Energy/Utilities Engineer 4

State of Washington•Lacey, WA

31d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of one (1) Energy/Utilities Engineer 4 position within the Energy Transformation Section of the Regulatory Services Division. This advanced position manages statewide utility engineering projects and programs, including electrical utility wildfire mitigation planning, electrical distribution system planning, and grid interconnection planning. The Energy Transformation Section, within the Regulatory Services Division, provides regulatory oversight of seven (7) electric and natural gas utilities serving approximately 3 million customers in Washington State with annual revenues exceeding $4.5 billion. Reporting to the Energy Transformation Deputy Director, the Energy/Utilities Engineer 4 (E/UE 4) provides expert technical leadership, regulatory guidance, and strategic oversight for engineering programs that promote public safety, regulatory compliance, energy reliability, and equitable access to utility infrastructure across the state. This role is responsible for the program planning of statewide utility engineering projects with electrical utility wildfire mitigation planning, electrical distribution system planning, and grid interconnection planning. The E/UE 4 supervises and directs the work of lower-level utility and energy engineers, ensuring the effective statewide implementation of technical and regulatory initiatives. The incumbent plans, develops, and manages complex engineering projects and programs related to interconnection, distribution planning, wildfire mitigation, and broadband access. The position also reviews and evaluates utility filings and infrastructure plans by applying their advanced engineering judgment, statistical and field analysis, and regulatory knowledge.

Requirements

A bachelor's degree in engineering, physical science, or related technical field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the US Dept. of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or a foreign equivalent.
Four (4) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in utilities, energy systems or regulatory oversight. An advanced degree in engineering or applicable physical science field may substitute for two (2) years of experience.
Supervisory, project management, or lead engineer role experience. This experience may run concurrently with overall experience.
OR
Seven (7) years progressive responsible engineering experience in utilities, energy systems or regulatory oversight engineering/technician field work, with an emphasis in industrial and/or power systems. Experience includes being a supervisor, project management lead, or in a lead engineer role. This experience may run concurrently with overall experience.
Advanced knowledge of utility systems, electrical distribution, transmission, interconnection, and wildfire mitigation technologies.
Excellent written, oral, and visual communication skills with the ability to convey complex technical information clearly to varied audiences.
Knowledge of Electric and/or Gas Utility Systems - Demonstrates understanding of varied utility operations and systems, construction practices and engineering specifications, and compliance issues associated with operations, systems, and sound engineering principles.
Research Skills - Knowledge of where and how to access required data and information; anticipates additional resources. Reviews gathered materials, drawing out, and accurately documenting/recording relevant information. Recognizes when additional sources of information should be consulted and when information is suspect, vague, or needs to be supplemented or verified. Organizes, documents, and communicates research results and information in a way that can be understood, interpreted, and acted upon by end-users.
Judgement and Problem Solving - Exercises insight and wisdom when using the Analytical Skills and Critical Thinking, and Fundamental Regulatory Skills core competencies; Recognizes underlying or indirect issues within a recommendation, field engineering operation, proposal, or filing and accurately describes relevant context using the Writing and Communication core competencies. Develops, negotiates, and advocates appropriate compromises and solutions while demonstrating interpersonal understanding and an ability to encourage, coach, and support individuals; enables the Energy Regulation section to seize opportunities and learn from mistakes.
Analytical Skills and Critical Thinking - Independently formulates judgments on complex technical issues, conclusions, and assertions through the identification, organization, and analysis of quantitative, qualitative, and anecdotal data, evidence, and research; reaches conclusions through the holistic review of multiple forms of evidence and identifies connections, gaps, discrepancies, and key data necessary to reach an informed decision; distinguishes information that is and is not pertinent to a decision or solution. Assesses the workload impact versus the value to the public interest of new proposals or program implementations.
Fundamental Regulatory Skills - Applies sound scientific and engineering principles, economic theory, accounting standards and principles, commission policy and interpretive statements, legal precedents, administrative rules, and statutes in a manner consistent with the subject matter; examines issues to understand and discuss historical context; researches general fields of study to understand implication on regulatory mechanisms and practices including: engineering, public safety, economics, accounting, business administration, and computer science. Effectively persuades others to voluntarily accept recommendations or advice.
Writing and Communication - Writes clearly and concisely using analytical skills and critical thinking and holistically reasoned arguments; independently translates complex technical concepts into messages non-technical audiences can readily understand; listens carefully, reflects upon what is being said, and responds appropriately; presents information clearly, accurately, and in an audience-specific manner; demonstrates situational awareness by adapting communication styles and tools to ensure that information is accessible to everyone.
Inclusive and Collaborative Conduct - Takes responsibility for actions and impacts; works collaboratively as a part of a team; respects the point of view of others and approaches disagreements about work matters with active listening and good will; ensures individual interactions incorporate equitable treatment of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Council and other marginalized communities and promptly reports incidences of inequity to a supervisor or leader; demonstrates UTC's Values at all times, through the lens of antiracism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
Leadership - Leads by example, always demonstrating the Inclusive Excellence and Allyship core competency, exhibiting balance and fair-handedness in considering various perspectives, maintaining composure and level-headedness in difficult situations; demonstrates emotional intelligence and intellectual humility; pursues compromise and collaboration.
Project Management - Plans, designs, organizes, leads, and executes the work of an individual or team project, ensuring a high-quality work product within specific time constraints; leads the development of project and statewide program plans which include establishing realistic timelines, identification of attainable project deliverables, articulating clear roles and responsibilities for team members, and specifying criteria for successful project completion; regularly monitors progress and provides updates to direct supervisor and applicable leaders on the status of the project and program development/implementation including risks and issues that affect the completion of project deliverable(s) and general status updates; displays the Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships core competency, and facilitates the building and managing of interpersonal relationships to ensure project program-wide success; demonstrates personal accountability and commitment to the success of the program and each project; responsible for managing and facilitating internal and external feedback processes.
Mentorship - Explains and teaches a non-expert how to conduct analysis and reach a recommendation on the employee's area of expertise; demonstrates the Inclusive Excellence and Allyship and Communication Skills core competencies; acknowledges that peers may have differences in how they best receive information due to personal, cultural, or linguistic preferences and modifies mentorship approach so that it is accessible to the recipient.
Peer Review - Feedback is expected to demonstrate Inclusive Excellence and Allyship and the Communication Skills core competencies; be completed within a reasonable timeframe with reasonable accommodations as necessary consistent with section guidelines; be mindful of the personal, cultural, and linguistic preferences of the recipient.
Communication Skills - Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position, including the ability to communicate technical subjects to both technical and non-technical audiences. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
Adaptability/Flexibility - Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
Self-Development - Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
Continuous Process Improvement - Uses Lean tools and principles to continuously identify improvements, solve problems, and improve work processes. Participates on process improvement projects/teams and thoughtfully engages in section/division meetings.
Demonstration of EDI Competencies (expected of all employees): The ability to take action to learn and grow.
The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees): Accountability
DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
Inclusive Excellence & Allyship
Measuring Success and Improvement
Customer Focus
Results Focus
Communication Skills
Adaptability/Flexibility
Self-Development
Continuous Process Improvement

