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: Energy Transformation
Opening Date: 07/08/2026
Closing Date: 7/29/2026 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 July 29, 2026, at 11:59pm.

UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. Applications for this recruitment could be used to fill comparable positions that open within the next 60 days.
The Opportunity:The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of an Energy/Utilities Engineer 3 positionwithin the Energy Transformation 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 Energy Transformation Section provides regulatory oversight of seven (7) electric and natural gas utilities serving approximately 3 million customers in Washington State with annual revenues exceeding $4.5 billion.
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.
What We Offer Our Employees:

• UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
• We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
• We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

Our Values:

• Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.

How to Apply:

Interested in joining the UTC team? Click the Apply button at the top to begin! We only consider candidates for further screening if the following documents are attached to your completed application packet.

1. Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
2. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.

1. References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses. One (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process.

Please note, see resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or supplemental questionnaire.
Duties
What you'll do:

Reporting to the Energy Transformation Deputy Director, 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:

• 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.
• Two (2) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in telecommunications, utilities, energy, or regulatory oversight. At least one (1) year of experience must include the design, construction, or maintenance of radio or wire communications systems. An advanced degree in one of these fields listed above may substitute for one (1) year of desired experience.

OR

• Six (6) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in utilities, energy, or regulatory oversight in telecommunications, with an emphasis in legacy networks (Public Switched Telephone Network, T1), wireless networks (mobile radio 4G LTE and 5G, and high-speed fiber optic networks or alternative technological solutions.

Demonstrated Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities in:

Telecommunications:

In addition to the ability to use information technology resources effectively, the incumbent 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, Synchronous Optical Network.
• All facets of the telecommunications industry and the business interests of both regulated and non-regulated providers.

Core Competencies:

• Customer Focus - Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customers to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
• Results Focus - Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
• Communication Skills - Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
• Adaptability/Flexibility - Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Self-Development - Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeking developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.

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 engineering, civil, computer, network, telecommunications, mechanical, chemical, or industrial engineering.
• Three (3) or more years' experience in a team or project management capacity.
• Knowledge of:
  • Principles, practices, methods, terminology, and emerging trends in wireline communications systems engineering, as well as mobile and microwave radio communications