Energy/Utilities Engineer 3

Salary: $84,528.00 - $110,952.00 Annually
Location : Thurston County - Lacey, WA
Job Type: Full Time - Permanent
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number:
Department: Utilities and Transportation Commission
Division: Telecom
Opening Date: 11/03/2026
Closing Date: 11/29/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step

Description
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSION

Energy/Utilities Engineer 3
Salary Consideration: Range 67, Step A ($84,528) - Step L ($110,952) annually.

The starting employment offer will be determined based on the successful candidates' qualifications. Typically Step M of the pay range is a longevity step.

This recruitment is open until November 29, 2026, at 11:59pm.UTC reserves the right to make a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time.
Persons needing accommodation in the application process may contact the recruiter via telephone at (360) 664-1130 or email the UTC HR office at humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Services at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.
The Opportunity:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of an Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 positionwithin the Telecommunications Section of the Regulatory Services DivisionThis advanced position contributes to the commission's statewide public safety engineering programs in telecommunication matters that involve services, resource acquisitions, along with planning and deployment to ensure compliance with applicable laws and rules. The Telecommunications, Water, and Transportation Section plays a pivotal role in guiding the commission through complex regulatory and technical issues by performing rigorous analysis, distilling critical decision points of complex filings, and balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders.
Hybrid:

Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbent must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed.
Travel:

Moderate travel during and outside normal work hours throughout the state or country may be required.

Duties
What you'll do:

Reporting to the Telecommunications Section Manager, the Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 (E/UE 3) investigates, evaluates, and analyzes potentially interrelated engineering, legal, policy, and technical aspects of tariff revisions, industry and company processes, commission policies, and/or other filings made by telecommunications companies. This role serves as the agency's principal technical expert and staff resource on telecommunications engineering including emerging technologies and compliance with rules and regulations, programs, laws, regulatory principles, tariffs and other requirements of the commission.
The E/UE 3 also monitors quality of service outage reports submitted by telecommunication companies to verify that they meet UTC service standards and investigates service quality problems as required by statute and provides technical assistance to companies to ensure they understand those service quality standards. This position provides technology analysis direction, assistance, and coordination at the state and federal level on engineering and/or policy issues relating to the public switched telephone network and newer packet-switched IP-based technology. The E/U3 also understands cybersecurity best practices for the telecommunication industry. The incumbent assists Commissioners, policy staff and other UTC departments with the technical aspects of New Generation services in responding to state and federal issues such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Radio Frequency Interference, National Electrical Safety Code and standards, etc.

Additional duties include, but aren't limited to the following:

• Develops and presents staff recommendations to the commission related to new or emerging technologies in the field of telecommunications.
• Proposes or assists other staff (policy, assistant attorney generals, consumer protection) in proposing industry best practices and policy statements.
• Provides written and oral testimony in formal hearings before the UTC and serves as an engineering consultant for the Commissioners (policy support) and to support staff's legal position by clarifying pertinent technical issues.
• Prepares and presents presentations to the commission regarding staff recommendations for commission action primarily related to new or emerging technologies in the field of telecommunications to provide technical support for the Commissioners as well as management, and other staff (Regulatory Services, policy, Consumer Affairs, ALJs, and AGs) within the commission
• Provides technology analysis direction, assistance and coordination at the state and federal level on engineering and/or policy issues relating to the public switched telephone network and newer packet-switched IP-based technology.
• Assists Commissioners, policy staff and other UTC departments with the technical aspects of New Generation services in responding to state and federal issues such as Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Radio Frequency Interference, National Electrical Safety Code and standards, etc.
• Reviews telecommunication pole attachments to ensure compliance with the state's regulations and in accordance with industry standard code and safety rules.
• Negotiates, discusses and recommends solutions and/or terms regarding complex complaints, company programs and service quality, contested issues, and other concerns with regulated companies; customers and/or consumers, and other parties or stakeholders.
• Provides external representation on industry task forces or panels relating to telecommunication issues, maintains technical proficiency and communicates commission positions to outside groups.

Qualifications
Required Qualifications:

The commission values diverse career paths and recognizes that competencies may be acquired through a combination of education, training, certifications, research, volunteer service, lived experience, military service, professional practice, or other demonstrated accomplishments.

• Bachelor's degree with major study in engineering or related field from an accredited institution whose accreditation is recognized by the US Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or foreign equivalent.

AND

• Demonstrated experience with:
  
  • Developing short- and long-range plans; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting complex data.
  • Participating in quasi-judicial, evidentiary, and quasi-legislative proceedings, particularly as practiced at UTC.
  • Collaborating with government agencies, elected officials, commission staff, Commissioners, attorneys, industry representatives and the public.
  • Applying regulatory theory and practice within current and emerging regulatory environment, including knowledge of statutes, decisions, and innovative regulatory approaches in other jurisdictions.
  • Negotiating mutually beneficial outcomes or policy goals in contested or controversial situations; understanding and communicating the interests of consumers and providers; building internal and external support for telecommunications recommendations to the Commissioners.
  • Leading and implementing innovations and changes necessary to continuously improve agency processes.
  • Working in and/or leading teams of professionals in multiple disciplines; mentoring, coaching, encouraging and providing constructive feedback to junior staff.
  • Demonstrating knowledge of major policy, technical and operation issues in telecommunications.

OR

• Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: engineering, cybersecurity, telecommunications, network development and testing or a closely related field.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities in:

Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the following:

• Extensive experience in conducting research and analytical work involving regulatory, policy, financial, economic, legal, scientific, technical, or public administration matters.
• Highly proficient in the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative information; identifying trends or issues; drawing supported conclusions; and developing recommendations based on data, research, and analysis.
• Advanced practitioner with interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies, procedures, or regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing and verbally with diverse audiences in both formal and informal settings.
• Strong practitioner in building and maintaining productive, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders, partners, and coworkers.
• Consistently manages complex projects, assignments, timelines, priorities, or process improvement objectives.
• Highly proficient in conducting research, analysis, regulatory, policy, compliance, auditing, investigative, or closely related experience

In addition to the ability to use information technology resources effectively, applicants must have advanced knowledge of:

• Engineering and technical developments in the telecommunications industry, such as packet-switched telephony, Signaling System Seven (SS7), telephone switch operations, telephone number portability and outside plants.
• Major national or international design standards in telecommunications, such as BellCore, COCAG; SmartGrid Security and Privacy, Electric Power Research Institute, NESC, Internet Engineering Task Force.
• Major national or international telecommunications transport standards such as Integrated Services Digital Network, Asynchronous Transfer Mode, Multiprotocol Label Switching, Ethernet, and Synchronous Optical Network.
• All facets of the telecommunications industry and the business interests of both regulated and non-regulated providers.
• Ongoing technology and market changes will require this individual to complete continuing education requirements as assigned by a supervisor.

Demonstration of EDI Competencies (expected of all employees):

• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.
• DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship

Demonstration of UTC Core Competencies (expected of all employees):

• Accountability
• DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship
• Measuring Success and Improvement
• Customer Focus
• Results Focus
• Communication Skills
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Self-Development
• Continuous Process Improvement

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

One or a combination of the following:

• An advanced degree in electrical, civil, mechanical, chemical, computer, network, telecommunications, or industrial engineering.
• Three (3) or more years' experience in a team or project management capacity.
• Knowledge of or the ability to learn:
• Principles, practices, methods, terminology, and emerging trends in wireline communications sy