Engineer I

About the role

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians. The Department connects businesses with the site locations, workforce and infrastructure they need to succeed in one of the nation's top states for business. We also connect local communities with the grants and funding they need to attract new business and ensure future prosperity. Description of Work Are you looking to find meaningful public service work that will positively impact the residents of North Carolina? If your answer is yes, we want you to join our team at the Utilities Commission. The North Carolina Utilities Commission is looking for Engineer I. This position is assigned to the Gas Pipeline Section of the Operations Division of the Utilities Commission. The primary purpose of this Engineer I position is to demonstrate a high degree of organization, accountability for process and workflow management, and independent judgement. The Engineer I position requires analytical skills and a demonstrated passion for working with data to make conclusions and assemble related policy recommendations. We are seeking a proactive professional to pursue knowledge and acquire expertise in a variety of disciplines. Division responsibilities include but are not limited to: - Conducting field inspections throughout the State of North Carolina to evaluate compliance with state and federal natural gas pipeline safety regulations. - Reviewing operator records, procedures, and documentation related to pipeline operations, maintenance, construction, and integrity management. - Observing field activities and construction sites to assess safety practices and regulatory compliance. - Documenting inspection findings and preparing written inspection reports and related compliance documentation. - Assisting with enforcement actions, including follow-up on identified deficiencies and corrective actions. - Performing analysis of program, industry, and utility trends; developing and tracking performance metrics; and reviewing state and federal legislation, rulemakings, and industry standards to support policy development and enforcement strategies. - Researching and staying informed on local and national regulatory developments, rulemakings, and stakeholder concerns, and applying this knowledge to promote best practices and regulatory consistency. - Providing technical guidance and participating in outreach efforts with regulated operators and other stakeholders. The Pipeline Safety Section of the Operations Division of the North Carolina Utilities Commission enforces natural gas pipeline safety regulations, inspecting all intrastate natural gas system operators and investigating incidents. Pursuant to North Carolina General Statute 62-50, the Commission is responsible for promulgating and enforcing safety standards for the operation of natural gas pipelines in North Carolina. That statute extends Commission regulatory authority with regard to pipeline safety to entities that are not investor-owned utilities subject to the Commission's jurisdiction for setting rates and ensuring service quality. Such entities include municipal natural gas systems, housing authorities that have installed natural gas systems, and certain landfill gas operators. G.S. 62-50 also authorizes the Commission to enter into agreements with other governmental entities including the United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) to enforce safety regulations and to participate in grant programs. Pursuant to G.S. 62-50, the Commission has adopted the federal pipeline safety regulations including Chapter 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 191, 192, 193, 198 & 199, which are administered by the Department of Transportation's Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The applicant selected will be required to successfully complete a minimum of seven courses at the federal Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA's) Training and Qualification (T&Q) Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and other formal training as needed. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement. Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include: - 12 Annual Paid Holidays and monthly accrual of vacation and sick leave. - North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna. - Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental, a