Engineering Specialist I
Florida Public Service Commission
Division of Engineering
Career Service - Open Competitive
Tallahassee, FL
Application Deadline: April 25, 2024
$40,351

Our Mission: 
The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services — electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater — in a safe, reasonable, and reliable manner. In doing so, the FPSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in one or more of three key areas: rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service.
 
The Benefits of Working for the State of Florida:
Working for the State of Florida is more than a paycheck. The State’s total compensation package for employees features a highly competitive set of employee benefits including:

• State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options (For more information, please click https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/health)
• Retirement plan options, including employer contributions (For more information, please click https://myfrs.com)
• Paid Leave of Absence benefits, including Personal and Sick Leave;
• Nine paid holidays and one paid Personal Holiday each year;
• State Employee Tuition Waiver Program – Six credit hours per semester with the state college/university system;
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP);
• Deferred Compensation Plan;
• Tax Beneficial Flexible Spending Accounts;
• Flexible Work Schedules;
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Student loans can be forgiven after 10 years of qualified public service, certain eligibility requirements must be met. (For more information, please click http://studentaid.gov/publicservice)
• And more!

Division of Engineering:
The Division of Engineering is responsible for providing recommendations pertaining to technical issues coming before the Commission. Issues may include evaluation of engineering capital cost estimates and actual utility plant expenditures, establishment of adequate margins of reserve, and analysis of operating and maintenance costs. Additionally, the Division is responsible for cost-effectiveness determinations, taking into consideration the impacts on Florida’s consumers, regulated industries, and the regulatory environment.
 
Description of Job Duties:
Assists with the analysis and evaluation of utilities’ gas distribution systems to ensure that adequate safety measures are taken to protect the public from hazards.

Assists with the evaluation of gas distribution equipment and apparatus to ensure appropriate design, materials and application.
 
Determines if installations comply with state and federal rules.
 
Must have the ability to complete Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) Natural Gas Training course within three years.
 
Extended travel (up to a week per course) to Oklahoma is required for this training.
 
Extensive vehicle travel is required, at times overnight, to conduct gas safety field inspections. A state-owned vehicle will be provided for these inspections.
 
This position required the incumbent to be subject to irregular work hours and call-outs for emergencies.
 
Minimum Qualifications: 
Must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in an area of engineering.
 
Special consideration will be given to applicants who have knowledge in the gas safety industry or have completed PHMSA TQ Training.
 
Telework for this position is available with preference given to applicants located in Leon, Bay, Okaloosa, Walton, Escambia, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Calhoun, Gulf or Santa Rosa counties.

Information verifying answers to the Qualifying Questions must be found on the Employment Application.
 
Background investigations, including criminal history record checks and education verification's, will be conducted on all applicants recommended for hiring. You may be required to provide your Social Security Number in order to conduct this background check.
 
Employment Eligibility:
Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States. The Florida Public Service Commission participates in the Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify) to assist in this required verification process.
 
Civil Service Law requires all males born after December 31, 1959, to register with the Selective Service System unless they meet certain exemptions under the law. Failing to register when required makes one ineligible for appointment.
 
Preference in appointment and employment shall be given to veterans and other persons as required by Chapter 295, Florida Statutes, Veterans’ Law. Applicant must provide the required proof of preference at the time of submitting an application.

We hire only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized alien workers.
 
EEO/AA and Accommodation:
The state of Florida is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and does not tolerate discrimination or violence in the workplace.
 
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or the People First Center (1-877-562-7287). Notification to the Commission’s Human Resources Section must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
 
Post-Employment Restrictions:
Pursuant to Section 350.0605(2), F.S., former Commission employees are prohibited from appearing before the Commission to represent any client regulated by the Commission on any matter in which he/she had participated and which was pending at the time of his/her termination.
 
Pursuant to Section 112.313, F.S., FPSC Senior Management Service or Selected Exempt Service employees shall not personally represent another person or entity for compensation before the Commission, for a period of two years following vacation of his/her position. Exceptions to this law are provided for former Commission employees who are employed by another agency of State government and those employed by the Commission prior to January 1, 1995.