Utilities Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-515287

Position #(s):

680-251-3518-001

Working Title:

Utilities Engineer

Classification:

UTILITIES ENGINEER

$6,488.00 - $12,152.00

Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit CalHR’s Personnel Leave Program (PLP) page.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

Los Angeles County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Public Advocates Office/Energy Cost of Service & Natural Gas / Natural Gas

The Public Advocates Office is the independent consumer advocate within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Public Advocates Office's mandate is to obtain the lowest possible rates for utility services consistent with reliable and safe service levels, and the state’s environmental goals.

The Public Advocates Office represents residential and small business ratepayer interests in Commission proceedings and processes (e.g. workshops, rulemakings, investigations, utility applications, hearings, advice letters, committee and stakeholder meetings, and other forums). These proceedings and processes set rates, rules, policies, and regulations.

Please visit www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov for more information on the Public Advocates Office.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/

Job Description And Duties

I ndividuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility. If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to this classification, please Click Here to open the examination bulletin and follow the instructions on “How to apply”.

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy. Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit.

The Energy Cost of Service and Natural Gas Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Utilities Engineer to join its Natural Gas Section. Under supervision of the Program and Project Supervisor, the incumbent will perform engineering analyses and develop advocacy recommendations in written and oral testimony or comments on a broad range of natural gas utility matters. These include gas system operations, infrastructure planning, safety-related engineering issues, and cost-of-service evaluations. A major component of the UE’s workload will involve the review of gas utilities infrastructure, operational risk, and safety-related engineering issues. The UE will be responsible for conducting detailed engineering assessments, system modeling, and operational assumptions. This work requires engineering judgment, quantitative evaluation of gas system reliability, and technical review of physical infrastructure proposals. The incumbent will also review, develop studies and make appropriate recommendations relating to capital costs, operations and maintenance of Natural Gas activities. In addition, the UE will , as needed, perform a wide variety of engineering assignments in connection with Natural Gas transmission, and distribution infrastructure projects. The incumbent may work on a General Rate Case proceeding on Natural Gas or other issues and will review the proposed application for deficiencies, drafting deficiency letters, identifying key issue areas, field investigations, publication and distribution of staff reports. The incumbent prepares reports and responses to sensitive and controversial inquiries related to Natural Gas issues. The position requires an ability to work well in a team environment as well as independently under tight time schedules.

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