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Mar 11, 2026

Utilities Engineer (JC-510945) - Public Advocates Office/ Safety/ Safety Policy

Full time Engineering Government Strategy-Planning

Job Description

Position Details

Job Code #:

JC-510945

Position #(s):

680-257-3518-002

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:

Sacramento County

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

The Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Utilities Engineer to join its Safety Policy 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 Safety Policy Section of the Safety Branch, the UE will analyze utility safety issues, with a principal focus on utility safety culture and on de-energization policy. The UE will advocate for efficient, transparent, and effective programs to improve energy utility safety, while avoiding harm to the public and reducing the environmental consequences of catastrophic safety incidents. The UE will also participate in proceedings before the Commission related to utility safety incidents, including wildfire cost recovery proceedings, where the Public Advocates Office promotes safety improvements and pushes for outcomes that hold utilities accountable for negligence or mismanagement.
 
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 and natural gas 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:
  • Serve as a technical engineer/analyst on utility safety issues (primarily safety culture issues and de-energization policy) and provide in-depth analyses. Perform thorough analysis and make recommendations to management for regulatory solutions.
  • Analyze and critique electric and gas utilities’ safety culture filings.
  • Analyze and critique filings and reporting relating electric utilities’ safety related de-energization programs and policies.
  • 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 for internal use or to be submitted in proceedings before the Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
  • Examine utilities’ safety inspection records, spending records, and audit reports to ensure effective implementation of utility safety programs.
  • Perform field inspections to assess the effectiveness of safety culture improvement 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.

Working Conditions

This advertisement is listed specifically for Sacramento (LA, SF, SAC) location.  All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

  • Los Angeles location, please apply to JC# 510947
  • San Francisco location, please apply to JC# 510909

Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This position requires travel.

This is a hybrid position that will require the selected candidate to report to their assigned headquarter office a minimum of two (2) days a week. Hybrid positions may be eligible for telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. In accordance with CPUC Telework Policy, telework arrangements are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.
California Public Utilities Commission
About California Public Utilities Commission

 

The CPUC regulates services and utilities, protects consumers, safeguards the environment, and assures Californians' access to safe and reliable utility infrastructure and services. The essential services regulated include electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water, railroad, rail transit, and passenger transportation companies. We have a diverse, hard-working team and are looking for great talent!

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