Public Utilities Engineer II

CompanyInsurance
LocationWake County, NC
CategorySoftware Engineering
Seniority-
Workplace-
Posted2026-09-16
Viaworkday

Description

Agency

Dept of Commerce

Division

Utilities-Public Staff

Job Classification Title

Public Utilities Engineer II (NS)

Position Number

60081057

Grade

NC20

About Us

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity.

Description of Work

Are you looking for meaningful public service work that will positively impact the residents of North Carolina? If your answer is yes, we want you to join our team at the Utilities Commission.

The Department of Commerce, Division of Public Staff Utilities Commission, is looking for an Public Utilities Engineer II.

This is a technical professional engineering role within a regulatory environment concerning operation, acquisition, extension, or curtailment of water/sewer public utility services and the implementation of policies.

Responsibilities include:

  • Review of utility companies’ proposals for changes in operation or rates; utilities response to federal and state regulations.
  • Reviews special studies.
  • Preparation and delivery of expert engineering testimony at hearings before the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) on major portions of utility companies’ proposals.

At the Engineer II level, the engineer performs responsibilities on utility filings of a moderate to high degree of complexity and scope, and with moderate supervision of the Division Director.

This a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.

Incentives of NC State Employment
We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits.

Benefits to include:

  • 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave.
  • North Carolina State Health Plan currently administered by Aetna.
  • Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, and Vision.
  • NC State Retirement (TSERS), 401(k), and 457 savings plans.
  • WeSave Employee Discounts.
  • Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below: https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

Note to Current State Employees
The salary grade for this position is NC20. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon those factors, a pay increase MAY result.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities/Management Preferences

This is a Repost - Current candidates are still being considered and do not need to reapply

Recruitment Range: $70,480 - $92,000

Important: This posting closes at 11:59:59 PM the night BEFORE the End Date above

Management Preferences - Optional: These skills are not required but managers may choose to interview/select applicants who demonstrate Management Preferences.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities / Competencies

  • Demonstrated knowledge of, or ability to acquire knowledge, of engineering principles and practices as applied to the design, permitting, construction, operation, maintenance, expansion, and rate structure determination of public water/sewer utilities.
  • Demonstrated knowledge, or ability to acquire knowledge, of modern trends, techniques, and practices of public water/sewer utility service and regulation.
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate, in written and oral testimony, detailed and technical engineering information, guidelines and standards/statutes/codes/regulations to various audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to identify issues, obtain relevant information, relate and compare data from different sources, and identify alternate solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to use effective approaches for choosing a course of action or developing appropriate solutions and/or reaching conclusions.

Education and Experience Requirements

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENT IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience.” If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience, OR a combination of both. See the  OSHR Guide  for details.

Bachelor's degree in an applicable field of engineering from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3)years of experience in utility operational or regulatory engineering work;

Or

An equivalent combination of education and experience.

Special Qualification

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

Supplemental and Contact Information

The Public Staff is an independent agency created in 1977 to review, investigate, and make appropriate recommendations to the North Carolina Utilities Commission with respect to the reasonableness of rates charged and adequacy of service provided by any public utility and with respect to the consistency with the public policy of assuring an energy supply adequate to protect the public health and safety. The Public Staff shall intervene on behalf of the using and consuming public in all Commission proceedings affecting rates or service.

The Public Staff will also:

  • Petition the Commission to initiate proceedings when in the public interest;
  • Participate in all certificate applications and assist the Commission in analysis;
  • Make recommendations to the Commission with respect to standards, regulations, or practices;
  • Investigate formal and informal complaints affecting the using and consuming public;
  • Participate in all proceedings for franchise transfers, mergers, and consolidations of public utilities;
  • Review, investigate, and recommend action to the Commission regarding affiliate contracts.

About the Department of Commerce
The  North Carolina Department of Commerce  is the state's lead agency for economic, community, and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national, and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.

Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws, and Executive Orders. Commerce does not provide employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and throughout employment.

NC Department of Commerce uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the  State Human Resources Act  with the most qualified individuals.

The Minimum Education and Experience (E&E) is REQUIRED to qualify for this position. All work history and education (including accurate dates of employment/attendance) must be documented on the application. Transcripts may be attached to supplement education and work experience may include internships, volunteerism, and full and part-time work. Supplemental Questions are also a required part of the application: answers must reference education or work exper