Energy/Utilities Engineer 3

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is hiring an Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 in the Telecommunications Section of its Regulatory Services Division. This advanced position contributes to statewide public-safety engineering programs involving telecommunications services, resource acquisitions, planning, and deployment, and supports compliance with applicable laws and rules. The role analyzes complex technical and regulatory issues and helps balance the interests of diverse stakeholders.

The incumbent serves as the agency’s principal technical expert and staff resource on telecommunications engineering, including emerging technologies and compliance with commission rules, regulations, programs, laws, regulatory principles, tariffs, and other requirements. The position monitors outage and service-quality reports, investigates service-quality problems, and provides technical assistance to telecommunications companies. It also coordinates technology analysis and policy issues at state and federal levels, including matters involving the public switched telephone network, packet-switched IP technology, cybersecurity, FCC issues, radio-frequency interference, and applicable safety codes and standards.

The position reports to the Telecommunications Section Manager. It is hybrid, but the successful candidate must reside in Washington state and be available to report to the Lacey headquarters when needed. Moderate travel within or outside normal work hours, throughout the state or country, may be required. The role is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree with major study in engineering or a related field from an accredited institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA, or foreign equivalent; alternatively, advanced knowledge in one or more of engineering, cybersecurity, telecommunications, network development and testing, or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing short- and long-range plans and collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex data.
• Experience participating in quasi-judicial, evidentiary, and quasi-legislative proceedings, particularly as practiced at UTC.
• Experience collaborating with government agencies, elected officials, commission staff, Commissioners, attorneys, industry representatives, and the public.
• Ability to apply regulatory theory and practice in current and emerging regulatory environments, including knowledge of statutes, decisions, and regulatory approaches in other jurisdictions.
• Experience negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes or policy goals in contested or controversial situations, understanding and communicating consumer and provider interests, and building support for telecommunications recommendations.
• Experience leading and implementing innovations and process improvements.
• Experience working in or leading multidisciplinary teams and mentoring, coaching, encouraging, and providing constructive feedback to junior staff.
• Knowledge of major telecommunications policy, technical, and operational issues.
• Extensive experience conducting research and analytical work involving regulatory, policy, financial, economic, legal, scientific, technical, or public-administration matters.
• Highly proficient at evaluating quantitative and qualitative information, identifying trends or issues, drawing supported conclusions, and developing research- and data-based recommendations.
• Advanced practitioner in interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, procedures, or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing and verbally to diverse audiences in formal and informal settings.
• Ability to build and maintain productive, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders, partners, and coworkers.
• Experience managing complex projects, assignments, timelines, priorities, or process-improvement objectives.
• Highly proficient in research, analysis, regulatory, policy, compliance, auditing, investigative, or closely related work.
• Ability to use information technology resources effectively.
• Advanced knowledge of telecommunications engineering and technical developments, including packet-switched telephony, SS7, telephone switch operations, number portability, and outside plant.
• Advanced knowledge of major telecommunications design standards, such as BellCore, COCAG, SmartGrid Security and Privacy, Electric Power Research Institute, NESC, and Internet Engineering Task Force standards.
• Advanced knowledge of telecommunications transport standards, including ISDN, ATM, MPLS, Ethernet, and SONET.
• Advanced knowledge of the telecommunications industry and the business interests of regulated and non-regulated providers.
• Ability to demonstrate the UTC’s expected EDI and core competencies, including learning and growth, meeting others’ needs, accountability, self-awareness, inclusive excellence and allyship, strategic partnerships, customer and results focus, communication, adaptability, self-development, and continuous improvement.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in electrical, civil, mechanical, chemical, computer, network, telecommunications, or industrial engineering.
• Three or more years of experience in a team or project management capacity.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, wireline communications systems engineering and mobile and microwave radio communications engineering, including radio-frequency allocation, electromagnetic-wave propagation, radio-field-strength measurement, and applicable performance standards and tolerances.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, the theory and operation of telephone, data telegraph, and teletype systems.
• Knowledge of, or ability to learn, NESC and other engineering standards, engineering economics, FCC rules and regulations, traffic-handling procedures, and regulatory-hearing procedures and effective organizational methods.

Responsibilities

• Investigate, evaluate, and analyze engineering, legal, policy, and technical aspects of telecommunications tariff revisions, industry and company processes, commission policies, and other filings.
• Serve as the agency’s principal technical expert and staff resource on telecommunications engineering, emerging technologies, and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor telecommunications companies’ outage and service-quality reports for compliance with UTC standards; investigate service-quality problems and provide technical assistance to companies.
• Provide and coordinate technology analysis and assistance on state and federal engineering and policy issues relating to the public switched telephone network and packet-switched IP-based technology.
• Advise Commissioners, policy staff, and other UTC departments on technical aspects of new-generation services and related state and federal issues.
• Develop and present staff recommendations to the commission on new or emerging telecommunications technologies.
• Assist other staff in proposing industry best practices and policy statements.
• Provide written and oral testimony in formal UTC hearings and serve as an engineering consultant to Commissioners and staff, clarifying technical issues in support of legal positions.
• Prepare and present commission briefings on staff recommendations and provide technical support to Commissioners, management, and other commission staff.
• Review telecommunications pole attachments for compliance with state regulations, industry codes, and safety rules.
• Negotiate, discuss, and recommend solutions or terms concerning complex complaints, company programs, service quality, contested issues, and other concerns with regulated companies, customers, consumers, and stakeholders.
• Represent the commission on external industry task forces or panels, maintain technical proficiency, and communicate commission positions to outside groups.
• Complete continuing education requirements as assigned by a supervisor.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance options for employees and their families.
• Enrollment in state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• At least 14 days of vacation leave per calendar year, 11 paid holidays, one personal holiday, and accrued sick leave.
• A comprehensive benefits package and continuing learning opportunities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior