PUC Jobs Board

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement:

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business need.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.

• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!

• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.

• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Tuition assistance program.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating energy and water utilities and facilities, telecommunications, transportation, gas pipeline safety, and rail and transit safety so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state. This requires balancing the needs of customers and the aforementioned regulated entities.

The Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Program (PSP) is charged with confirming compliance with and enforcing the State's intrastate gas pipeline safety regulations to provide public safety to the citizens of Colorado.

PSP acts as a pipeline safety advocate to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, for the residents of Colorado and the gas pipeline industry. PSP operates and upholds the standards under the Federal Authority of United States Department of Transportation and its Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, known as PHMSA.

The PUC follows national standards and inspects and monitors intrastate gas pipeline system operators under the review of PHMSA. Regulated facilities include transmission, distribution, gathering, master metered operators, liquefied natural gas and liquefied propane gas systems.

Position: SGA 5170

This position exists to conduct inspection of pipeline operator maintenance and construction jobs, participates and share lessons learned in damage prevention discussions in areas of higher pipeline damage, participate in regional Damage Prevention Councils, review excavation damage metrics from available Colorado 811 and PUC data, perform public awareness program evaluations, and assist staff in presentations to the affected stakeholders. In addition, this position has administrative responsibilities involving auditable documentation required by the work unit to determine the compliance or non-compliance of the operators/contractors assigned to this position and work group guidelines.

• Auditing jurisdictional pipeline operators’ procedures, processes, and records to verify compliance with applicable pipeline safety regulations;

• Identifying areas of non-compliance/deficiency and initiates appropriate course of remedy such as: Operator training, information requests, follow-up inspection, and/or compliance action;

• Inspecting pipeline operator facilities, observing field operations, maintenance, and construction activities to verify compliance;

• Responding to pipeline incidents, gathering information regarding the incident, and determining necessary steps to be taken to respond, documenting all decisions and actions, and jurisdictional considerations;

• Monitoring local and national pipeline safety topics, researching and analyzing Colorado-specific pipeline data, participating in national pipeline safety organizations, and making recommendations to supervisors on safety standards, priorities, processes, and guidelines;

• Providing on-site operator training through multiple formats, which includes, but is not limited to,

informal discussions about PSP inspection goals and initiatives and invitations from operators to clarify and detail expectations, nuances of state and federal rules, and programmatic initiatives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience

• Six (6) years of full-time professional* work experience in oil and gas inspection, safety compliance industry, public sector, and/or in a government agency including experience with auditing, quality control, and/or investigating transit-related work (i.e accidents, incidents, occurrences, and hazards).

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience

• Associate’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in applied science, mathematics, engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental policy, environmental studies, natural resource management, public health, political science, or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Four (4) years of full-time professional* work experience in oil and gas inspection, safety compliance industry, public sector, and/or in a government agency, including experience with auditing, quality control, and/or investigating transit-related work (i.e accidents, incidents, occurrences, and hazards).

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in applied science, mathematics, engineering, civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental policy, environmental studies, natural resource management, public health, political science, or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Two (2) years of full-time professional* work experience in oil and gas inspection, safety compliance industry, public sector, and/or in a government agency, including experience with auditing, quality control, and/or investigating transit-related work (i.e accidents, incidents, occurrences, and hazards).

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree. A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Five (5) or more years of experience working in the gas and/or oil industries, and/or with a gas and/or oil regulatory government agency;

• Demonstrated state government experience working to support a public safety program by ensuring compliance with program safety standards;

• Demonstrated experience in reading, understanding, interpreting and applying, and explaining laws, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Experience working with and knowledge of the industries and entities regulated by the PUC (i.e. energy and water utilities and facilities, telecommunications, transportation, gas pipeline safety, and rail-and-transit safety, etc.);

• Completed U.S. DOT Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Administration (PHMSA) training, Qualification (TQ) certification, and/or computer-based training (CBT) through the federal pipeline safety program;

• Demonstrated experience conducting audits of written programs to ensure compliance with regulations;

• Pipeline compliance experience, including completing compliance follow-up as necessary to achieve operator compliance with pipeline safety regulations;

• Demonstrated experience documenting operator and system parameters affecting compliance and risk (e.g., maps, operating pressures, pipeline vintage, operating characteristics, state of compliance programs, etc.);

• Demonstrated experience performing field verification inspections on units based on GPS and section identification of areas of concern/increased risk/emerging issues;

• Master’s degree in civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering, environmental science, environmental policy, or public health.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;

• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;

• Demonstrated attention to detail;

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate evidence and applicable information in order to apply knowledge and identify the level of compliance;

• Sound judgment and the ability to determine the appropriate course of action on a routine basis;

• Interpersonal skills, including the ability to collaborate with various stakeholders;

• Knowledge of the state and federal pipeline safety regulations, pipeline safety program guidelines, Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, and/or PHMSA regulations;

• Ability to identify emerging issues, anticipate trends, and provide recommendations on strategies to minimize risk impacts;

• Ability to conduct research and gather pertinent information;

• Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;

• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;

• Ability to represent the department and the PUC in a positive, professional, objective manner, and support a positive workplace environment;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;

• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;

• Integrity and high ethical standards;

• Accountability, reliability, including attendance;

• Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;

• Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;

• Demonstrated professional demeanor;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, Slides, etc).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.

  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information,etc.

  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.

• Applicants must possess and maintain a valid State of Colorado driver's license and the ability and willingness to travel independently. You must include your State of Colorado driver's license number on your application in order to be considered. Travel is required up to 25% of the time, including traveling overnight and staying out over weekends when required.

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Part of the comparative analysis process and/or the interview process may be conducted through remote video conferencing (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness. Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dora_adacoordinator@state.co.us.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.