Senior Utilities Engineer (specialist)

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.

Under general direction of the Project and Program Supervisor, the Senior Energy Utilities Engineer will support the IRP Transmission & Interconnection section in the development of work products that are used to advise and assist high-level decision-makers such as Commissioners, Judges, and Energy Division management. The Senior Energy Utilities Engineer will lead projects related to integrated resource planning, resource procurement, transmission planning, and transmission and interconnection development issues.

Specifically, the Senior Energy Utilities Engineer’s duties and responsibilities may include:* Lead investigation and research of technologies that best enable swift evolution of the electric grid to meet California’s energy goals

• Analyze data to determine if policy objectives have been met
• Make recommendations based on independent analysis of regulatory, policy, and technical issues
• Work to develop and refine parts of a complex regulatory proceeding in a team environment
• Develop creative solutions to electric sector planning and procurement problems, while taking into consideration the market and policy implications
• Contribute to the inputs, methodology, and analysis of results of energy modeling
• Develop tools and solutions for the CPUC’s policy-setting rulemakings via a wide range of work products
• Manage a contract with consultants that provide technical support to the IRP process
• Coordinate with analysts in other Energy Division sections and branches on policy, generation, and transmission-related issues
• Represent the Division in various high-profile settings
• Collaborate with other state organizations and agencies e.g., California Independent System Operator (CAISO) and California Energy Commission (CEC) to help achieve statewide clean energy goals
• Organize and facilitate workshops and/or stakeholder meetings
• Review and provide feedback on proposed legislative bills and respond to inquiries from the public and legislative staff

Some of the projects the IRP group is working on include:* Exploring the feasibility and cost of pathways to significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the near to long term (e.g., through 2050) for the electric sector

• Evaluating the level of renewable procurement needed to achieve the state’s GHG-reduction goals and ensure it is being procured by electric utilities and other load serving entities
• Developing the business and regulatory case for new energy projects and infrastructure (transmission lines, storage, generation)
• Assessing the role of the current fossil-fueled generation fleet in achieving the state’s GHG reduction goals
• Refining planning and procurement processes and tools to adapt to the ever-growing need to procure new clean electricity resource infrastructure

Your STD 678 (application form), not your resume, will be used to determine your qualifications in order to meet the minimum qualification requirements for the advertised classification(s). Please clearly describe all of your experience related to public utilities and/or transportation in the areas of engineering, economics, finance, or policy in the job description field(s) of your STD 678 form, along with the years and months of service. Failure to do so may result in not qualifying for the minimum qualifications for the advertised classification(s). You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

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

• Sacramento location, please apply to JC# 504538
• San Francisco location, please apply to JC# 504527

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.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.* SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SPECIALIST)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-504539 Position #(s): 680-323-3510-003 Working Title: Senior Energy Utilities Engineer Classification: SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SPECIALIST) $11,437.00 - $14,315.00 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

Energy Division/ Electric Planning and Market Design Branch/ Integrated Resource Planning - Transmission and Interconnection:

Would you like to contribute to achieving the state’s ambitious and internationally-recognized clean energy and environmental goals? The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is leading California’s efforts to achieve a 100 percent clean energy future by 2045. The Electric Planning & Market Design branch of the CPUC's Energy Division develops and oversees programs and policies to ensure that existing and new electricity resources are available to meet the State electric grid's reliability needs.

The Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) group's Transmission & Interconnection section is in search of dynamic, creative team members to lead implementation of critical state policy development and research on electricity grid planning, particularly for transmission and interconnection issues. The section values strong analytical skills and seeks individuals that have experience and interest in data-driven policy and applying engineering skills to decarbonization problem solving. If energy or environmental sustainability is your passion, and you endeavor to contribute to California’s clean energy future, we encourage you to apply for our positions.

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive team and strongly encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, identities, and abilities to join our team.

Please visit Energy Division's recruitment page located here: Energy-Division-Recruiting for further job opportunities.

Federal Workers, California Welcomes You! Please visit Federal Workers, California Welcomes You! for instructions on how to apply.

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

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Professional Engineer License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired. 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:

• Describe your experience and ability managing complex technical projects, leading project teams, establishing work plans and managing production of timely deliverables.
• Describe your experience and ability in conducting technical engineering research and analyses of complex issues involving electricity generation and/or transmission facilities, and electric grid and resource planning issues.
• Describe your understanding of California's climate change and energy resource planning goals.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see the Work4CA guide. It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.jobs.ca.gov

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma**.** An official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency by the application deadline.

Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Employment information on the STD 678 state application MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes, or referring to resumes, will not be accepted in place of the completed STD 678. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 will not be considered.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 1/28/2026 Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s). How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Public Utilities Commission N/A Attn: Human Resources Division 505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008 San Francisco, CA 94102 Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Public Utilities Commission N/A Human Resources Division 505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008 San Francisco, CA 94102 Monday to Friday Except Holidays. 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM 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. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting. Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Understanding of transmission planning, modeling (capacity expansion, production cost modeling, or power flow modeling), energy resource planning, electricity regulation, utility rates, tariffs, rate-making regulations, electric market design, and the California electric grid.
• Experience managing complex technical projects related to California's electric grid in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

Benefits

Benefits Summary Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

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

Human Resources Contact:

Talent Acquisition Unit

(916) 597-5683

cpucrecruiter@cpuc.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:

Neil Raffan

(415) 703-2013

Neil.Raffan@cpuc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:

Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator

(916) 894-5799

ReasonableAccommodation@cpuc.ca.gov California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

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.