Job Posting: Senior Wildfire Safety Analyst

Public Utilities Commission

JC-425071
-
Senior Wildfire Safety Analyst
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY ANALYST V

$9,078.00 - $11,362.00 per Month

Final Filing Date: 5/5/2024

Job Description and Duties

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility.  If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to these classifications, please click PURA V or PURA IV to open the examination bulletin and follow the instructions on “How to apply”.   

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.  Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.


Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit. 


The Safety Branch within the Public Advocates Office is seeking a Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V or IV to join its Wildfire Safety team.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst (PURA) will conduct advanced analytical work within the Public Advocates Office. Under the general direction of the Program and Project Supervisor in the Wildfire Safety Section of the Safety Branch, the PURA will analyze utility safety issues, with a principal focus on preventing wildfires caused by electric utility equipment. The PURA will advocate for efficient and effective programs to avoid harm to the public and reduce the environmental consequences of wildfires. In addition, the PURA may perform a wide variety of analytical assignments related to the safety of utility infrastructure, the costs of wildfires, and general rate case proceedings. The specific duties of this position are as follows:

Economic and policy analysis of utility safety:
  • Analyze and critique electric utilities’ Wildfire Mitigation Plans and plans to underground electric infrastructure.
  • Examine the effectiveness and costs of utility programs to mitigate risk (including wildfire mitigation programs), and recommend strategies to more efficiently reduce risk.
  • Examine utilities' safety inspection records, spending records, and audit reports to ensure effective implementation of wildfire safety programs.
  • Analyze utilities' proposals to increase rates to recover wildfire costs.
  • Conduct policy research and analysis, through systematic application and interpretation of standard economic, statistical, and financial theories.

Writing and advocacy:
  • Write comments, testimony, reports, and memoranda to be submitted in proceedings at the Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
  • Confer with other public-interest advocates and state agency staff to build coalitions and develop policy consensus.
  • Advocate for strong enforcement of safety standards and investigate utility safety failures, in proceedings where the Commission considers penalties.

Project management:
  • Plan and execute complex projects to ensure timely completion. Occasionally lead small teams of analysts and engineers, coordinating the work of several engineers, policy analysts, and attorneys.
  • Take initiative and independently carry out assignments, while providing accurate status reports to management and meeting deadlines.

Other duties:
  • Represent the Public Advocates Office in conferences, workshops, and other public forums.
  • Perform other job-related duties and assignments as required to support the efforts of Public Advocates Office.

CLICK HERE to share with the California Public Utilities Commission how you first learned about this position, this will assist us in our recruitment efforts.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This advertisement is listed specifically for Sacramento (LA, SF, SAC) location.  All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

  • Los Angeles location, please apply to JC# 425076 
  • San Francisco location, please apply to JC# 425047 

Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This position requires travel.

Positions at the CPUC may be eligible for telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, and subject to meeting the telework eligibility criteria. Telework Policy CalHR

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-425071
Position #(s):
680-257-4616-400
Working Title:
Senior Wildfire Safety Analyst
Classification:
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY ANALYST V
$9,078.00 - $11,362.00
PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY ANALYST IV
$8,263.00 - $10,343.00
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
Telework
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Public Advocates Office/ Safety Branch/ Wildfire Safety Section:

The Public Advocates Office is an independent organization within the CPUC that advocates solely on behalf of utility customers. Our mission is to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. The Public Advocates Office’s Safety Branch is responsible for representing ratepayer interests on safety-related issues across all industries, including general rate cases (risk assessment mitigation phase), wildfires, emergency response protocols, physical and cyber security, service restoration, and emergency preparedness and response. The Safety Branch is organized into four sections: Policy, Analysis, Wildfire Safety, and Financial Impacts.

Please visit www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov for more information on the Public Advocates Office.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Prepare and submit a response for each question below. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored. All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. The SOQ must be no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages.

Please write your SOQ to address the following three questions:

  1. Describe your experience conducting complex policy and economic analysis, identifying problems, and recommending effective solutions.
  2. Describe your experience writing clearly, persuasively, and concisely, including explaining research findings and policy recommendations to lay audiences. 
  3. Describe your experience analyzing data and risk assessments (including using spreadsheets and other quantitative tools), and developing conclusions supported by the data.
For assistance in completing the SOQ, you may want to consider watching the following video: Basics of Writing a Strong Statement of Qualifications. 



It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.jobs.ca.gov

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  An official transcript will be required prior to appointment. 

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency by the application deadline.
Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Employment information on the STD 678 state application MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors.  Resumes, or referring to resumes, will not be accepted in place of the completed STD 678.  Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 will not be considered. 

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 5/5/2024

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Public Utilities Commission
Attn: Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Public Utilities Commission
Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102
Monday to Friday Except Holidays
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see “Special Requirements” for instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  • Experience planning, managing, and executing complex projects independently.
  • Expertise in utility safety, expertise in risk modeling techniques, or experience analyzing wildfire risk.
  • Expertise in analyzing geospatial data using ArcGIS or similar GIS software.
  • Experience working as part of a team, considering alternative viewpoints on controversial issues, and building consensus around conclusions.

Benefits

Benefits Summary

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Henry Burton
(415) 696-7311
henry.burton@cpuc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
EEO Main Line
(415) 703-5331
EEOConcerns@cpuc.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Additional Application Information

Please indicate “Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V” or “Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV” in the Examination/Job Title section on the CA State Application (std 678).

This position may be filled at either the Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V or IV level for recruitment purposes.  Duties will be adjusted commensurate with the level at which the position is filled.


Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job