SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SUPERVISOR)

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

Job summary

California Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is hiring a Senior Utilities Engineer - Supervisor in San Francisco for the Rail Transit Safety Branch. The role leads a team of Utilities Engineers, oversees safety oversight of rail transit systems, and conducts complex engineering tasks including safety certifications, investigations, and audits.

The position is hybrid with travel within California and requires a valid California Driver's License.

Qualifications

• Professional License is required.
• Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C is required.
• Applicants must be able to travel, including overnight stays within California.

Responsibilities

• Plans, assigns, organizes, and directs the work of Utilities Engineers and staff responsible for safety oversight of rail transit systems.
• Performs complex engineering work for safety certification during design/construction, accident investigations, audits, and safety reviews.
• Participates in internal procedures revisions and administrative duties for the section.

Job description

Job Posting: Senior Utilities Engineer - Supervisor

Public Utilities Commission

JC-529159 - Senior Utilities Engineer - Supervisor SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SUPERVISOR)

$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: 9/2/2026

Job Description and Duties

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility.

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 a Program and Project Supervisor, the Senior Utilities Engineer Supervisor participates in establishing and implementing the mission, goals, objectives, and priorities of the Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB). Plans, assigns, organizes, and directs the work of a group of Utilities Engineers and other professional staff responsible for the safety oversight of public and private rail transit systems. Responsible for training staff, assigning and reviewing work, and coordinating the activities of the group on a daily basis. Assists in evaluating work performance and recommends appropriate action. Processes administrative work for the section.

Analyzes situations, recommend and coordinate courses of action. Performs the more difficult and complex engineering work involved in assuring the safety oversight of rail transit systems. This includes, but is not limited to project safety certification during design and construction, accident investigations, triennial audits, and safety reviews of transit system operations and maintenance. The Senior Utilities Engineer, Supervisor, also participates in internal General Order and RTSB procedures revisions.

This position requires an ability to travel, including overnight stays within the State of California and on occasion to work evenings and weekends. Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C required.

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

Working Conditions

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 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 (SUPERVISOR)

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-529159

Position #(s): 680-141-3508-002

Working Title: Senior Utilities Engineer - Supervisor

Classification: SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SUPERVISOR)

Salary: $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: San Francisco County

Telework: Hybrid

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Rail Safety Divison/Rail Transit Safety Branch

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).

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

Special Requirements

Professional License is requried.

Possession of a valid California Driver's License, Class C is required.

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.

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.

Desirable Qualifications

• Knowledge of CPUC General Orders, Federal Transit Administration regulations, Federal Railroad Administration regulations and/or industry standards applicable to rail transit or railroads.
• Experience with complex engineering safety standards, regulatory compliance, and statutory frameworks in transit, rail, or heavy utility/infrastructure sectors.
• Experience in managing technical teams, delegating work, and handling competing priorities.
• Experience in managing staff performance, coaching, and resolving workplace challenges.
• Experience in interpersonal communication skills and the ability to collaborate effectively with external agencies, regulated entities, and public stakeholders.

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
[phone]
[e-mail]

Hiring Unit Contact:
Jamie Lau
[phone]
[e-mail]

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