Infrastructure Project Specialist

DC Department of Human Resources; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, life, and long

Teleworking options

Flex time schedules

Paid holidays and vacation

Job summary

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission) seeks an Infrastructure Project Specialist to oversee major electric utility infrastructure upgrades, DERs, and grid modernization initiatives in the Nation’s Capital.

You will interface with federal/state agencies, utilities, and industry professionals while contributing to regulatory oversight, reliability improvements, and project monitoring through diverse programs.

Qualifications

• Specialized experience in engineering practices and regulatory oversight.
• Ability to interpret utility regulations and apply them to engineering analysis.
• Strong problem-solving, project management, and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Monitors, analyzes, and reviews utility plans, designs, and upgrades for infrastructure projects.
• Supports development of monitoring plans and coordinates across utilities to improve efficiency.
• Acts as SME to support the Commission’s strategic direction and regulatory objectives.

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree in Engineering or Business (desirable)

Job description

Job Summary

The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission), a leading utility regulatory agency, is looking for a talented Infrastructure Project Specialist who can make a professional difference in the Nation’s Capital. As an infrastructure specialist, you will be deployed on a challenging variety of regulatory oversight projects, including ongoing monitoring efforts for multi‑billion‑dollar long‑term electric utility infrastructure upgrade projects, electric distribution strategic initiatives, as well as distributed energy resource technologies, including energy storage and microgrids.

The Commission offers a competitive salary range, a generous travel stipend for public transportation, as well as an attractive benefits package. The Commission’s benefits package encompasses a flexible menu of comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options, as well as a strong set of portable retirement benefit and savings options. The Commission also offers attractive vacation and sick leave time, as well as paid holidays—consistent with District government provisions. The Commission also seeks to optimize work‑life balance through an attractive set of work schedule options, including Flex time schedules, Teleworking options, and Alternative Work Schedules. As an organization dedicated to professional development and learning, the Commission encourages staff to participate in regulatory and industry association activities, as well as educational and professional training. Tuition reimbursement may also be available. The Commission offers rewarding work and seeks a highly enthusiastic professional with exceptional customer‑facing skills. The ideal candidate is outgoing and is able to participate in the evolving work of the department.

In this role, you will have an opportunity to interface with key stakeholders from a variety of federal and state agencies, including the DOE, and FERC, as well as DC’s DOEE and DDOT agencies. You will also interface with engineering professionals of Fortune 500 energy companies, energy developers and providers, as well as regulatory professionals from across the Nation. You will gain significant industry exposure and unmatched professional experience as a member of a leading regulatory agency with a proud 100+ year history of regulatory excellence.

Duties And Responsibilities

Monitors, analyzes, and reviews utility plans, proposals, designs, construction, and maintenance of infrastructure and system upgrades and replacement, including DC Plug, Capital Grid Project, distributed energy resource programs and pilots (DER), distribution automation and Smart Grid efforts, advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) maintenance, other electric reliability enhancement projects, and utility outage restoration initiatives. Contributes to the development of a monitoring plan by the Commission, conducts surveys of construction sites, assists in utility coordination to maximize construction efficiencies, and makes recommendations for process improvement. Reviews and advises the Commission on reliability enhancement processes currently being implemented by Pepco and their potential for achieving the Commission reliability benchmarks. Analyzes and reviews Pepco's and the District's Department of Transportation’s (DDOT) plans and proposals, including the selection of feeders for undergrounding, design, scheduling, and implementation of the plans. Contributes to monitoring progress, conducts surveys of construction sites, assists in coordinating utilities to maximize construction efficiencies, and provides recommendations for process improvement. Reads and analyzes electrical, telecommunications, and gas blueprints for project evaluation and coordination. Identifies technologies and policies to enhance the city's energy delivery with more reliability, cost-effectiveness, efficiency, and interaction. Collaborates with staff economists on proposed business models, ensuring sustainability, including addressing engineering, safety, and regulatory issues associated with distributed generation and interconnection rules. Serves as a Subject Matter Expert to support the Commission’s vision and strategic direction.

Qualifications And Education

Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, at least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression. This position requires knowledge of engineering practices and principles as evidenced by degrees, licensing and work experience. Demonstrated technical engineering knowledge related to infrastructure and systems planning, regulatory oversight efforts, and ability to evaluate power system engineering and construction issues with versatility, sound judgment, and understanding. Ability to interpret federal or state utility regulations, policies, and procedures and apply such to engineering analysis of a variety of situations. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and collaborative skills. A bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering is preferred. A master’s degree in either engineering or business is highly desirable.

Licenses and Certifications

Valid Driver’s License.

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is generally performed in an office environment, although some periodic fieldwork is required. Such fieldwork requires basic personal safety precautions and safe driving practices in an agency vehicle.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday - Friday
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME, District Council 20, and you may be required to pay union dues.
Applicants claiming “Residency Preference” will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement

The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.