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: Pipeline Safety
Opening Date: 09/02/2026
Closing Date: 9/16/2026 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

Pipeline Safety Inspector

Energy/Utilities Engineer 3
Salary Consideration: Range 67, Step A ($84,528) - Step L ($110,952) annually.
These positions may be filled as an Energy/Utilities Engineer 1 or 2 in-training. The incumbents will advance to the goal class of Engineer/Utilities Engineer 3 after satisfactory completion of the extensive training requirements. The salary for the Energy/Utilities Engineer 1 is $4,746 to $6,229 per month. The salary for the Energy/Utilities Engineer 2 is $6,075 to $7,973 per month.
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 September 16 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 two (2) Energy/Utility Engineer 3 positions to support the mission of the Pipeline Safety Division and are specifically aimed at enhancing public health and safety through regulatory compliance. These positions may be filled with a twelve (12) month in-training plan as an Energy/Utilities Engineer 1 or may be filled with a twelve (12) month in-training plan Energy/Utilities Engineer 2 to the class goal of Energy/Utilities Engineer 3. The positions primarily conduct inspections of regulated hazardous liquid and gas pipeline companies to ensure compliance with state and federal pipeline safety rules and regulations.

Hybrid:

Although these are hybrid opportunities, the successful incumbents must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building as needed.
Travel:

These positions necessitate travel throughout Washington state and occasionally other parts of the U.S. that involve overnight stays for inspections, incidents, training, conferences, and for meetings. This may occur during and/or outside normal work hours (including remote locations) that may include overnight stays.
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
The Position:

Reporting to the Energy/Utility Engineer 4, these positions inspect regulated hazardous liquid and gas pipelines, respond to and investigate incidents; provide technical assistance to pipeline operators, local governments, and communities; and improve safety laws and regulations.
What you'll do:

You'll be responsible for validating compliance with and enhancing safety standards required for natural gas and hazardous liquid pipelines located within the state. This is done primarily by conducting safety inspections of regulated hazardous liquid and gas pipeline companies to ensure compliance with state and federal pipeline safety rules and regulations. This work will require someone who is independent, efficient and can balance competing priorities.
The successful incumbents interact with other pipeline safety engineers, UTC Consumer Protection and Regulatory Services staff, support staff, and assistant attorney general assigned to the program. Additionally, you'll work with the Commissioners, other officials from the Federal Pipeline & Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), other state pipeline safety program representatives, regulated pipeline personnel, local government, and the general public.
Additional duties include, but aren't limited to the following:

• Conducts independent complex standard and specialized inspections and assessments of both interstate and intrastate gas and hazardous liquid pipeline facilities, operations, and maintenance in order to determine compliance with state and federal regulations.
• Investigates natural gas incidents and hazardous liquid accidents to determine cause, operator responsibility and potential violations of Federal and State Pipeline Safety Standards. Prepares a written report of findings and conclusions with potential recommendations for enforcement actions.
• Reviews and analyzes records pertaining to operators' compliance with Federal Pipeline Safety Standards (i.e., 49 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) sections 191 through 199), and state gas and liquid pipeline safety rules as defined by Washington Administrative Codes (WAC).
• Conducts compliance activities to include, but are not limited to, review of operation and maintenance manuals, operation and maintenance activities, evaluation of operator's design and operation of equipment, pipelines, pipeline pressure control and overpressure protection devices. This will involve fieldwork in remote locations for extended periods.
• Performs activities that include calculations of pressure relief capacity, safe operating pressures, corrosion control procedures to preserve integrity of steel pipe systems, odorization monitoring operation and maintenance plans, emergency plans and procedures to ensure public safety during an emergency.
• Compiles, prepares, enters, and updates records, data, reports and other information in program databases, files, and other storage media in order to document inspection and investigative findings.

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.
Energy/Utilities Engineer 1 (E/UE1) In-Training Level Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• One (1) year of relevant work experience in federal and state enforcement of pipeline safety regulations including the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline systems.

AND
The ability to meet the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Engineering and Technical Analysis: Learn and apply engineering principles, technical standards, and analytical methods to evaluate complex utility, energy, telecommunications, transportation, water, or infrastructure systems; learn to analyze engineering, operational, financial, or technical data and develop evidence-based conclusions and recommendations; and learn to evaluate system performance, reliability, safety, efficiency, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Learn to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, tariffs, technical standards, policies, and industry practices; learn to assess the impacts of regulatory, operational, financial, or technical proposals on customers, regulated entities, and the public interest; and learn to develop clear recommendations that balance technical, economic, operational, and regulatory considerations.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Learn to identify complex problems, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions; learn to exercise sound professional judgment when analyzing incomplete, conflicting, or highly technical information; and learn to anticipate risks, consequences, and implementation challenges associated with proposed actions.
• Written and Oral Communication: Learn to communicate complex technical concepts and findings clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences; learn to prepare reports, testimony, recommendations, technical memoranda, presentations, or briefing materials that support decision-making; and learn to explain technical analyses and respond to questions from stakeholders, leadership, decision-makers, or the public.
• Project Leadership and Work Management: Learn to independently manage multiple projects or assignments while meeting deadlines and quality expectations; learn to plan, organize, prioritize, and coordinate work involving multiple stakeholders and competing priorities; and learn to lead technical workgroups, project teams, investigations, or cross-functional initiatives.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Learn to build productive working relationships with colleagues, regulated entities, industry representatives, consultants, governmental partners, and members of the public; learn to facilitate discussions and work effectively with individuals holding diverse perspectives and interests; and learn to demonstrate professionalism, integrity, accountability, and respect in all interactions.
• Continuous Learning and Adaptability: Learn to maintain current knowledge of emerging technologies, industry practices, engineering methods, and regulatory developments; and learn to adapt to changing priorities, technologies, and organizational needs while maintaining high-quality work.

Energy/Utilities Engineer 2 (E/UE2) In-Training Level Required Education, Experience, and Competencies:

• Two (2) years of relevant work experience in federal and state enforcement of pipeline safety regulations including the design, construction, operation and maintenance of pipeline systems. This position typically will work in collaboration with a E/UE3 although may be assigned some independent work subject to approval of Chief Engineer.

AND
The ability to demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Engineering and Technical Analysis: Independently apply engineering principles, technical standards, and analytical methods to evaluate complex utility, energy, telecommunications, transportation, water, or infrastructure systems; independently analyze engineering, operational, financial, or technical data and develop evidence-based conclusions and recommendations; and independently evaluate system performance, reliability, safety, efficiency, and compliance with applicable requirements.
• Regulatory and Policy Analysis: Independently interpret and apply statutes, regulations, tariffs, technical standards, policies, and industry practices; independently assess the impacts of regulatory, operational,