Utilities Engineer

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-509804

Position #(s):

680-257-3518-XXX

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:

San Francisco County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Public Advocates Office/ Safety/ Wildfire Safety:

Public Advocates Office (“the organization”) 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.

This position is with the Wildfire Safety Section of the Safety Branch, which represents the Public Advocates Office in safety-related investigations before the Commission, and undertakes deep dive analysis into the practices and procedures of the utilities as they relate to wildfire risk, risk mitigation, and safety.

Please visit our website for more information. Department Website: California Public Advocates Office

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

Job Description And Duties

Individuals 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 Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Utilities Engineer to join its Wildfire Safety team. The Utilities Engineer (UE) will conduct engineering and analytical work within the Public Advocates Office. Under supervision of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Wildfire Safety Section of the Safety Branch, the UE will analyze utility safety issues, with a principal focus on preventing wildfires caused by electric utility equipment. The UE will advocate for efficient and effective programs to avoid harm to the public and reduce the environmental consequences of wildfires. The UE will also participate in enforcement cases related to wildfires, where the Public Advocates Office pushes for outcomes that hold utilities accountable for negligence or mismanagement and that promote safety improvements.

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

The specific duties of this position are as follows:

• Analyze and critique electric utilities’ Wildfire Mitigation Plans.
• Advocate for strong enforcement of safety standards and investigate utility safety failures in proceedings where the Commission considers penalties.
• Collaborate with engineers, policy analysts, and attorneys to develop and write policy recommendations supported by evidence.
• Write testimony, comments, reports, and memoranda to be submitted in proceedings before the Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
• Serve as the technical engineer/analyst and expert witness on utility safety issues, providing in-depth engineering analyses.
• Examine utilities’ safety inspection records, spending records, and audit reports to ensure effective implementation of wildfire safety programs.
• Perform field inspections to assess the effectiveness of wildfire mitigation programs and compliance with safety standards. This may entail occasional overnight travel to visit utility worksites.
• 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 .

Special Requirements

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 qualifies 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 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.

Final Filing Date: 3/10/2026

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see “Special Requirements” for instructions.