Public Utilities Engineer III

Class Concept

This is advanced and highly specialized professional engineering work in regulating the establishment, operation, acquisition, extension, or curtailment of electric, natural gas, telecommunications, or water and sewer public utility services.

Positions in this class perform as technical experts in highly technical areas of utilities regulation such as generation facilities, telephone rate separation analysis, and electric rate evaluations. Responsibilities include advising other staff members in these areas, reviewing proposals submitted by utility companies, and keeping abreast of changing technologies in their specialty areas. Positions may function as team leaders in the review of the largest and most complex cases. Work is performed independently with little internal technical review.

Recruitment Requirements

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Thorough knowledge of engineering principles, practices, and techniques as applied to the design, construction, operation, maintenance, expansion, and rate structure determination of public utilities.
• Thorough knowledge of modern trends, techniques, and practices of public utility companies and public utility regulatory agencies.
• Thorough knowledge of the policies, laws, orders, rules, regulations, and guidelines of the N. C. Utilities Commission and various federal utility regulatory agencies and/or commissions.
• Ability to design and conduct independent research and studies of a technical nature.
• Ability to review and evaluate trends, projections, and practices and to draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and cooperative working relationships with associates, federal regulatory agency representatives and officials, utility officials, and the general public.
• Ability to prepare and render expert testimony in formal hearings and court.

Minimum Education and Experience

Bachelor's degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and four (4)years of experience in utilities operational and regulatory engineering work; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Necessary Special Requirements

May require registration as a professional engineer by the North Carolina Board of Examiners for Engineers and Surveyors.