Senior Utilities Engineer; Specialist - Public Advocates Office​/Safety​/Safety Policy

Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist)

The Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist) to join its Safety Policy team. Under the supervision of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Safety Policy Section of the Safety Branch, you will conduct engineering and analytical work focused primarily on safety culture and de‑energization policy. You will advocate for efficient, transparent, and effective programs to improve energy utility safety, while reducing harm to the public and limiting environmental consequences of catastrophic safety incidents.

You will also participate in enforcement cases related to wildfires or other safety incidents, holding utilities accountable for negligence or mismanagement.

In addition, you may perform a wide variety of engineering and analytical assignments related to risk mitigation and safety of utility infrastructure in the electric, gas, telecommunications, and water sectors, and may work on general rate‑case proceedings and perform relevant economic and policy analysis.

• Serve as lead technical engineer/analyst on utility safety issues and provide in‑depth analyses, making recommendations for regulatory solutions.
• Analyze and critique electric and gas utilities’ safety culture filings.
• Analyze and critique filings and reporting relating to electric utilities’ safety‑related de‑energization programs and policies.
• Advocate for strong enforcement of safety standards and investigate utility safety failures in proceedings considering penalties.
• Plan and execute complex projects to ensure timely completion.
• Occasionally lead small teams of analysts and engineers, coordinating work across 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 for 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 safety programs.
• Perform field inspections to assess effectiveness of safety culture improvement programs and compliance with safety standards, including occasional overnight travel.
• Represent the Public Advocates Office in conferences, workshops, and other forums.
• Other job‑related duties as required, including travel.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

• Sacramento – apply to JC#491686
• San Francisco – apply to JC#491676

Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This position requires travel.

This is a hybrid position that will require the selected candidate to report to their assigned headquarters office a minimum of two (2) days a week. Hybrid positions may be eligible for telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. In accordance with CPUC Telework Policy, telework arrangements are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.

Prepare and submit a response for each question below. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate how your training, experience, and education qualify you for the position. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored.

All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. The SOQ must be no smaller than 11‑point Arial font, single‑spaced, and no more than two pages.

Please write your SOQ to address the following three questions:

• Please describe your experience conducting engineering analysis to identify problems and recommend effective solutions.
• Please describe your experience in analyzing data and performing risk assessments, including using spreadsheets and other quantitative tools to analyze data and visualize results.
• Please describe your experience writing clear, persuasive, and concise recommendations, including the ability to explain research findings and policy recommendations to lay audiences.