Nice To Haves

One or a combination of the following:
An advanced degree in electrical engineering, civil, mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering.
Bachelor's degree in engineering and physical sciences.
Professional work experience in large industrial, and/or electric power systems adjacent fields involving large industrial, networking, and/or electric power systems.
Progressive experience and knowledge in an engineering or technical field involving large scale industrial and/or electric power systems.
Experience developing, managing, and implementing large-scale engineering or technical programs, including in-office engineering analysis as well as field operations.
Experience designing and troubleshooting electrical circuits and power systems, with an emphasis on work in and around renewable energy systems.
Experience analyzing engineering schematics and diagrams in areas such as protection and control, power conversion, motor control, or sensory/feedback systems.
Experience with industrial-scale monitoring systems such as Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) to observe system behavior/status.

Responsibilities

Supervises and directs the work of utility and energy engineering projects and programs related to interconnection, distribution planning, wildfire mitigation, and broadband access.
Guides, mentors, and trains junior engineers and regulatory staff, fostering professional development and maintaining high standards of thorough analytical approach.
Prepares and presents reports, data, and technical findings to support commission decisions and integrate results into ongoing programs.
Provides written expert testimony and technical recommendations on complex, politically sensitive, or high-impact issues.
Applies advanced engineering judgment to assess the technical merits of filings and ensures recommendations are grounded in sound regulatory and safety principles.
Reviews, validates, and conducts field assessments of complex utility engineering reports and infrastructure.
Leads negotiations and discussions with utilities and stakeholders on highly technical or contested regulatory matters.
Conducts ongoing research and professional development to stay current on national and international advancements in utility regulation and technology.
Reviews expert testimony, company exhibits, work papers, and data analyses, identifying methodological gaps, assumptions, and implications for public safety and reliability.
Determines root causes and recommends corrective actions or regulatory responses, providing comprehensive briefings and written findings to agency leadership.
Collaborates with attorneys, engineers, and policymakers to ensure that investigations are methodical, transparent, and consistent with commission standards.
Fosters a supportive and communicative team environment through proactive engagement, consistent follow-up, and open feedback channels.

Benefits

UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

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