SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SPECIALIST)

State of California; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 128,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

The California Public Utilities Commission invites applications for a Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist) in the Rail Safety Division. The role conducts risk assessment work for railroad safety, evaluates risk management plans, and helps develop remedial strategies to improve safety.

This permanent, full‑time, hybrid position is based in San Francisco, with a monthly salary range of $11,437 to $14,315 and a normal civil service application process.

Responsibilities

• Research, develop, and propose risk assessment tools for railroad risk profiles.
• Evaluate railroad risk assessment and risk management plans and monitor remedial activities.

Job description

Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist)

Public Utilities Commission

JC-534261 - Senior Utilities Engineer (Specialist)

$11,437.00 - $14,315.00 per Month. New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/12/2026

Application Methods: Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account) By Mail Drop-off

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, incumbent will research, develop, and propose risk assessment management tools to evaluate railroads’ risk profiles, remedial plans, and related activities. Incumbent will evaluate railroad risk assessment and risk management plans based on adopted methodology and compare and analyze the railroads’ methodologies and practices for conducting risk-assessments and proposed remedial efforts, as well as monitor the railroads’ implementation of any remedial activities.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This position requires travel. This advertisement is listed specifically for San Fran location. All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

Sacramento location, please apply to JC# 534262

Los Angeles location, please apply to JC# 534263

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

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)

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

Telework:

Hybrid

Job Type:

Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Rail Safety Division/Rail Operations Safety Branch (ROSB)

The mission of the Rail Safety Division (RSD) is to diligently strive to inspire safe and reliable rail transportation in California by promoting and enforcing railroad, rail crossing and rail transit safety; and by improving or establishing a positive rail safety culture therein, through our inspection and enforcement efforts and our resolve to look beyond the regulations. RSD strives to enforce state and federal laws, regulations, orders, and directives relating proactively and effectively to transportation of persons or commodities by rail. RSD is comprised of the Railroad Operations Safety Branch (ROSB), Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch (RCEB), and Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB).

• The position(s) require(s) a valid California Drivers License (CDL). You must answer the questions addressing your CDL on your application. Ensure you provide your CDL number, class, expiration date, and any endorsements and/or restrictions.

Prepare and submit a narrative description of how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. 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.

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.

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.
• Other - Narrative 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:

• Knowledge and experience working on railroad safety
• Knowledge and experience in leading projects and/or other staff in specialized investigations and programs.
• Experience preparing technical reports and correspondence and presenting engineering or safety findings to management, public agencies, or industry groups.

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/

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 [phone] [e-mail]

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.