ATTENTION! Those looking for a career that helps make Oregon's electrical utilities safer, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) has an excellent opportunity you don't want to miss! PUC has an opening for an Electric Safety & Reliability Analyst to join our team in the Utility Safety, Reliability, and Security Division. A few of the current issues in front of the Commission that require engineering analysis include reliability implications of distributed energy resources, analysis of transmission capacity, wildfire mitigation impacts to risk and reliability and optimal system hardening, analysis of system investments during rate cases, and impact of increased local distributed resources on system safety and reliability.

Do you have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), Electrical Transmission and Distribution System Operations and Reliability, and enjoy working in a team and with the public? If this sounds like you and you desire to become a public steward and make your community a safer place, then apply now!

Please Note: New employees to PUC who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members (those meeting eligibility requirements at time of hire) are paid within the PERS-eligible/AP salary range for this position as follows:

Utility and Energy Analyst 3 / PERS-AP Salary Range: $6,757 - $10,416 monthly (for active PERS members reflecting a monthly 6.95% contribution/increase): Employees who are not yet a PERS participating member, will receive the 6.95% increase (6% employee contribution) upon meeting PERS eligibility, generally, after completion of six-months of qualifying State of Oregon employment.

PUC Overview:

Celebrating more than 150 years of history, the work of the PUC impacts nearly every household throughout the state. The agency’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest to arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, and independent decisions supported by fact and law. The PUC is responsible for just and reasonable pricing by the Oregon's investor-owned electric, natural gas, and telephone utilities, as well as select water companies via economic regulation.

This is done through robust analysis and independent decision-making conducted in an open and fair quasi-judicial hearings process. 

Our office is located in downtown Salem, in close proximity to the State Capitol, and we maintain a Portland satellite office.

Working conditions:

Employee works a professional workweek, which may entail work during evening or irregular hours to respond to emergencies affecting utility operators in the state.

Requires field work throughout the state of Oregon up to sixty percent of the time. Frequent statewide travel of one or more days is required, which includes driving in hazardous traffic and weather conditions, and in areas of rough terrain. Possible exposure to contentious situations with the public in remote areas. Work may include ascending/descending platforms and using stairs/ladders to access facilities and work sites to complete inspections. Requires considerable walking in rough terrain when inspecting new construction and existing facilities. May lift or move up to 25 lbs. for several hundred yards. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Work is completed under strict timelines and changing priorities.

Hybrid-Remote Work:

Currently, when not preforming field work, employees who live in the State of Oregon may request approval for hybrid-remote work (generally from the employee’s personal residence). This position may be performed remotely, and at our central office in Salem, and at the PUC’s Portland satellite office. The ability to report to Salem and Portland is required when business or operational needs are necessary for onsite activities. Hybrid-remote work is evaluated periodically to ensure business needs are being met and can be adjusted at any time.

Benefits for joining our Team:

The PUC has stable funding through an assessment levied on the regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utilities. We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, learn, and grow professionally. As a State of Oregon agency, we offer:

• Rewarding work in a productive and creative environment.

• Colleagues who are innovative and passionate about public service.

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.

• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

More information about the PUC can be found online at: www.oregon.gov/PUC.

What’s in it for you:

Working at the PUC, you will be at the right place at the right time. You will be a member of a nationally recognized and respected electric safety program. The work is extremely important in keeping neighborhoods safe and reliably delivering electric service. You will also have the opportunity to work with an incredible group of professionals in the Utility Safety, Security, and Reliability Division, all of whom are passionate about the division’s mission to ensure utilities deliver safe, reliable and cost-effective service to Oregonians.

You also get to work in Oregon, which is a beautiful, large, and amazing state! In Oregon, there are three large investor-owned electric utilities in addition to 38 cooperative utilities and a large number of telecommunications operators (who also are governed to deliver safely on utility poles through state law). You will get to see and work in a state with great geographic diversity.

What you will do as an Electric Safety and Reliability Analyst:

In Oregon, utility poles are used by electric utilities, telecommunications providers, cable operators, and other various government entities. When violations of the Oregon Administrative Rules and National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) pertaining to use of these facilities occur, the violations must be classified and addressed. The person in this position conducts audits of utility facility inspections, and manages the collection of detailed inspection findings, violation deferral agreements, and deferral plans of correction. This person will also provide reports and expert witness testimony on energy and telecommunications operations methods and provide leadership in joint use planning between stakeholders for pole attachments.

The Electric Safety and Reliability Analyst ensures the safety and reliability of electric utility service through technical analysis of electric utility transmission and distribution data and physical plant assessment. The person in this position serves a key, on the ground, investigation, inspection, and auditing function, necessary for the PUC to ensure safe operation of utility and power facilities. They also function as one of the Commission's subject matter experts to evaluate regulatory issues, policies and system reliability, adequacy or performance. This ensures the Commission's decision making and regulatory practices are supported by utility engineering principles and practices. In addition, the Electric Safety and Reliability Analyst provides theoretical and practical explanations to the public, utility operators, and both internal and external stakeholders, regarding reliability standards, safety standards, NESC, industry best practices and applicable administrative rules.

Major duties include:

Electric and Telecommunications (Operators) System Inspection and Maintenance

• Conducts field audits/investigations across the state of Oregon of electric and telecommunications operators to verify compliance with applicable Oregon Administrative Rules and the NESC. The audits and investigations will be performed at operators' facilities throughout the State. Conducts in-depth investigations and analysis of operator's electric supply and communication facilities. Analyzes records and performs field inspections of utility energy and telecommunication facilities. Reviews companies' standard procedures, inspection reports, system failure information and project cost estimates. Independently evaluates the operation and maintenance of the utilities network systems. When appropriate, recommends preventive measures to eliminate or reduce possible recurrence of similar violations.

