ameren IL: A Day in the Life of a Gas Journeyman

ILLINOIS - An Ameren gas journeyman explains how the job works — and when customers should call for help.

Jake Dukett, Supervisor of Public Awareness, loves his job as a gas journeyman and encourages others to consider the career. But most importantly, he breaks down what to do if you smell natural gas.

“If you smell gas, leave fast,” he said. “What that slogan means is, even if there's a doubt, you’re not sure, not 100% — when in doubt, get out, get to a safe location down the street, call 911, call Ameren, and get us out there as soon as possible.”

Dukett explained that natural gas in its raw form is an odorless, colorless gas. Ameren adds a chemical that makes it smell like rotten eggs. The smell is “definitely very distinctive” and can be detected at a low level. This is to ensure that people smell it and react quickly.

If you smell gas, Dukett urges you to exit the building or home and move a few blocks down the street. You should call 911 and then Ameren at 800-755-5000. Ameren’s gas journeymen will immediately come out to investigate, and this service is completely free.

As part of this investigation, the crew will first undergo a job briefing so they understand what they’re walking into. Then, they will arrive at the premises and make sure everyone is safe before they begin their work.

“Investigating a gas leak when somebody calls us, that always brings a certain level of interest to it because it’s a lot of troubleshooting,” Dukett shared. “Once we’ve deemed that it’s safe to be inside — or, if it’s a hazardous environment, we get everybody out — then you just start at ground one. Where is the gas coming from? We start tracking pipes. We look at appliances. We’ll start poking holes in the ground outside, see if it’s migrating outside somewhere. There’s just a lot of different directions you can really take.”

This is partly why the job is so interesting to Dukett, and why he encourages other people to consider the career. He explained that Ameren offers a 27-month apprenticeship, during which aspiring gas journeymen will learn more about appliances and various trades.

He noted that the environment changes every day. While inclement weather can be a downside, most people enjoy spending the time outside or in new locations. Additionally, he believes it’s “rewarding” to work with Ameren customers and meet new people at every job site.

“The plus side of it is just the community involvement. It’s learning a trade. It’s not just learning the trade of working with natural gas. You’re going to learn a little bit about pipefitting. You’re going to learn a little bit about how to run equipment. You’re going to learn a little bit about HVAC,” he explained. “If you’re an individual who loves to work with your hands and you like a change of environment every day, then hands-down, this is a great job to be in.”

For more information about the gas journeyman career path, visit the official Ameren website. Dukett encourages people to reach out if they want to learn more about the apprenticeship program, as he believes it’s a fantastic opportunity.

“The environment is always changing, and you get the satisfaction and the acknowledgement of building something,” he added. “You’re powering and enabling those customers to be able to have that gas into their house, to be able to heat and cook and all that stuff.”

Dukett reminds people to call 811 before you dig and to call Ameren at 800-755-5000 if you ever suspect a gas leak. He emphasized that the company wants to keep people safe, and they’ll come out immediately to make sure all is well.

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