Organization: PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION OF TEXAS 
Primary Location: Texas-Austin 
Work Locations: Public Utility Commission of Texas - 1701 N Congress Ave  Austin TX 78701
Job: Architecture and Engineering 
Employee Status: Regular 
Schedule: Full-time Standard Hours Per Week: 40.00 
State Job Code: 2155 2156, 2157 
Salary Admin Plan: B 
Grade: 25 B26, B28 
Salary (Pay Basis): 5,260.00 - 9,167.00 (Monthly) 
Number of Openings: 1 
Overtime Status: Exempt 
Job Posting: Dec 9, 2022, 11:55:39 AM 
Closing Date: Ongoing 

Description

Work with us and make a difference in Texas!

The Public Utility Commission of Texas is the state agency charged with regulating the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation and offering customer assistance in resolving customer complaints. We are committed to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure.

Thank you for your interest in employment with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. The PUC is committed to the recruitment and promotion of a character-driven, competent, productive and diverse workforce. Our employees come from a broad range of professional backgrounds, from attorneys and engineers to administrative support staff, united by their passion to be accountable to the people of Texas and provide equitable, efficient, and effective regulation in an increasingly competitive environment.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

To apply with this agency, please go to https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl and select our agency, Public Utility Commission of Texas, from the "Company/Agency" list.

 To submit your application for employment, select the job opening of interest, then select Apply Online. Complete your on-line applicant profile and the CAPPS Application for Employment. Applications must contain complete job histories, which includes job title, dates of employment, name of employer, supervisor's name and phone number and a description of duties performed. Resumes do not take the place of this required information. Applications with “See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application. You must also submit a letter of interest and resume with your application. Your letter of interest and resume can be uploaded and attached to your application. If a position requires a degree, in order to be considered for the posted position, you must submit your unofficial or official transcripts. To submit your official or unofficial transcript, you must upload it to your application. Please be advised, all non-U.S. transcripts and diplomas will need to be evaluated and translated to U.S. equivalency prior to submitting your application. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

As part of the PUC’s recruiting process, reference checks with previous employers will be conducted for any candidate being considered for employment. All applicants must complete and attach the PUC Authorization for Prior Employer to Release Information form with their application. The form can be found on: ApplicantReleaseFormWebsiteLink

APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED THROUGH WORK IN TEXAS

Applicants applying through Work In Texas (WIT) will also need to complete the supplemental questions and forms to be considered for this posting.  To complete the supplemental questions, please go to the CAPPS Career Center https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl to register and create a profile, or login and access your existing profile.

The BENEFITS of working at the PUC

In addition to an affirming work environment and a family-oriented culture, the PUC offers an array of attractive benefits to employees. A summary of benefits can be found at https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits

DIVISION – INFRASTRUCTURE, ENGINEERING

The PUC understands that motivated, knowledgeable staff are essential for the successful completion of our vital work. If you're ready to join our efforts to serve our fellow Texans by helping electrical, water, sewer and telecom utilities attain and maintain compliance, we would love to hear from you. Working at the PUC will not only broaden your professional horizons, it will also make you part of a highly motivated, technically proficient and warmly collegial team of professionals. Apply today!

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

Infrastructure is seeking an Engineer who has a desire to work in the utility regulatory industry, with a strong initiative, who would like to put their expertise and interest to work performing advanced to highly advanced engineering work on a broad range of infrastructure issues. Work involves applying engineering principles to evaluate engineering and other technical issues to include identifying, analyzing, and providing recommendations or testimony regarding issues related to facility planning, construction, operations, and maintenance in the electric and water industries, as well as some telecommunications infrastructure issues. Work under limited to minimal supervision with limited to extensive latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or additional duties that fall in the fields listed in the below link who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

The MOS codes applicable to this position can be accessed at:

https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_EngineeringandDesign.pdf

If you qualify for a Veteran Employment Preference, it is mandatory that you provide the required documentation with your State of Texas Application. Documentation must be provided before a Veteran Preference can be granted. Required documentation is as follows: Veteran – DD Form 214; Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who has not remarried – Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300; Orphan of a Veteran who was killed during active duty – Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Identify, analyze, and provide recommendations on issues relating to electric and water infrastructure planning, construction, operations, maintenance, and depreciation including service quality and facility need, cost, and siting. Work on telecommunications issues as needed.
• Prepare written testimony for filing in contested proceedings, including certificate of convenience and necessity; sale, transfer, or merger; complaint; fuel reconciliation; and rate proceedings; and defend testimony under cross-examination.
• Conduct investigations and prepare reports.
• Participate in or lead rulemaking and other projects.
• May participate in transmission planning activities conducted by electric utilities and the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Southwest Power Pool, and Midcontinent Independent System Operator.
• Provide information regarding Commission policies and procedures to industry stakeholders, customers, personnel of the legislature, other government agencies, and the public.
• Participate in the Commission’s Emergency Management Response Team if needed.
• Stay up-to-date on technological advances and issues in the electric and water industries and maintain an awareness of technological advances and issues in the telecommunications industry.
• Demonstrate a spirit of teamwork, offering positive and constructive ideas, encouragement, support to other members of the staff and team, and respond professionally to constructive feedback from others, while upholding the PUC’s mission and core values.
• Adhere to all PUC personnel policies and division procedures and perform other work as assigned.

