Utility Specialist 2 (siting Engineer Specialist)

Utility Specialist 2 (Siting Engineer Specialist)

Organization: Public Utilities Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information: HUMAN RESOURCES - ContactJobsHR@puco.ohio.gov.

Unposting Date: Mar 29, 2026, 3:59:00 AM

Primary Location: United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation: $36.90

Schedule: Full-time

Work Hours: 8:00-5:00 Flex Available

Classified Indicator: Classified

Union: OCSEA

Primary Job Skill: Utilities

Technical Skills: Operations, Planning and Development, Board and Commission Compliance, Civil Engineering

Professional Skills: Creativity, Results Oriented, Strategic Thinking, Verbal Communication

Agency Overview: The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affect nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which includes electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers.

To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans.

Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.

Job Description

Utility Specialist 2 (Siting Engineer Specialist)

Power Siting Department

Hourly Rate: $36.90

About Power Siting Department:

The Power Siting Department reviews applications before the Ohio Power Siting Board. Staff investigate the application on various criteria outlined in Ohio Revised Code and file a report of investigation that serves as a recommendation to the Board. The department also houses the PUCO's geographic information system (GIS) team.

What You Will Do:

• Serves as a specialist with comprehensive knowledge in engineering technology related to the design, construction and operation of major utility facilities
• Provides technical engineering evaluations and delivers expert guidance on power siting matters as well as on the design, construction and operation of major utility facilities
• Offers technical support to Ohio's public and private sectors, including the Ohio Power Siting Board, Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Ohio Department of Development, Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, Ohio Department of Agriculture, Ohio Department of Health, and regulated electric and gas utilities
• Plans and coordinates engineering technology investigations and evaluation activities
• Develops recommendations on applications for construction, operation, and maintenance of new major utility facilities, including generation and cogeneration facilities and electric and gas transmission lines
• Implements Ohio Power Siting Board policies and directives under the guidance of an administrative supervisor
• Monitors emerging issues and communicates relevant information and developments to Ohio Power Siting Board and other state agencies
• Creates hand-drawn and computer-generated charts and graphs to support technical analyses
• Prepares and delivers written or oral expert testimony during hearings of the Ohio Power Siting Board on engineering technology matters related to the design, construction and operation of major utility facilities
• Oversees construction activities of major utility facilities to ensure compliance with Certificates issued by Ohio Power Siting Board

Report in location: 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215, Franklin County.

PUCO core hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across PUCO departments. Most positions perform work on-site at the PUCO Central Office. The PUCO offers flextime work schedules that allow an employee to start the day as early as 6:00am or as late as 10:30am. Flex-time schedules are based on operational need and require supervisor approval.

Salary Information: Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary is set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases, successful employees will increase a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year. In addition, the State of Ohio offers cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of public service, and wellness incentives.

Why Work for the State of Ohio: At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website!

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

Qualifications

Completion of graduate core program or 3 yrs. exp. in one or more of following academic fields; accounting, code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, utility &/or transportation code of enforcement, geology, management, law, economics, mathematics or engineering; 3 yrs. exp. in utility or transportation regulatory experience involving combination of following: PUCO operations, programs & policies affecting regulation of utility or transportation companies, state & federal laws, regulations & procedures governing utility or transportation company operations, competitive programs & alternative regulations, rate &/or tariff structure, financing & securities or economics applied to utility or transportation companies, utility or transportation regulatory processing & case hearing proceedings, cost recovery & cost adjustment methods & procedures, enforcement of customer service standards, statistical, mathematical or analytical methods used in formulating & solving problems or in decision making, developing & conducting research studies, customer preference surveys &/or investigations of enforcement, scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation regulation or alternative regulation or competitive markets. -Or 24 mos. exp. as Utility Specialist 1, 66951. -Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above. Job Skills: Utilities

Applications must clearly indicate how the applicant meets the minimum qualifications for the position. All answers to the supplemental questions must be supported by information provided in the work experience and/or education sections on your civil service application. If you don't demonstrate how you meet minimum qualifications in the supplemental questions, your application may be disqualified from consideration. Please do not use "see resume or other documents" as assumptions will not be made.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.