PUBLIC SERVICE ENGINEER SERIES Distribution Engineer - Electrical

State of Maryland; Maryland; On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The Maryland Public Service Commission seeks a Public Service Engineer IV (Distribution Engineer – Electrical) to promote safe, reliable, and cost-effective utility services across the state. The role involves engineering analyses, regulatory filings, and field inspections within its Engineering Division in Baltimore.

Two levels (IV and III) exist; candidates may apply to either or both based on experience.

Qualifications

• Six years of engineering experience, including inspections, tests, and evaluations.
• Two years of engineering experience conducting inspections and evaluations of physical facilities used by public utilities.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes and testimony preparation.
• Strong written and verbal communication and project management.

Responsibilities

• Review utility filings and determine regulatory compliance.
• Conduct engineering analyses of infrastructure and reliability.
• Prepare testimony and regulatory filings with clear technical findings.
• Inspect electric utility facilities and review engineering data.
• Coordinate technical investigations with staff and stakeholders.
• Support emergency preparedness and cross-functional initiatives.

Skills

Public speaking

Technical writing

Analytical thinking

Regulatory analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Introduction

The Public Service Commission is recruiting for a Public Service Engineer position.

There are two levels a IV and a III and you are permitted to apply to either or both as your experience dictates.

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC or Commission) is an independent agency tasked with regulating public utilities and certain passenger transportation services operating within the state. Its mandate is to ensure that Maryland residents and businesses have access to safe, reliable, and economically priced services, while also advancing the state’s clean energy goals and protecting the public interest. The Commission’s regulatory authority extends across a broad range of sectors, including electric and gas utilities, telecommunications providers, water and sewerage companies, and certain transportation carriers.

The Commission is empowered to hear and decide matters relating to: (1) rate adjustments; (2) applications to exercise or abandon franchises; (3) applications to modify the type or scope of service; (4) approval of issuance of securities; (5) promulgation of new rules and regulations; and (6) quality of utility and common carrier service.

• Previous Applicants Need Not Re-apply

GRADE

19

LOCATION OF POSITION

6 St. Paul Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

Main Purpose of Job

The Maryland Public Service Commission is seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented professional to serve as a Public Service Engineer IV (Distribution Engineer – Electrical) within its Engineering Division. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the safety, reliability, and regulatory oversight of Maryland’s critical energy infrastructure.

POSITION DUTIES

The successful candidate will be a proactive, analytical, adaptable self-starter with a strong sense of professional responsibility. Superior time management, interpersonal, and communication skills are essential. The Public Service Engineer IV plays a vital role by conducting engineering analyses, investigations, inspections, and technical evaluations of utility infrastructure, operations, and services provided by public utility companies under the Commission's jurisdiction. The position supports the Commission's regulatory mission by reviewing utility filings, preparing engineering reports and expert testimony, and developing recommendations to promote the safe, reliable, efficient, and cost-effective delivery of utility services throughout Maryland.

The position requires both technical expertise and sound judgment to promote public safety and support the Commission’s regulatory mission. This role is ideal for an engineer who is passionate about public service, thrives in a dynamic regulatory environment, and possesses a strong foundation in utility engineering, safety standards, regulatory analysis, and infrastructure planning.

The successful candidate should be comfortable conducting both office-based analytical work and field-based inspections. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential to effectively convey technical findings, regulatory interpretations, and policy recommendations to both technical and non-technical audiences.

