PRINCIPAL ENGINEER UTILITIES (R24)
Principal Engineer Utilities is a state title in New Jersey's competitive civil service, which means the way in is an open exam rather than a direct appointment.
Candidates need a bachelor's degree and 3 years of relevant experience. Pay on the FY 2027 schedule runs $76,287 to $111,856.
How to apply
This title is filled by competitive examination.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the direction of a Supervising Engineer, Utilities, Chief or higher level supervisor in the Board of Public Utilities, performs the more complicated technical and engineering work to analyze the cost of supplying utility and transportation services, evaluate public utility properties, study the effects of public utility rate schedules; and investigate the adequacy and safety of utility plants: does other related duties.
Examples of work
- Provides assignments and instructions to engineers and supervises their work performance.
- Provides assignments to engineers conducting studies of utility plant construction and overhead costs; determining suitability of property units; studying performance of mechanical and electrical equipment; evaluating consumer charges for the supply of utility services; and the features of inter-company power interchange contracts.
- Supervises the work operations and/or functional programs and has responsibility for employee evaluations and for effectively recommending the hiring, firing, promoting, demoting and/or disciplining of employees.
- Reviews public utility tariffs submitted by utilities.
- Plans and conducts studies to determine the propriety of terms and conditions relating to the supply of utility service.
- Prepares and submits formal reports on tariff and engineering matters.
- Provides technical assistance to the Board's legal counsel.
- Prepares exhibits.
- Prepares letters in response to complaints.
- Provides testimony and acts as a witness in formal proceedings before the Office of Administrative Law.
- Prepares engineering reports containing findings, conclusions and recommendations.
- Will be required to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
Education
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor's degree in engineering.
Experience
Three (3) years of experience in the field of public utility operations or regulations including the conduct of engineering studies relating to utility valuation, rate or service determination.
License
Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Knowledge of the techniques used to conduct evaluations of utility property. Knowledge of the design, construction and operation of the facilities of several types of public utility enterprises. Knowledge of the techniques of public utility valuation and rate making. Knowledge of the engineering procedures and techniques employed in utility regulatory work. Ability to provide assignments and instructions to staff and supervise their work performance. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with those interested or involved in the work of public utilities. Ability to prepare reports and correspondence. Ability to provide technical assistance on public utility matters. Ability to act as an expert witness and to testify effectively on public utility valuation, rate and service matters. Ability to plan and conduct studies. Ability to read, interpret and apply laws, rules and regulations. Ability to prepare clear, sound, accurate and informative reports on routine and special matters containing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or Braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of communication. Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible. This job specification is applicable to the following title code(s) which are different work week or work month of the job class title: Job Spec Code State, Local or Common Class of Service Work Week State Class Code Local Class Code Salary Range
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. Possession of a valid Professional Engineer's license issued by the New Jersey Board of Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors may be substituted for the Bachelor's degree in engineering. SC4E25N/AR26-SC3E25N/AR24- This job specification is for government use only. Salary range is only applicable to state government. Local salaries are established by individual local jurisdictions. MCK 11/26/2005