Public Utilities Engineering Manager

Commerce; North Carolina; On-site; USD 82,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

The North Carolina Department of Commerce seeks a Public Utilities Engineering Manager to provide high‑level regulatory engineering expertise to the Utilities Commission’s Energy Division and the Public Staff. The role oversees the Rates & Services Section and staff, guiding complex analyses and testimony in hearings.

Required are a engineering degree and at least five years of utility regulatory engineering experience, with potential professional engineer qualification; leadership and strong

Qualifications

• Comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles applied to electric and natural gas regulatory work.
• Experience preparing technical documents and expert testimony for hearings.
• Leadership experience supervising engineers, analysts, and staff.

Responsibilities

• Supervise work activities and ensure milestones are met.
• Ensure utility rates are properly determined and tariffs complied with.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to team members.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Regulatory engineering

Oral and written communication

Project supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

5 years regulatory/operational engineering experience

Job description

Agency Dept of Commerce Division Utilities-Public Staff Job Classification Title Public Utilities Engineering Manager (NS) Position Number 60081122 Grade NC23

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state’s lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well‑being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation’s top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Description of Work

Are you looking for meaningful public service work that will positively impact the residents of North Carolina? If your answer is yes, we want you to join our team at the Utilities Commission. The Department of Commerce, Division of Public Staff Utilities Commission, is looking for an Public Utilities Engineering Manager. The primary purpose of this regulatory engineering position is to fulfill the Public Staff’s legislative mandate by providing highly technical engineering expertise and expert opinions to the Director of the Energy Division, as well as to the Public Staff’s Executive Director and other division directors and staff within the Public Staff, regarding a wide range of electric utility issues. As well, this position manages the Rates & Services Section and employees of the Section.

Responsibilities

• Performing supervisory administrative duties and oversight, including assignment of work activities and ensuring project milestones and timelines are adhered to.
• Be responsible for ensuring utility rates are appropriately determined.
• Compliance to Commission approved tariffs.
• Providing guidance, training, and mentorship to engineers, analysts, and other team members.

This a full‑time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

Incentives of NC State Employment

• 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave.
• North Carolina State Health Plan currently administered by Aetna.
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision.
• NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans.
• WeSave Employee Discounts.
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

Recruitment Range

$81,620 - $133,000

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

Comprehensive knowledge of engineering principles and practices as applied to the design, review and implementation of electric and or natural gas utility cost of service, rate design and tariffs. Experience with preparation and review of robust and technical documents and rendering expert testimony in paper and in‑person hearings. Robust experience to plan, design, coordinate, manage and supervise the work of lead engineers, front‑line and adjunct staff, and consultants. Experience communicating effectively both orally and in writing. Comprehensive knowledge of the modern trends, techniques, and practices of public utility service and regulation for market and non‑market based utilities.

Education and Experience Requirements

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION. Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the OSHR Guide for details. Bachelor’s degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and five (5) years of experience in utility operational or regulatory engineering work including one (1) year of lead worker/supervisory experience; or An equivalent combination of education and experience. Special Qualification May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

Special Qualification

May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Public Staff is an independent agency created in 1977 to review, investigate, and make appropriate recommendations to the North Carolina Utilities Commission with respect to the reasonableness of rates charged and adequacy of service provided by any public utility and with respect to the consistency with the public policy of assuring an energy supply adequate to protect the public health and safety. The Public Staff shall intervene on behalf of the using and consuming public in all Commission proceedings affecting rates or service. The Public Staff will also:

• Petition the Commission to initiate proceedings when in the public interest;
• Participate in all certificate applications and assist the Commission in analysis;
• Make recommendations to the Commission with respect to standards, regulations, or practices;
• Investigate formal and informal complaints affecting the using and consuming public;
• Participate in all proceedings for franchise transfers, mergers, and consolidations of public utilities;
• Review, investigate, and recommend action to the Commission regarding affiliate contracts.

About the Department of Commerce

Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment. NC Department of Commerce uses the Merit‑Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Transcripts may be attached to supplement education and work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part‑time work. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work experience listed on the application. “Resumes may be attached as a supplement to the application but are not a substitution for a complete application.” We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process and throughout employment. Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax by the vacancy closing date. Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing. If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.

EEO Statement

The State of North Carolina is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and dedicated to providing employees with a work environment free from all forms of unlawful employment discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. The state provides reasonable accommodation to employees and applicants with disabilities; known limitations related to pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; and for religious beliefs, observances, and practices.