Occ. Code 4523110

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 1 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY), GRADE 18	4523110
UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 2 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY), GRADE 23	4523210
UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 3 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY), GRADE 27	4523310

New York State Department of Civil Service

Classification Standard

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS SERIES

Positions in this series perform technical analysis and services related to the regulation of natural gas, hazardous liquid, liquefied natural gas, liquefied petroleum gas, and steam pipeline systems. 

These positions are classified only in the Pipeline Safety Section of the Office of Electric, Gas and Water at the Department of Public Service.

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 1 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY): performance level; under the direction of a higher-level Utility Engineering Specialist (Gas Pipeline Safety), conducts reliability and safety standards compliance and monitoring, facility and construction inspections, emergency response and damage prevention, and incident and complaint investigations.

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 2 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY): first supervisory level; supervises two or more Utility Engineering Specialists 1 (Gas Pipeline Safety).  Incumbents testify as part of administrative proceedings on behalf of the Department of Public Service, oversee work conducted by subordinate staff, and may perform all of the duties and responsibilities of Utility Engineering Specialist 1 (Gas Pipeline Safety).

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 3 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY): second supervisory level; administratively supervises two or more Utility Engineering Specialists 2 (Gas Pipeline Safety) and lower-level staff.  Incumbents testify on the most difficult issues in major utility rate cases, siting cases or other administrative proceedings on behalf of the Department of Public Service, participate in policy development related to utility rates, reliability and safety issues, and may perform all of the duties and responsibilities of lower-level Utility Engineering Specialists (Gas Pipeline Safety).  

RELATED CLASSES

Utility Engineering Specialists analyze and process rate proposals and utility rate structures of public utilities and evaluate the impact that proposed changes in rates, charges, rules and regulations will have on the utilities and consumers in New York State.  In addition, they review utility emergency preparedness and reporting; evaluate reliability of the electric, natural gas, steam and water systems; monitor capital projects and operations and maintenance; audit operations for safety and compliance with regulations; monitor implementations of audit recommendations; enforce the States underground facilities damage prevention program; investigate incidents of non-compliance and consumer complaints; assist other State agencies with energy-related policy and initiatives; and work with federal government agencies. 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

• Perform safety compliance audits and inspections and evaluate pipeline operators for compliance with State and Federal regulations.

• Inspection of utility and contractor work sites involving construction, operations and maintenance activities on pipelines; enforcement against violators of the States Protection of Underground Facilities rules detailed in 16NYCRR Part 753; and prepare session items and notices of probable violations related to these activities.

• Perform facility design review and construction inspections, and document field activities and prepare inspection reports.

• Audit and inspect leak management, emergency response, and damage prevention performance, prepare reports and report to Public Service Commission (PSC).

• Perform investigations of incidents involving natural gas and hazardous liquids pipelines, especially those that involve injury to people or significant property damage and where utility facilities caused or contributed to such, and report as necessary to senior management and prepare reports and memoranda to PSC.

• Perform safety complaint investigations, including site visits and interviews of affected utility customers and nearby residents, ensure timely actions are taken by the pipeline operator to resolve the complaint and report as appropriate to senior management and the Office of Consumer Services of the Department of Public Service.

• Review utility filings related to rate proceedings and incentive plans, especially those sections that deal with capital budget projects and operations and maintenance expenditures, prepare testimony, develop rate case position and participate as part of staff team.

• Review State regulations for compliance with federal regulations and for any modifications that may be necessary due to lessons learned from incident investigations and other recent events, recommend needed revisions and prepare necessary documents.

• Review and analyze waiver petitions filed by pipeline operators and advise of their merits.

• Review and analyze applications received under the Public Service Laws Article VII dealing with siting of major natural gas transmission facilities for compliance with the gas safety regulations dealing with construction, operations and maintenance of such facilities.

• Participate in development of annual plan to accomplish inspections, consult with United States Department of Transportation personnel, and complete associated reporting.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 1 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY)

Open Competitive: Bachelors degree or higher in an accredited engineering curriculum.

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 2 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY)

Promotion: one year of permanent competitive service as a Utility Engineering Specialist 1 (Gas Pipeline Safety).

UTILITY ENGINEERING SPECIALIST 3 (GAS PIPELINE SAFETY)

Promotion:  one year of permanent competitive service as a Utility Engineering Specialist 2 (Gas Pipeline Safety).

Date:  11/17

NOTE:  Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.