This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
This is supervisory engineering work planning and coordinating design evaluations and engineering analysis of utilities regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC).
An employee in this class plans, organizes and supervises the activities of an engineering unit responsible for the analysis of utility operations and the evaluation of engineering designs for a group of utilities or functional area such as depreciation. Work involves reviewing and preparing material to be used as testimony in PSC hearings on utility rates, services, construction or production, and participating in the evaluation of engineering designs and the development of recommendations on major projects. Work may also involve gas pipeline safety inspection and incident investigations. Supervision is exercised over professional and technical staff, directly or through subordinate lead workers. General direction is received from an administrative superior; however, the employee exercises a high degree of independent judgment in establishing engineering standards and procedures, and work is reviewed for conformance to established policies.
Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
(The following entrance requirements are used to admit or reject applicants for merit system examinations, or may be used to evaluate applicants for employment in positions not requiring selection from merit system registers. When applicable, equivalent substitution will be allowed for deficiencies in experience or education.)
Two years of experience as a Utility Regulatory Engineer I or Utility Engineering Specialist III with the Missouri Public Service Commission.
OR
Five years of engineering experience, of which three years must have been in a regulatory or utility environment; and graduation from a college or university with a Bachelor's degree in civil, electrical, mechanical, structural, nuclear, industrial or engineering management with the curriculum approved by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology. (Graduate work in the specified education areas may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required general experience.)
Some assignments require the ability to obtain certification as a gas safety inspector by the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) within a timeframe established by the Public Service Commission.
This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.
Supervises the work of professional and technical engineering personnel, directly and through subordinate lead workers; assigns specific duties such as conducting investigations or research, preparing technical, informative or operational reports and papers, or working on special projects.
Coordinates the compilation of facts and establishment of staff positions on issues such as equipment capacities, interconnecting system traffic, system loads, acquisition and installation costs, flow rates or fuel cycles.
Coordinates the analysis and evaluation of data associated with type, size, quantity and age of equipment in order to support cost evaluation or depreciation studies.
Prepares and files grant requests with the U. S. Department of Transportation, Office of Pipeline Safety.
Prepares state pipeline safety regulations; assures adherence by gas utilities to pipeline safety rules and regulations; evaluates metering problems, system leakage or accounting errors and determines if lost or unaccounted for gas is safety-related; issues citations to utilities for rules violations.
Confers with consumers, utilities, intervenors, staff or others concerning proposed changes in utility organizational policy, regulation of rates, or system design; consults with internal management to determine type, scope and purpose of studies.
Oversees the development and implementation of methods for monitoring utility project expenditures relating to prudence of business activity and engineering options such as capital equipment acquisition, distribution alternatives and cyclical production activity.
Establishes and maintains a liaison between engineering and other PSC units; collaborates with economists, auditors, management personnel to facilitate an understanding of utility technologies.
Observes tests under operational conditions to investigate design proposals for improving equipment performance or other factors.
Prepares and presents exhibits and testimony and responds to cross-examination as an expert witness in courtroom proceedings and PSC hearings on safety issues or rate adjustments; analyzes testimony and exhibits presented by utility company officials or their consultants.
Evaluates utility proposals; organizes and documents findings of studies, and formulates recommendations for implementation of new systems, policies, procedures or organizational changes affecting rates, wages or budget decisions; plans and prepares reports to management defining problems and possible solutions.
Performs other related work as assigned.
Extensive knowledge of engineering methods and procedures.
Extensive knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and database software packages associated with statistical evaluation and engineering.
Extensive knowledge of available sources and types of information and methods of analysis used in regulated utility industries.
Considerable knowledge of the principles and techniques of effective supervision and training.
Ability to consult with and advise others on design and operational features of utility facilities.
Ability to analyze and interpret statistical data such as meaningful associations, estimates or projections, and to present results with clarity and precision to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to testify as an expert witness under cross-examination.
Ability to plan, organize and supervise the work of professional and technical staff.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers and utility representatives.
Ability to travel as necessary to conduct business.