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Senior Wildfire Safety Analyst

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 this classification, please Click here 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 to join its Wildfire Safety team.

The Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst (PURA) will conduct advanced analytical work within the Public Advocates Office. Under the supervision 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 and to 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.
  • 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.
  • Conduct policy research and analysis, through systematic application and interpretation of standard economic, statistical, and financial theories.

Writing and advocacy:

  • Write testimony, comments, reports, and memoranda to be submitted in proceedings at the Commission and the Office of Energy Infrastructure Safety.
  • 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.
  • 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.
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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

Note: This advertisement is listed specifically for the San Francisco location only.

  • Los Angeles location, please apply to JC# 308743
  • Sacramento location, please apply to JC# 308741

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

Positions at the CPUC may be eligible for telework based on the operational needs of the position.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

 Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #: JC-308724

Position #(s): 680-257-4616-400

Working Title: Senior Wildfire Safety Analyst

Classification: PUBLIC UTILITIES REGULATORY ANALYST V

$8,599.00 – $10,762.00

 

# of Positions: 1

Work Location: San Francisco County

Job Type: Permanent, Full Time

 Department Information

Public Advocates Office, Wildfire Safety Section / Safety Branch:

The Public Advocates Office is an independent organization within the CPUC that advocates solely on behalf of utility customers. Our statutory mission is to obtain the lowest possible rate for service consistent with reliable and safe service levels. (See Public Utilities Code Section 309.5.)

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.

Special Requirements

A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) must be submitted with your application. A SOQ is a narrative description of how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. The SOQ must be 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages. Writing that exceeds this page limit will not be scored. 

The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate your qualifications. SOQs will be evaluated based on the content and writing ability, using standardized rating criteria. Competitive applicants will be invited to attend an interview. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ will not be considered. 

All information in the Statement is subject to verification.  

Please write your SOQ to address the following five questions:

  1. Describe your experience with conducting complex policy and economic analysis, identify problems, and recommend effective solutions.
  2. Describe your experience with writing clearly, persuasively, and concisely, including the ability to explain research findings and policy recommendations to lay audiences. 
  3. Describe your experience with analyzing data and risk assessments (including using spreadsheets and other quantitative tools), and develop conclusions supported by the data.
  4. Describe your experience with planning, managing, and executing complex projects independently, with light supervision.
  5. Describe your experience with working as part of a team, consider alternative viewpoints on controversial issues, and build consensus around conclusions.

Resume and SOQ are required, and each SOQ question must be answered specifically and completely. If these instructions are not followed, you will be automatically disqualified and ineligible to be hired for the position.

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.

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: 6/19/2022

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:

  • Expertise in wildfire risk management, expertise in risk modeling techniques, or experience analyzing risk.
  • Expertise in analyzing geospatial data using ArcGIS or similar GIS software.

Benefits

Hiring Unit Contact:

Henry Burton

(415) 696-7311

Henry.Burton@cpuc.ca.gov