Utilities Regulation Engineer 3

State of Iowa • Des Moines - 50319 - Polk County, IA

4d

About The Position

The Utilities Regulation Engineer 3 performs operations research, evaluation, and specialized engineering work for the Utilities Division of the Iowa Department of Commerce, investigating and regulating one or more types of utility operations under general supervision. The role supports public safety, reliable utility service, regulatory compliance, and fair utility practices for Iowa communities.

The engineer evaluates utility properties, costs, service offerings, utility facilities, and regulatory filings. They may lead or support research projects and use computer models and engineering applications to inform policy, rate cases, training, long-range planning, administrative rules, and legislation. The role also involves communicating technical findings to agency staff, utility personnel, witnesses, and the public, including participation in formal proceedings and informational meetings.

Travel, including overnight and potentially out-of-state travel, may be required. Employees must arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas, and some positions may require employees to provide their own transportation for state business.

Requirements

• Meet at least one minimum qualification pathway: graduate from an accredited four-year college or university with a degree in a listed engineering discipline and have three years of full-time qualifying experience; meet that education and experience pathway with eligible postgraduate coursework substituting for up to one year of experience; be licensed as a professional engineer by the Iowa Engineering and Land Surveying Examination Board; or have current, continuous state executive branch experience equivalent to twelve months of full-time work as a Utilities Regulation Engineer 2.
• For the degree-and-experience pathway, the qualifying degree must be in civil, petroleum, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, valuation, engineering economics, depreciation, or industrial engineering (including engineering management, operations research, or engineering operations).
• For the degree-and-experience pathway, qualifying experience must involve planning, forecasting, researching, designing, managing, operating, or evaluating electric, telecommunications, gas, or water facilities or systems.
• For the postgraduate coursework substitution, coursework must total twenty-four semester hours in accounting, business administration, computer science, economics, finance, statistics, or an engineering discipline, from an accredited college or university.
• Practical knowledge of engineering science and technology, including principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment used in design and production.
• Knowledge of utility valuation principles, techniques, and standards, including depreciation methods, cost allocation, production cost allocation, rate design, and utility cost-of-service classification and allocation.
• Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles used to produce precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
• Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
• Knowledge of customer-service principles and processes, including needs assessment, quality standards, and satisfaction evaluation.
• Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.
• Knowledge of English structure and content, including word meaning and spelling, composition, and grammar.
• Ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
• Arrange transportation to and from assigned work areas; some positions may require providing personal transportation to conduct state business.
• Travel, including overnight travel, and some out-of-state travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Participate in appraisal, evaluation, and depreciation studies of utility properties and engineering cost studies.
• Examine and evaluate information submitted with new service offerings and recommend approval, modification, or denial.
• Conduct or direct investigations of customer complaints and of utility facility operations, services, and public safety conditions.
• Provide information for Department presentations and formulate cross-examination questions for public utility company witnesses.
• Present and support the staff position in formal proceedings by testifying and submitting to cross-examination on technical issues.
• Represent the agency at informational meetings about anticipated major utility facility additions.
• Provide interpretations of professional engineering and regulatory codes to agency and public utility personnel.
• Use computer models and engineering applications to analyze utility operations for policy making, rate cases, staff training, long-range planning, and drafting administrative rules or legislation.
• Lead or participate as project staff in research concerning public utility regulation issues.
• Identify or develop criteria and evaluate utility data to help ensure reasonable and adequate service to the public at the lowest possible cost.
• Review engineering data in franchise petitions, pipeline permits, and service modification requests for compliance with engineering standards and federal and state regulations.

Benefits

• Paid vacation, paid holidays, and sick leave with no limits on sick leave accrual.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance options.
• IPERS retirement package and an option for a deferred compensation plan.
• Flexible spending accounts for medical and dependent care.
• Free life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Employee Discount Programs.

What This Job Offers

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