Public Utilities Engineer I

Agency

Dept of Commerce

Division

Utilities-Public Staff

Job Classification Title

Public Utilities Engineer I (NS)

Position Number

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.

Description of Work

We are looking for a responsible public service professional to join the Utilities Commission. The role is a regulatory engineering position that provides 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

• 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.

Level Responsibilities

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.

Benefits

• 12 annual paid holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave.
• North Carolina State Health Plan 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.

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

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.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.