Public Utilities Engineer I

Agency Dept of Commerce Division Utilities-Public Staff Job Classification Title Public Utilities Engineer I (NS) Position Number 60081074 Grade NC17 About Us The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity. Description of Work Are you looking for meaningful public service work that will positively impact the residents of North Carolina? If your answer is yes, we want you to join our team at the Utilities Commission. The Department of Commerce, Division of Public Staff Utilities Commission, is looking for an Public Utilities Engineer I. The primary purpose of this regulatory engineering position is to fulfill the Public Staff's legislative mandate by providing technical engineering expertise and expert opinions to the Director of the Water, Sewer, Transportation and Telephone Division, as well as to the Public Staff's Executive Director and other division directors and staff within the Public Staff, regarding a wide range of water and wastewater utility issues. Division responsibilities include: • Review of utility companies’ proposals for changes in operation or rates; utilities response to federal and state regulations. • Review special studies. • Preparation and delivery of expert engineering testimony at hearings before the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) on major portions of utility companies’ proposals. At the Public Utilities Engineer I level, the engineer performs responsibilities on utility filings of a limited to moderate degree of complexity and scope with a moderate to high level of supervision by the Division Director. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement. Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include: • 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave. • North Carolina State Health Plan currently administered by Aetna. • Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision. • NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans. • WeSave Employee Discounts. • Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits Note to Current State Employees The salary grade for this position is NC17. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon those factors, a pay increase MAY result. Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences Recruitment Range: $60,881 - $75,000 Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above Management Preferences - Optional: These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies Demonstrated basic knowledge or ability to acquire knowledge of engineering principles and practices as applied to the design, permitting, construction, operation, maintenance,expansion of wells, water treatment plants, water distribution systems, wastewater treatment plants, or wastewater collection systems. Demonstrated basic knowledge or ability to acquire knowledge of rates and rate structure of public utilities. Demonstrated experience or ability to critically analyze technical filings of public utilities and formulate discovery to better understand the filings. Demonstrated experience or ability to communicate, in written and oral expert testimony, detailed engineering information, guidelines and standards/statutes/codes/regulations to various audiences. Demonstrated ability to conduct research, draw conclusions, and prepare reports on water and wastewater utility filings and proposals; and an ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective relationships with other outside entities.   Education and Experience Requirements APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.  Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the  OSHR Guide  for details. Bachelor's degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and 2 years of experience in utilities operation or regulatory work; Or An equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Qualification May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors. Supplemental and Contact Information The Public Staff is an independent agency created in 1977 to review, investigate, and make appropriate recommendations to the North Carolina Utilities Commission with respect to the reasonableness of ra