Qualifications

REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A degree is a minimum required qualification. Official or unofficial college transcripts must be submitted with the application.

• Engineer IV: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor or post-graduate degree in engineering, business with coursework in engineering, or related field; a minimum of two (2) years of full-time work experience as a licensed PE performing electrical engineering related activities at an electric utility, electric cooperative or municipally owned electric utility; and an active Professional Engineer (PE) License in Texas.
• Engineer V: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor or post-graduate degree in engineering, business with coursework in engineering, or related field; a minimum of four (4) years of full-time work experience as a licensed PE performing electrical engineering related activities at an electric utility, electric cooperative or municipally owned electric utility; and an active Professional Engineer (PE) License in Texas.
• Engineer VI: Graduation from an accredited four (4) year college or university with a bachelor or post-graduate degree in engineering, business with coursework in engineering, or related field; a minimum of six (6) years of full-time work experience as a licensed PE performing electrical engineering related activities at an electric utility, electric cooperative or municipally owned electric utility; and an active Professional Engineer (PE) License in Texas.

PREFERRED QUALIFICTIONS:

• Experience as an expert witness in regulatory hearings.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Must possess the required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Skill in the use of personal computers, MS Office software and other software programs.
• Skill in technical research and writing.
• Skill in preparing technical reports.
• Ability to handle pressure with providing testimony under oath and defending agency positions.
• Ability to monitor and work on multiple tasks with varying time schedule and meet deadlines.
• Ability to interpret the Commission’s rules and regulations and apply them equitably.
• Ability to train less experienced staff.
• Ability to assimilate and use diverse, complex information to advance the Commission’s goals.
• Ability to communicate complex concepts orally and in writing.
• Ability to work efficiently independently, as a team member or as team leader, depending on the particular assignment.
• Ability to work harmoniously with Commission personnel, industry stakeholders, personnel of the legislature, other government agencies, and the public.
• Ability to attend work regularly and adhere to approved work schedule.

TELECOMMUTING ELIGIBILITY:

• This position is eligible for telecommuting up to three (3) days a week but may require team members to come into the office for scheduled meetings, and there may be unscheduled requests with appropriate notice for any PUC business need.
• If approved to telecommute, must have a secure workspace with reliable Internet service to perform duties, ability to maintain a reliable consistent work schedule and be available for weekly meetings and group collaboration via Microsoft Teams and other applications during regular business hours.

REMARKS

• All information provided in connection with an application for employment must be true and complete, and any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may be grounds for refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
• Salary commensurate with qualifications.
• The salary of an ERS Retiree or non-contributing member may be 9.5% less than the offered salary.
• An internal applicant who is selected for a position in their current salary group with the same or new state classification title may not receive a salary increase.
• An internal applicant is not eligible to apply for a class title within their current classification series in their division unless it is a supervisory position.
• Candidates invited to interview may be given a writing skills exercise.
• If required for position, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified on the selected candidate through either the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas.
• Some positions may require additional work hours including evenings, weekends, or holidays to meet critical deadlines. Employees will earn compensatory time or overtime dependent on FLSA status.
• More than one position may be filled under this posting. Employees are required to comply with agency policies and provisions outlined in the employee handbook.
• The job posting in no way states or implies that the duties listed above are exclusive.  Employees are required to perform other duties as may be assigned.
• A satisfactory driving record is required for driving a state or personal vehicle to conduct agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving record evaluated in accordance with the Commission’s Traffic Safety policy.
• For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify proof of Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Any males born after January 1, 1960 who are not registered will need to provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
• The Public Utility Commission participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee's Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
• The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUC employees' investments, professional activities, and relationships with regard to "public utilities," as defined by Texas Utilities Code § 11.004. Most PUC employees cannot be an officer, employee, or consultant of a "trade association," and may not be married to an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a "trade association." (See Tex. Util. Code § 12.153.) The trade associations to which this restriction apply are defined in Texas Utilities Code § 11.003(21), and are limited to electric or telecommunications industry-related associations. (The trade association restrictions do not apply to employees who are eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.)
• PUC employees are prohibited from having a pecuniary interest in a public utility, a public utility affiliate, or "a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates." (Tex. Util. Code § 12.154(a)(1).) A pecuniary interest is a financial interest and includes investments, such as ownership or stock holdings, or interest as an officer, director, partner, employee, attorney, or consultant. However, it does not include interests "held indirectly by ownership of an interest in a retirement system, institution, or fund that in the normal course of business invests in diverse securities independently" of your control. (Tex. Util. Code § 12.154(g).)
• The PUC has a Post-Employment Restriction – details furnished upon request.
• The PUC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and recruits, hires, trains, and promotes into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or participation in protected activity. Female and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.