Energy/Utilities Engineer 3

Description

WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Respect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability. Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 Help protect the consumers of Washington state!

Salary Consideration:

Range 67, Step A ($82,872)

• Step L ($108,780) annually.

The starting employment offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications. Typically Step M of the pay range is a longevity step. This recruitment is open until April 22, 2026, at 11:59pm. UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. Applications for this recruitment could be used to fill comparable positions that open within the next 60 days.

The Opportunity:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of an Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 position within the Energy Transformation Section of the Regulatory Services Division . This advanced position contributes to the commission's statewide public safety engineering programs in telecommunication matters that involve services, resource acquisitions, along with planning and deployment to ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules. The Energy Transformation Section provides regulatory oversight of seven (7) electric and natural gas utilities serving approximately 3 million customers in Washington State with annual revenues exceeding $4.5 billion.

Hybrid :

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed.

Travel :

Moderate travel during and outside normal work hours throughout the state or country may be required.

Who We Are:

Our Mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, available, reliable, and fairly priced. Our Vision is to strive to achieve equitable and fair outcomes as a regulator of utility and transportation services and prioritize inclusion and belonging in the workplace. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington State. We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency's success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website.

What We Offer Our Employees:

UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve. We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities. Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan. Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

Our Values:

Respect

• We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill. Professionalism
• We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct. Integrity
• We do the right things for the right reasons
• trusting others to do the same.

How to

Apply :

Interested in joining the UTC team? Click the Apply button at the top to begin! We only consider candidates for further screening if the following documents are attached to your completed application packet. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.

References:

At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses. One (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor. The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments

• letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process.

Please note , see resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or supplemental questionnaire. Duties What you'll do: Reporting to the Energy Transformation Deputy Director, the Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 (E/UE 3) investigates, evaluates, and analyzes potentially interrelated engineering, legal, policy, and technical aspects of tariff revisions, industry and company processes, commission policies, and/or other filings made by telecommunications companies. This role serves as the agency's principal technical expert and staff resource on telecommunications engineering including emerging technologies and compliance with rules and regulations, programs, laws, regulatory principles, tariffs and other requirements of the commission. The E/UE 3 also monitors quality of service outage reports submitted by telecommunication companies to verify that they meet UTC service standards and investigates service quality problems as required by statute and provides technical assistance to companies to ensure they understand those service quality standards. This position provides technology analysis direction, assistance, and coordination at the state and federal level on engineering and/or policy issues relating to the public switched telephone network and newer packet-switched IP-based technology. The E/U3 also understands cybersecurity best practices for the telecommunication industry. The incumbent assists Commissioners, policy staff and other UTC departments with the technical aspects of New Generation services in responding to state and federal issues such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Radio Frequency Interference, National Electrical Safety Code and standards, etc. Additional duties include, but aren't limited to the following: Develops and presents staff recommendations to the commission related to new or emerging technologies in the field of telecommunications. Proposes or assists other staff (policy, assistant attorney generals, consumer protection) in proposing industry best practices and policy statements. Provides written and oral testimony in formal hearings before the UTC and serves as an engineering consultant for the Commissioners (policy support) and to support staff's legal position by clarifying pertinent technical issues. Prepares and presents presentations to the commission regarding staff recommendations for commission action primarily related to new or emerging technologies in the field of telecommunications to provide technical support for the Commissioners as well as management, and other staff (Regulatory Services, policy, Consumer Affairs, ALJs, and AGs) within the commission Provides technology analysis direction, assistance and coordination at the state and federal level on engineering and/or policy issues relating to the public switched telephone network and newer packet-switched IP-based technology. Assists Commissioners, policy staff and other UTC departments with the technical aspects of New Generation services in responding to state and federal issues such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Radio Frequency Interference, National Electrical Safety Code and standards, etc. Reviews telecommunication pole attachments to ensure compliance with the state's regulations and in accordance with industry standard code and safety rules. Negotiates, discusses and recommends solutions and/or terms regarding complex complaints, company programs and service quality, contested issues, and other concerns with regulated companies; customers and/or consumers, and other parties or stakeholders. Provides external representation on industry task forces or panels relating to telecommunication issues, maintains technical proficiency and communicates commission positions to outside groups.

