Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist)
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general direction, to serve as a high-level specialist performing very complex engineering duties requiring specialized knowledge and abilities pertaining to public utilities and transportation regulation; and to do other related work.
Typical Tasks
Performs highly specialized and complex engineering and engineering- related work concerning public utilities and transportation regulation, involving the administration of rate tariffs; prepares service, safety, reliability, and construction standards; develops, reviews, and witnesses test procedures; makes studies of the application of rules and regulations, elements of the cost of service, and estimates of future requirements; develops depreciation, unit costs, taxes, rate base, revenues, expenses, and rate of return/operating ratios associated with rate-making procedures; analyzes proposals for performance-based and incentive rate-making mechanisms for their effect on utility costs, revenue requirements, rates, safety, system reliability and operating efficiency, customer service, the environment, and competition; monitors and assesses the effectiveness of the adopted incentive mechanisms; serves as the division's expert in an assigned subdiscipline of the engineering field; participates as an expert in accidental investigations of utility and transportation facilities; acts as a leadperson in examining and recommending safety measures for railroad and rail transit highway crossings; develops criteria for and conducts onsite safety audits of rail transit system operations; testifies as an expert witness in formal proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission, public interest groups, the regulated industries, and various governmental agencies as well as the Legislature; prepares reports, correspondence, safety oversight plans, and exhibits; oversees and coordinates major long-term special projects; may serve as leadperson over a small group of engineers and other professional/technical staff to complete various program and/or project assignments; conducts workshops, mediates settlement discussions, and makes recommendations for conflict resolution; and advises and confers with the section supervisor, management, Commissioners, and other staff members concerning the work.
Minimum Qualifications
Possession of a valid certificate of registration as an engineer issued by the California State Board of Registration for Professional Engineers. and
Either I
One year of experience in the California state service performing the duties equivalent to those of an associate level engineer or Utilities Engineer, Range D.
Or II
Experience: Five years of professional engineering experience with a gas, electric, telecommunications, water, sewer, steam, or pipeline utility, or railroad or transportation company; or with an industry or firm involving familiarity with the operation of a public utility or a transportation system; or with a transportation or public utility regulatory agency. At least two years of this experience shall have involved independent responsibility for a wide variety of technical engineering investigation and reports equivalent in responsibility to that of an associate level engineer in the California state service.
NOTE: Professional engineering experience is defined as actual work experience gained after graduation from a four-year college or university with a degree in an engineering curriculum.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: California Public Utilities Code and General Orders; trends, issues, State and Federal requirements and basic court decisions affecting public utilities and transportation regulation; traditional rate-making procedures based on the evaluation and analysis of transportation or stationary utility properties including the development of inventories, depreciation, unit costs, taxes, rate base, revenues, expenses, and rate of return/operating ratios as well as performance-based and incentive rate-making mechanisms; financial structure and prescribed accounting classifications; engineering terminology, fundamentals, mathematics, and economics; physical properties of transportation or stationary utilities and standards of service, reliability, and safety; materials and methods of engineering construction; engineering mathematics; procedures of conducting hearings before the California Public Utilities Commission and other regulatory agencies.
Ability to: Establish and maintain project priorities; reason logically and creatively; develop and evaluate alternatives; analyze data and perform research work; analyze situations accurately and take effective action; communicate and negotiate effectively; prepare reports, correspondence, safety oversight plans, and exhibits; translate engineering calculations and analyses into concepts usable by decision-makers; testify on results of completed studies; consult with and advise administrators, decision-makers, and other interested parties on a broad range of subject-matter areas; serve as a leadperson; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.
