Professional Engineer II: DORA/Public Utilities Commission - Hybrid

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement: 

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business needs.  

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission. 

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail. 

• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more! 

• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.

• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Tuition assistance program.

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state.

The Energy Section work unit generally exists to provide professional analysis, technical and policy testimony, and/or advice and recommendations on engineering, economic, financial, and operational matters. The Engineers Section is made up of professionals with engineering or other technical/analytic credentials. The section is at times supplemented by outside engineering or technical experts. The unit functions as a team to challenge, develop, present, and recommend complex engineering, financial and legal approaches in utility regulation. The team functions both in formal legal proceedings and informal negotiations and contacts with regulated companies. In performing these functions, the work unit must balance the need for financially healthy utilities with the needs of the consumers to receive safe, reliable utility service at reasonable rates. An increasingly important function of the work unit is to assist in the evolution of new regulatory structures in the face of the new business environment brought about by: increased focus on consumer protection; emerging technologies and increasing competition in many areas of utility operations; and emerging environmental regulations; and related costs of traditional utility services.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Evaluating projected performance, technology risks, costs, and compliance with Colorado Revised Statutes and Commission rules;

• Reviewing and preparing complex spreadsheet analyses for cost recovery of: renewable energy plans; demand-side management plans; and clean heat plans;

• Participating as Commission trial staff in contested proceedings where customer-sited renewable generation is a consideration or in demand-side management proceedings where clean heat plans are a consideration;

• Managing assigned work activities when assigned as a member of a multi-discipline rulemaking team by effectively planning, organizing, and completing assigned responsibilities;

• Advising the Commissioners on non-adjudicated or uncontested matters where customer-sited solar generation is at issue or where a clean heat plan is at issue;

• Developing objectives, schedules, and draft rules consistent with Commission directives.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

• Current, valid licensure as a Professional Engineer from the Colorado State Board of Licensure for Architects, Professional Engineers, and Professional Land Surveyors; AND

• Two (2) years of professional* experience in civil, environmental, electrical, industrial, petroleum, mechanical, and/or structural engineering, one (1) of which must have been as a licensed professional engineer.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed.  Part time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS: 

• A master’s degree in addition to that required for the professional engineer license will substitute for one (1) year of required experience.

• A doctoral degree in addition to that required for the professional engineer license will substitute for two (2) years of required experience.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience in the state position performing engineering work;

• Demonstrated professional* work experience in the electric or gas utility industry or the infrastructure planning and management industry;

• Demonstrated professional* experience analyzing and researching emerging fuel markets and/or delivery systems;

• Experience analyzing load impacts, appliance loads, and building environment;

• Beneficial electrification experience and understanding the benefits and challenges of electrification, analyzing and strategizing the feasibility of electrification projects and initiatives;

• Demand-side management or energy efficiency program experience including managing and measuring impacts and reducing energy demand;

• Experience working on energy policy including understanding the policy landscape, analyzing impacts on the energy sector, and providing insights and recommendations for policy development and implementation;

• Public policy experience, including understanding the processes and frameworks involved in developing, implementing, and evaluating policy;

• Experience explaining and breaking down complex, technical engineering concepts into layman’s terms.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;

• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;

• Demonstrated attention to detail;

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;

• Demonstrated ability to research highly complicated/technical matters;

• Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team;

• Demonstrated presentation skills, including the ability to demonstrate technical expertise in front of authorities;

• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;

• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;

• Integrity and high ethical standards;

• Accountability, reliability, including attendance;

• Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;

• Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of the supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;

• Demonstrated professional demeanor;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, Slides, etc).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.

  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information, etc.

  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor.

• Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.

• Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the most recent State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and current guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Part of the comparative analysis process and/or the interview process may be conducted through remote video conferencing (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application.  Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness.  Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates. 

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dora_adacoordinator@state.co.us.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.

Appeal Rights: 

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.

Salary : $8,748 - $10,497