Utility Engineering Specialist , Grade 18; Gas Pipeline Safety, NY HELPS

Duties Description

In the Pipeline Safety Section of the Office of Energy System Planning and Performance (ESPP), the Utility Engineering Specialists ensure the safety and integrity of the State’s intrastate and interstate natural gas, hazardous liquid, and steam pipelines through regular evaluations of pipeline operators for compliance with integrity management and other industry standards, as well as pipeline safety regulations. Additionally, the Pipeline Safety Section administers the State’s “call before you dig” law through education and enforcement.

Utility Engineering Specialists perform engineering duties that include, but are not limited to:

• Providing guidance on safety compliance audits and inspections and determining the necessary corrective actions for operators that are not in compliance with State and Federal regulations pertaining to pipelines.
• Performing facility design review, including review of design plans of construction projects, performing construction inspections, and documenting field activities and preparing inspection reports.
• Performing investigations of incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines, especially those that involve injury to people or significant property damage and preparing reports and memoranda to the Public Service Commission.
• Performing design review of the facilities involved in an incident, designing any necessary testing, and performing failure analysis to determine the cause of the incident.
• Reviewing and analyzing any waiver petitions filed by pipeline operators related to federal and State pipeline safety regulations.
• Reviewing and analyzing applications received under the Public Service Law’s Article VII dealing with siting of major natural gas transmission facilities for compliance with the gas safety regulations dealing with construction, operations, and maintenance of such facilities.
• Providing engineering analysis for rate proceedings and preparing expert testimony to support staff's findings and positions for public hearings before the Public Service Commission.
• Additional relevant duties may be required, as directed.

This position will require at least 10% travel which may require possession of a valid driver’s license.

The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS or Department) works to: ensure safe, affordable, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, water, and telecommunications services at just and reasonable rates for New York State customers, protect the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions via transmission and siting of renewable energy resources, and augment the resiliency of utility infrastructure. Learn more about DPS and how you can make a difference by checking out our video and more at: (Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)..

General Public

Non-Competitive (NY HELPS)*:
Applicants must have a bachelor's degree or higher in an accredited engineering curriculum.

55‑b/c:
Candidates who are currently eligible, who meet the qualifications listed in the “Non-Competitive (NY HELPS)” section above are encouraged to apply. If interested in this position and applying using your 55‑b/c status, please provide a copy of your current 55‑b/c eligibility letter.

Engineering Lists:
Individuals meeting the above minimum qualifications who are currently on any Engineering Examination List are encouraged to apply to this posting as the list(s) will not be canvassed at this time.

Transfer:
Current New York State employee with one year or more of permanent, competitive, or 55‑b/c service as a Utility Engineering Specialist 1 (Gas Pipeline Safety), Grade 18.

Salary:
This salary range reflects the Geographic Pay Differential of $10,000.

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). For the duration of the NY HELPS Program, this title may be filled via a non‑competitive appointment, which means no examination is required but all candidates must meet the minimum qualifications of the title for which they apply. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), it is expected under NY HELPS will have their…