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

In this position as

Utility Specialist 2

, your duties will consist of but not limited to the following:

- 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.

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

Agency Contact Name and Information

HUMAN RESOURCES - ContactJobsHR@puco.ohio.gov.

Unposting Date

May 6, 2026, 11:59:00 PM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours 8:00-5:00 Flex Available

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

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.