Qualifications Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree with major study in engineering or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent. Two (2) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in telecommunications, utilities, energy, or regulatory oversight. At least one (1) year of experience must include the design, construction, or maintenance of radio or wire communications systems. An advanced degree in one of these fields listed above may substitute for one (1) year of desired experience. OR Six (6) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in utilities, energy, or regulatory oversight in telecommunications, with an emphasis in legacy networks (Public Switched Telephone Network, T1), wireless networks (mobile radio 4G LTE and 5G, and high-speed fiber optic networks or alternative technological solutions. Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities in:

Telecommunications:

In addition to the ability to use information technology resources effectively, the incumbent must have advanced knowledge of: Engineering and technical developments in the telecommunications industry, such as packet-switched telephony, Signaling System Seven (SS7), telephone switch operations, telephone number portability and outside plants. Major national or international design standards in telecommunications, such as BellCore, COCAG; SmartGrid Security and Privacy, Electric Power Research Institute, NESC, Internet Engineering Task Force. Major national or international telecommunications transport standards such as Integrated Services Digital Network, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Multiprotocol Label Switching, Ethernet, Synchronous Optical Network. All facets of the telecommunications industry and the business interests of both regulated and non-regulated providers.

Core Competencies:

Customer Focus

• Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customers to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback. Results Focus
• Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards. Communication Skills
• Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications. Adaptability/Flexibility
• Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs. Self-Development
• Demonstrates proactive learning.

Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeking developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities. Demonstration of EDI Competencies (expected of all employees) : The ability to take action to learn and grow. The ability to take action to meet the needs of others. DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees) : Accountability DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment Self-Awareness and Commitment to

Growth Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships Inclusive Excellence & Allyship Measuring Success and Improvement Customer Focus Results Focus Communication Skills Adaptability/Flexibility Self-Development Continuous Process Improvement Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities :

One or a combination of the following: An advanced degree in electrical engineering, civil, computer, network, telecommunications, mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering. Three (3) or more years' experience in a team or project management capacity.

Knowledge of:

Principles, practices, methods, terminology, and emerging trends in wireline communications systems engineering, as well as mobile and microwave radio communications engineering, including radio frequency allocation, electromagnetic wave propagation, radio field strength measurement, and applicable performance standards and tolerances. Theory and operation of telephone, data telegraph and teletype systems. NESC and other engineering standards Engineering economics. FCC rules and regulations. Traffic handling procedures. Procedures used in regulatory hearings and effective organizational methods.

Experience in:

Developing short

• and long-range plans; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex data.

Participating in quasi-judicial, evidentiary, and quasi-legislative proceedings, particularly as practiced at UTC. Collaborating with government agencies, elected officials, commission staff, Commissioners, attorneys, industry representatives and the public. Applying regulatory theory and practice within current and emerging regulatory environment, including knowledge of statutes, decisions, and innovative regulatory approaches in other jurisdictions. Negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes or policy goals in contested or controversial situations; understanding and communicating the interests of consumers and providers; building internal and external support for telecommunications recommendations to the Commissioners. Leading and implementing innovations and changes necessary to continuously improve agency processes. Working in and/or leading teams of professionals in multiple disciplines; mentoring, coaching, encouraging and providing constructive feedback to junior staff. Demonstrating knowledge of major policy, technical and operation issues in telecommunications. Supplemental Information

READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY

This position is represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE). This position is exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting. If you have gotten this far and are thinking you do not qualify, consider again! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At the UTC, we are dedicated to building a diverse and authentic workplace centered in belonging. If you are excited about this role but your experience does not align perfectly with every qualification in the job description, we encourage you to apply anyway. You may just be the candidate needed for this or other roles. All information may be verified; additional documentation may be required. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job. The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation. Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. For more information about the UTC, please visit: www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautc

The State of Washington:

http://access.wa.gov