STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Public Utilities Engineer 2 (Electrical) (35 Hour)

Reliability, Security, Resilience Unit

Recruitment #211004-6674ES-001

Introduction



Do you have the desire to make a difference on a new and dynamic team? 
If so, we have the opportunity for you! 

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) currently has an opening to join our new and exciting team focused on the regulation and oversight of utility programs and initiatives as a Public Utilities Engineer 2. This position will be conveniently located in central Connecticut at Ten Franklin Square in New Britain, CT. This position will be 35 hours per week. 

About Us: 

At the State of Connecticut, DEEP, we are dedicated to conserving, improving, and protecting our natural resources and the environment; and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner, and more reliable energy. 

PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state's cable television companies. Ensuring affordable and reliable service from these sectors is critical to maintaining public health and safety and a thriving economy in the state of Connecticut. 

PURA is statutorily charged with regulating many aspects of Connecticut's utility sector, including but not limited to: 
  • Ensuring the prudence of electric system modernization, natural gas system expansion and water system infrastructure investments; 
  • Reviewing mergers and acquisitions in all the above regulated sectors; 
  • Conducting periodic utility rate cases; 
  • Overseeing service quality, safety and investment for the state's telecommunication infrastructure; 
  • Implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety. 
Position Highlights: 

The Public Utilities Engineer 2 will be responsible for performing complex, electric industry assignments within the PURA's Reliability, Security, and Resilience Unit, house in the Office of Utility Programs and Initiatives. The person in this role may be expected to lead other technical staff in the context of specific projects or proceedings. 

The selected candidate will play a crucial role on upcoming assignments associated with PURA's implementation of its Equitable Modern Grid Initiative and key portions of Public Act 20-5, known as the "Take Back Our Grid" Act, including but not limited to, investigations into the utilities' preparation for and response to major storm events; a deep dive into the distribution interconnection procedures employed by the electric utilities; and inspections and audits into the reliability, resilience and security programs of regulated electric utilities. 

What we can offer you: 

State of Connecticut employees participate in a competitive benefits plan that includes: 
  • Excellent health and dental coverage; 
  • A generous retirement plan; 
  • Paid time off; 
  • A healthy work - life balance!
Learn more about how you can make an impact
               

Selection Plan

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders 13F (3a) and 13G (3a) .

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date, unless otherwise specified.


The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

During the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation supporting their qualification(s) for this position. These documents may include: performance reviews, supervisory references, college transcripts, licensure, etc. at the discretion of the agency. 

Please ensure that your application is complete. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the state of Connecticut. 

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Tyler Cashman at Tyler.Cashman@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for independently conducting and evaluating complex engineering studies and investigations of the plant, equipment, facilities, and services of the respective utility companies to ensure customer needs are adequately met and equity is achieved among customer, societal, and corporate interests.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Reviews proposed method and manner of construction for transmission lines; inspects completed construction; grants final approval; witnesses and verifies meter accuracy tests; establishes and ensures compliance with voltage variation specifications; reviews and evaluates various issues involving nuclear, hydro, and fossil fuel generation; cross-examines expert and utility company witnesses regarding depreciation studies, cost of services studies, capital budgeting for respective utility company facilities, and operation/maintenance of utility plants at public hearings; reviews depreciation studies; cost of service studies, detailed utility company project submittals, and utility company policy and practices for cross-examination; ensures that all cross-examination creates an evidentiary record as a basis for a legally sufficient decision; authors engineering portions of decisions and orders; acts as representative of agency at public meetings, state, regional, and federal committees and councils; develops, drafts, and interprets statutes and regulations; provides technical support to commissioners, management, audit, and consumer-assistance divisions and others; examines exhibits and reports submitted by utility companies; inspects and makes independent reports on utility plants and equipment; investigates accidents involving utility plant and equipment; conducts field surveys of accident location; interviews witnesses; prepares detailed reports of investigations; recommends action for elimination of dangerous conditions or practices; investigates and analyzes utility companies proposals to transfer ownership and to dispose of or lease real property; monitors and investigates various operations of utility companies; oversees projects of a complex and difficult nature; oversees, assists and trains engineers of lower grade as assigned; may make recommendations on policies or standards; may prepare reports and correspondence; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of principles, practices, and engineering standards of the respective utility operations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze and evaluate: technical engineering matters, construction budgeting and economic forecasting of the respective utility, depreciation studies, and cost of service studies; ability to utilize computer software; ability to prepare concise reports.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in the field of Electrical engineering.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

The preceding experience must have included two (2) years in one of the following areas:

A. Utility company operations experience, such as: Field service, distribution, transmission, engineering, codes and standards, or regulation.

B. Management audit of the respective utility operations described in (A).

C. Utility company regulation.

D. Experience totaling one (1) year in at least two of the following areas:

Preparation of depreciation studies, or technical critiquing and report writing on such studies.

Preparation of detailed cost of service studies, or technical critiquing and report writing on such studies.

Preparation of studies of appropriate installations, including determination of required capital improvements and report writing, or technical critiquing and report writing on such studies. Appropriate installations are:

Development of engineering safety codes or recommended practices for appropriate installations, or development of operating procedures to comply with such codes or practices.

- Electrical

Development of engineering safety codes or recommended practices for appropriate installations, or development of operating procedures to comply with such codes or practices.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training in the respective disciplines outlined under General Experience may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. For State Employees one (1) year as a Public Utilities Engineer 1 in the area indicated by the parenthetical title may be substituted for the General and Special Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

The preferred candidate will possess:
  • Experience working with governmental regulation of public utilities principles and practices; 
  • Experience with standard equipment, operating methods and practices of providing electric distribution, generation and transmission services; 
  • Experience working on grid modernization, clean and renewable energy, cybersecurity, and/or utility reliability and resilience programs; 
  • Experience with technical writing for audiences of varying expertise; 
  • Experience working with regulatory agency policies and procedures; 
  • Experience interacting with and explaining information to multiple departments, agencies and other outside officials through phone, email, virtual platform, and face-to-face contact; 
  • Experience managing multiple projects, identifying problems and making decisions independently; 
  • Experience working in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including SharePoint and Teams. 

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.