SENIOR UTILITIES ENGINEER (SUPERVISOR)

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

Job summary

Public Utilities Commission is seeking a Senior Utilities Engineer - Supervisor to lead the Rail Transit Safety Branch. The role involves directing a team of Utilities Engineers to ensure safety oversight of rail transit systems, performing complex safety certification during design and construction, and coordinating across teams to implement safety standards within California.

The position requires travel within the state, a valid California Driver's License, and a Professional License.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• Oversee safety oversight of rail transit systems and certify projects during design/construction
• Investigate accidents and conduct triennial audits and safety reviews
• Train staff, assign and review work, coordinate group activities daily
• Coordinate with internal procedures revisions and RTSB policies

Skills

Team management

Regulatory compliance

Interpersonal communication

Job description

Public Utilities Commission

JC-531949 -

JC-531949 - 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: 9/28/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Application Methods

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

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, recommends 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 advertisement is listed specifically for San Franciscolocation. All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

Sacramentolocation, please apply to JC# 531943. 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 (SUPERVISOR)

$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.

# of Positions:

1

Work Location:

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).

• 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.
• The position(s) require(s) a(n) Professional License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

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.

Desirable Qualifications

• 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.

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/

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.