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 rates charged and adequacy of service provided by any public utility and with respect to the consistency with the public policy of assuring an energy supply adequate to protect the public health and safety. The Public Staff shall intervene on behalf of the using and consuming public in all Commission proceedings affecting rates or service.

The Public Staff will also:

• Petition the Commission to initiate proceedings when in the public interest;
• Participate in all certificate applications and assist the Commission in analysis;
• Make recommendations to the Commission with respect to standards, regulations, or practices;
• Investigate formal and informal complaints affecting the using and consuming public;
• Participate in all proceedings for franchise transfers, mergers, and consolidations of public utilities;
• Review, investigate, and recommend action to the Commission regarding affiliate contracts.

About the Department of Commerce
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.

Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

NC Department of Commerce uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals.

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Transcripts may be attached to supplement education and work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work.

Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. 

"Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitution for a complete application."

We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process and throughout employment.  Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date.

Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.

Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

Our Agency uses the OSHR Recruiting and Posting of Vacancies Policy to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment.

**PLEASE NOTE**  It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Please make sure you complete the application in full.   Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include all work experience, the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the graduation date, and certificates/licenses.  

Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.  

***INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGNATED EDUCATION AND WORK HISTORY SECTION ON THE FORMAL APPLICATION***

Attached or incorporated resumes (including Text resumes on the application form) WILL NOT be accepted in lieu of completing this application and WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit.  "See Resume" or “See Attachment" within the fillable application sections WILL NOT be accepted and will be considered an incomplete application and will not be processed.

Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit.  Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the application form.   For additional information about applications and processes with the state of NC, please visit:  How Do I Get the Job.

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript. If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.

Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals
Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated.  Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.

By providing the requested information, you certify that you have given true, accurate and complete information on this attachment to the best of your knowledge. In the event confirmation is needed in connection with your work, you authorize educational institutions, associations, registration and licensing boards, and others to furnish whatever detail is available concerning your qualifications. You authorize investigation of all statements made in this application and understand that false information or documentation, or a failure to disclose relevant information may be grounds for rejection of your application, disciplinary action or dismissal if you are employed, and(or) criminal action. You further understand that dismissal upon employment shall be mandatory if fraudulent disclosures are given to meet position qualifications (Authority: GS 126-30, GS 14- 122.1).

Minimum Education and Experience

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 Education and Experience Equivalency Guide for details.

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.

Recruiter:

Maxine Anderson

Recruiter Email:

MANDERSON@NCUC.GOV