The Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist) to join its Safety Policy team.
The Senior Utilities Engineer (SUE) will conduct engineering and analytical work within the Public Advocates Office. Under supervision of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Safety Policy Section of the Safety Branch, the SUE will analyze utility safety issues, with a principal focus on utility safety culture and on de-energization policy. The SUE will advocate for efficient, transparent, and effective programs to improve energy utility safety, while avoiding harm to the public and reducing the environmental consequences of catastrophic safety incidents. The SUE will also participate in enforcement cases related to wildfires or other safety incidents, where the Public Advocates Office promotes safety improvements and pushes for outcomes that hold utilities accountable for negligence or mismanagement.
In addition, the SUE 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 SUE may work on general rate case proceedings and perform relevant economic and policy analysis.
The specific duties of this position are as follows:
- Serve as lead technical engineer/analyst on utility safety issues (primarily safety culture issues and de-energization policy) and provide in-depth analyses. Perform thorough analysis and make recommendations to management for regulatory solutions.
- Analyze and critique electric and gas utilities’ safety culture filings.
- Analyze and critique filings and reporting relating electric utilities’ safety related de-energization programs and policies.
- Advocate for strong enforcement of safety standards and investigate utility safety failures in proceedings where the Commission considers penalties.
- Plan and execute complex projects to ensure timely completion.
- Occasionally lead small teams of analysts and engineers, coordinating the work of several engineers, policy analysts, and attorneys.
- Collaborate with engineers, policy analysts, and attorneys to develop and write policy recommendations supported by evidence.
- Write testimony, comments, reports, and memoranda to be submitted in proceedings before the Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
- Examine utilities’ safety inspection records, spending records, and audit reports to ensure effective implementation of utility safety programs.
- Perform field inspections to assess the effectiveness of safety culture improvement programs and compliance with safety standards. This may entail occasional overnight travel to visit utility worksites.
- Represent the Public Advocates Office in conferences, workshops, and other forums.
- Other job-related duties as required, including travel.
