Job Posting: Senior Inspector/Investigator

Public Utilities Commission

JC-495431
-
Senior Inspector/Investigator
RAIL SAFETY INSPECTOR, SENIOR

$7,827.00 - $9,794.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/27/2025

Job Description and Duties

Note:The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is in the process of developing and administering the Rail Safety Inspector, Senior (RSI-SR) classification examination. The CPUC encourages you to apply for this position through a Temporary Authorization Utilization (TAU) appointment. A TAU is a non-testing appointment is limited to a maximum of nine (9) months. To be appointed as a TAU appointment, you must meet the minimum qualifications for the classification. Once in the TAU appointment and to remain in the position for longer than nine (9) months, you must gain eligibility obtained through the examination process (i.e., take the RSI - SR) exam, pass the exam and be in a reachable rank).

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.    

Under general direction of the Rail Safety Inspector - Supervisor, the Senior Rail Safety Inspector acts as a lead in the Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB) inspection unit for the area inspection group (NorCal or SoCal). The individual will work closely with the Rail Safety Inspector Supervisor and the individual RTSB inspectors in the 4 discipline areas (track, signals and train control, operations, and equipment (vehicles). The Senior Inspector reviews submitted inspection reports and works with inspectors to refine and finalize the inspection reports for issuing to rail transit agencies, and works with the individual inspectors to track inspection reports through the process to completion of any corrective actions for any identified findings.

The Senior Inspector leads the more complex or comprehensive inspections and investigations of accidents and other safety events, passenger and patron complaints received through a variety of channels, employee and union complaints, and various rail transit system anomalies and failures effecting operations or safety. Coordinates the receipt, storage, review and tracking of inspection, maintenance, and operational data submitted to CPUC under the Risk-based Inspection (RBI) Program. Coordinates with the Engineers of the Branch to lead the inspectors in the group to participate in meetings, field reviews, testing and other safety oversight activities with rail transit agency personnel as part of overseeing the safety of and implementation of transit capital projects such as new transit systems, new line extensions, added stations or other facilities, new train control systems, etc.

Works closely with the Rail Safety Inspector Supervisor to assist in the administration and operation of the Rail Transit Operations Safety Section implementing the CPUC's rail transit inspection program.

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

Working Conditions

This position requires travel.

This advertisement is listed specifically for Sacramento location. All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

San Francisco location, please apply to JC# 495432
Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This is an in-office position that has been identified as field-based. Field-based workers spend 50% or more time in the field, requiring onsite attendance to perform their duties. Their assigned headquarter office will be based on the selected candidate's primary residence location. 

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-495431
Position #(s):
680-141-3921-955
Working Title:
Senior Inspector/Investigator
Classification:
RAIL SAFETY INSPECTOR, SENIOR
$7,827.00 - $9,794.00

Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit CalHR’s Personnel Leave Program (PLP) page.
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
1
Work Location:
Sacramento County
Telework:
In Office
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Rail Safety Division/Rail Transit Safety Branch /Rail Transit Operations Safety Section

The mission of the Rail Safety Division (RSD) is to diligently strive to inspire safe and reliable rail transportation in California by promoting and enforcing railroad, rail crossing and rail transit safety; and by improving or establishing a positive rail safety culture therein, through our inspection and enforcement efforts and our resolve to look beyond the regulations. RSD strives to enforce state and federal laws, regulations, orders, and directives relating proactively and effectively to transportation of persons or commodities by rail. RSD is comprised of the Railroad Operations Safety Branch (ROSB), Rail Crossings and Engineering Branch (RCEB), and Rail Transit Safety Branch (RTSB).
Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/

Special Requirements

Driver's License is required.

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: 10/27/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP 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. Temporary Appointments may be considered if conditions warrant. Temporary Appointments may be made to anyone regardless of eligibility. Temporary Appointments may not exceed 9 months and will require eligibility to be obtained through an examination process in order to transition to a permanent appointment.

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
N/A
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
N/A
Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102
Monday - 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.
  • Other - Narrative is required: Prepare and submit a narrative description of how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. 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.  
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 with a regulatory agency or rail transit agency enforcing or implementing applicable rail transit regulatory requirements.
  • Experience investigating accidents and other system failures on rail and other fixed guideway systems.
  • Experience training, mentoring, and evaluating employees skills, development needs, and performance.
  • Experience showing good organizational and writing skills, effective grammar and logic to clearly outline inspection findings and recommendations on issued inspection reports, and the ability to maintain good record keeping.
  • Comprehensive understanding of the various rail transit inspection disciplines, and the applicable rail safety requirements for our jurisdictional rail transit agencies and the various transit modes found in California, including CPUC, FTA, and FRA regulations; APTA, AREMA, NFPA and other applicable industry technical standards.
  • Experience in working on rail transit Capital Projects.

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:
Salvador Herrera
(916) 292-2485
salvador.herrera@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:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 894-5799
ReasonableAccommodation@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.

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