• Responsible for the consistent interpretation and enforcement of policies adopted through PUC Commission order.

• Responds to inquiries from the public, the utility or energy industry, state agencies, and PUC management and staff. Interprets and applies Oregon Administrative Rules applicable to pole attachment contracts and dispute resolution on a variety of functional areas.

• Provides consultation and recommendations on energy and telecommunications operations. Responsible for violation report preparation, writing, and presentation to each operator audited on investigative findings. Responsible for technical accuracy of data and findings. Serves as expert witness and policy advisor in docketed proceedings.

• Represent the Commission, and acts as spokesperson about Commission policies with other state or federal agencies, industry associations, utilities, local governments, community organizations, and members of the public on Commissions safety and pole attachment rules.

• Works with the Attorney General's office to discuss regulatory policy, clarify case issues, develop cross-examination, or complete review questions for utility and intervener experts or applicants, and participates in preparing legal briefs used in contested case proceedings. Prepares written testimony and defends testimony under adverse legal cross-examination in public meeting, court, legislative, and other legal proceedings.

Electric System Theory and Operations:

• Partners with Utility Analysts in policy- and rates-focused positions to guide policy development regarding renewable generation, distributed energy resources, and storage. Serves as a subject matter expert regarding current hardware, software, and general operating abilities of the state's transmission and distribution systems.

• Provides operational and theoretical reasoning behind the NESC, industry best practices, and other related standards.

• Participates in workshops and forums to increase knowledge and expertise on transmission and distribution issues, particularly with respect to the physical and operational capabilities and limitations of systems.

• As needed, requests and reviews data from utilities to evaluate operational performance, system outages and reliability trends.

• Conclusions from this analysis may result in discussions with utilities regarding maintenance needs, recommendations, or operational changes to specific facilities.

• Responds to complaints received in the agency's Consumer Services Program regarding power quality and reliability that requires engineering knowledge of operations and theory.

• Leads the cooperation and joint planning processes with various energy and telecommunications operators, utility associations, other state agencies, and members of the public to get needed programs into operation and ensure that they are functioning effectively.

• Represents the PUC to other state or federal agencies, industry associations, utilities, local governments, community organizations, and members of the public. In this role, attends meetings, workshops and conferences; frequently makes topic-specific presentations.

• Provides professional-level consultative services to the following utility industry organizations and agencies: Oregon Utility Safety Committee (OUSC), Oregon Joint Use Association (OJUA), Oregon Utility Notification Center (OUNC) and Oregon OSHA.

• On occasion, may prepare formal written testimony, defend findings, or make recommendations in formal Commission administrative hearings.

What we are looking for:

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies or a closely related degree AND four years of professional-level work experience applying utility system principles to the design and operations of utility Transmission and Distribution systems.

OR

Seven years of work experience applying utility system principles to the design and operations of utility Transmission and Distribution systems; four of which must have been at the professional-level.

A Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies or a closely related degree will substitute for one year of the professional-level work experience.

A Doctorate degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies or a closely related degree will substitute for two years of the professional-level work experience.

The most competitive candidates will possess the following requested background, skills, and work experience: (Note: You do not need to have education or work experience related to all the following requested skills to be considered for this position.)

• Currently licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the State of Oregon.

• Professional-level work experience assessing electric utility reliability.

• Work experience with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards (or utility specific construction standards based on the NESC) and inspections as it applies to both electric and telecommunication facilities.

• Work experience conducting field audits, inspections, or other troubleshooting related activities for electric utility facilities.

• Work experience investigating the cause(s) of utility facility incidents (i.e., outages, accidents, etc.).

• Work experience clearly documenting compliance of a given program against relevant specifications.

• Work experience developing written comments and delivering verbal recommendations or proposals to inform or influence the decision makers of an organization.

• Work experience, or advanced education that provided opportunity for, presenting technical information about electrical utility operations to individuals or groups who may not have a strong technical background.

• Work experience interacting with different levels of utility management in a diplomatic and respectful manner to resolve technical issues.

• Work experience where the position required working in a remote area, private property, rights of way, or with property owners.

• Professional-level work experience leading or managing technical projects.

• Professional-level work experience conducting research, analysis, and composing reports.

How to Apply:

Click on the "Apply" link above to complete your online application and submit by the posted closing date and time. For step-by-step instructions, click apply to work for the state or current state employee.

The work experience and/or education section of your application must clearly demonstrate how you meet all the minimum qualifications and desired skills and attributes listed above.

• Attach your current resume.

• Your resume and Workday job history will be reviewed by PUC to determine if you will move forward to the interview process. 

Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. Your application materials will be used to determine salary based on an equal pay calculator. For further information, please visit the Oregon Department of Administrative Services Equal Pay homepage.

Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act contact PUC Human Resource Analyst Jessica Leedham at 503-580-5740.

Additional Information:

• Candidates whose training and/or experience most closely match the requirements and needs of the position may be eligible for an interview.  Submissions will be screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level.

• Eligible veterans who meet the qualifications will be given veterans' preference. Click on the following link for additional information on Veterans’ Preference.

• The PUC does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three-days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.

• If you are hired, you may be required to provide facts about past employment and present financial interests if they could be connected with the businesses regulated by the PUC.

• This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates; this list will be used to fill the current opening and may be used to fill other openings as they occur.

• The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.

• For positions approved for hybrid/remote, demonstrate suitability for remote work, including access to a broadband internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements.

• The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

The PUC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.

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