As a Public Service Engineer IV, you will apply your technical and regulatory expertise and professional judgment to help ensure the safe, reliable, resilient, and cost-effective delivery of utility services to Maryland consumers.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Review and evaluate utility filings, including Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCNs), CPCN waiver requests, rate cases, reliability reports, infrastructure investment proposals, and other engineering-related filings to determine compliance with applicable statutes, regulations, tariffs, engineering standards, and industry best practices.
• Conduct engineering analyses of utility infrastructure, system reliability, operational practices, capital investment proposals, and engineering studies to support Commission proceedings, investigations, and regulatory decision-making.
• Prepare testimony, memoranda, briefing materials, and recommendations for Administrative and Commission proceedings, present technical findings to Commissioners, and perform other engineering assignments as required. Ensure all testimony is free of grammatical errors. Ensure all testimony is filed in accordance with staff’s established timeline and is technically accurate.
• Review engineering data, utility studies, technical reports, and infrastructure proposals to evaluate engineering prudence, operational performance, regulatory compliance, and the reasonableness of utility capital investments.
• Develop engineering data requests, analyze utility responses, conduct technical investigations, and prepare recommendations based on engineering principles, regulatory requirements, and applicable industry standards.
• Compose and submit engineering reports and recommendations on the safety, adequacy, efficiency, reliability, and cost-effective operation of regulated utilities with set conditions and corrective actions.
• Inspect electric utility facilities, maintenance procedures, and engineering records in accordance with applicable engineering standards and industry best practices.
• Investigate consumer complaints, utility accidents, equipment failures, and reports of accidents submitted by regulated utilities, and coordinate technical investigations with other Commission Staff and stakeholders.
• Participate in technical conferences, stakeholder workgroups, and interagency meetings involving utilities, State agencies, regional organizations, and other interested parties.
• Evaluate emerging technologies affecting regulated utilities, including advanced metering infrastructure (AMI), battery energy storage systems (BESS), distributed energy resources (DER), grid modernization initiatives, virtual power plants (VPP), grid modernization initiatives, electric distribution system planning, and other emerging utility technologies.
• Support the Commission’s emergency preparedness and response activities, including participation in the Maryland Department of Emergency Management State Emergency Operations Center during utility emergencies when assigned.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other divisions within the Commission, including Legal and Policy units, to support investigations and inform regulatory proceedings.
• Special Projects: Perform other duties as assigned, including supporting cross-functional engineering initiatives and providing technical input on emerging energy technologies and risks.

Minimum Qualifications

PUBLIC SERVICE ENGINEER IV

Experience: Six years of experience, two years of engineering experience conducting inspections, tests, investigations and evaluations of physical facilities used by public utility companies in the production and distribution of products and services and four years of additional professional engineering experience.

Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university and two years of engineering experience conducting inspections, tests, investigations and evaluations of physical facilities used by public utility companies in the production and distribution of products and services for the required experience. 2. Candidates may substitute professional engineering experience other than as defined above at the rate of two years for each one year of the required experience. 3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university for the required experience. 4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Engineering classifications or Engineering specialty codes in the Environmental field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

PUBLIC SERVICE ENGINEER III Experience: Five years of experience, one year of engineering experience conducting inspections, tests, investigations and evaluations of physical facilities used by public utility companies in the production and distribution of products and services and four years of additional professional engineering experience.

Notes: 1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university and one year of engineering experience conducting inspections, tests, investigations and evaluations of physical facilities used by public utility companies in the production and distribution of products and services for the required experience. 2. Candidates may substitute professional engineering experience other than as defined above at the rate of two years for each one year of the required experience. 3. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in engineering from an accredited college or university for the required experience. 4. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in Engineering classifications or Engineering specialty codes in the Environmental field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Desired Or Preferred Qualifications

Experience working with or knowledge of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corp (NERC), PJM Interconnection, a Public Service/Utility Service Commission, Electric Utility and/or Energy or Engineering Consultant firm.

Experience reviewing utility filings, engineering studies, or infrastructure investment proposals, other engineering analyses for regulatory or public utility purposes.

Experience with electric transmission or distribution planning, utility asset management, electric system reliability, interconnection, or infrastructure planning.

Experience with emerging utility technologies, grid modernization initiatives, or distributed energy resources is desirable.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle.

Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

Special Requirements

Experience conducting compliance inspections (applying regulations)

Ability to travel within the state to site locations (utility locations);

Travel to state emergency operations center during emergencies

Important skills to have: Public speaking (provide testimony as an expert witness) Writing skills (produce technical reports, written testimony, regulatory filings) – differentiating factor that will be assessed Analytical skills (performing analysis, research – quantitative skills, maintaining and reviewing databases, Microsoft Office Suite tools) Knowledge of distributed energy resources or electric transmission and distribution systems.

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at [e-mail] or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.