Utilities Engineer (JC-471099) - Public Advocates Office/ Safety Branch/ Safety Analysis Section

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility.  If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to this classification, please Click here to open the examination bulletin and follow the instructions on “How to apply”.   

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.  Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit. 

The Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Utilities Engineer to join its Safety Analysis team.

The Utilities Engineer (UE) will conduct engineering and analytical work within the Public Advocates Office. Under supervision of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Safety Analysis Section of the Safety Branch, the UE will analyze utility safety issues, with a principal focus on gas utility or electric utility infrastructure safety. The UE will also participate in enforcement cases related to gas and electrical infrastructure, where the Public Advocates Office pushes for outcomes that hold utilities accountable for negligence or mismanagement and that promote safety improvements.

In addition, the UE may perform a wide variety of engineering and analytical assignments related to the risk mitigation and safety of utility infrastructure in the electric, gas, telecommunications, and water sectors. The UE may work on general rate case proceedings and perform relevant economic and policy analysis.

The specific duties of this position are as follows:

• Advocate for strong enforcement of safety standards and investigate utility safety failures, in proceedings where the Commission considers penalties.
• Write testimony, comments, reports, protests, and memoranda to be submitted in proceedings before the Commission.
• Serve as the technical engineer/analyst and expert witness on utility safety issues, providing in-depth engineering analyses.
• Collaborate with engineers, policy analysts, and attorneys to develop and write policy recommendations supported by evidence.
• Examine utilities' safety inspection records, spending records, and audit reports to ensure effective implementation of safety programs.
• Perform field inspections to assess utility compliance with safety standards. This may entail occasional overnight travel to visit utility worksites.
• Provide policy analysis and recommendations to management on a variety of regulatory issues related to utility safety, infrastructure projects, cyber-security, and general rate case proceedings.
• Represent the Public Advocates Office in conferences, workshops, and other forums.
• Other job-related duties as required, including travel.

CLICK HERE to share with the California Public Utilities Commission how you first learned about this position, this will assist us in our recruitment efforts.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This advertisement is listed specifically for Los Angeles (LA, SF, SAC) location. All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

• Sacramento location, please apply to JC# 471098

• San Francisco location, please apply to JC# 471092

Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This position requires travel.

Positions at the CPUC may be eligible for telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, and subject to meeting the telework eligibility criteria. Telework Policy CalHR