The Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission), a leading utility regulatory agency, is looking for a talented Chief of Compliance and Enforcement who can make a professional difference in the Nation’s Capital. As a Compliance and Enforcement supervisor, you will be deployed on a challenging variety of regulatory oversight projects, including ongoing monitoring efforts for multi-billion-dollar long term electric utility infrastructure upgrade projects, electric distribution strategic initiatives, as well as distributed energy resource technologies, including energy storage and microgrids.
In this role, you will have an opportunity to interface with key stakeholders from a variety of federal and state agencies, including the DOE, FERC, as well as DC’s DOEE and DDOT agencies. You will also interface with professionals of Fortune 500 energy companies, energy developers and providers, as well as regulatory professionals from across the Nation. You will gain significant industry exposure and unmatched professional experience as a member of a leading regulatory agency with a proud 100+ year history of regulatory excellence.
The Commission is currently deploying a hybrid telework schedule, which includes three days per week of teleworking, and two days each week in our 13th and G Street offices, given present circumstances. We also offer flex time schedules. The Commission also offers a competitive salary range, a generous travel stipend for public transportation, as well as an attractive benefits package. The Commission's benefits package encompasses a flexible menu of comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance options, as well as a strong set of portable retirement benefits and savings options. The Commission also offers attractive vacation and sick leave time, as well as paid holidays, consistent with District government provisions.
As an organization dedicated to professional development and learning, the Commission encourages staff to participate in regulatory and industry association activities, as well as educational and professional training. Tuition reimbursement may also be available. The Chief of Compliance and Enforcement position is in the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (OTRA) group of the Commission. The Commission oversees regulated utility and competitive companies that provide electricity, natural gas, and telecommunication services to District of Columbia ratepayers.
Duties and Responsibilities
Plans, oversees, and directs the compliance and enforcement mission mission of the Commission.
Ensures that goals and objectives are accomplished in accordance with time limitations, prescribed priorities, and budget expenditures.
Directs the development and deployment of the scope, organization, human and material resources, rules, and standards for the Office of Compliance and Enforcement successful operation under the direction of the Director, OTRA.
Establishes and maintains strategic compliance and enforcement plans, procedures, guidance, and templates. Ensures data and document quality in the Commission's compliance and enforcement database and public transparency website.
Determines compliance and enforcement metrics, trends, and performance; calculates civil penalties and methodologies; reviews enforcement actions; and presents on natural gas, electric, and telecommunications compliance and enforcement programs.
Provides compliance and enforcement and engineering expertise in support of the Commission's regulatory activities relative to gas, electric, and telecommunications services. Ensures compliance by gas pipeline operators with the regulations governing pipeline safety, including District and Federal Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Acts.
Responsible for administering the gas pipeline safety regulations of the Commission which include, by reference, delegated safety responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal One Call Damage Prevention Program. Reviews reports submitted to the Office of Pipeline Safety of the U.S. Department of Transportation by the local gas operators as required by regulations.
Supervises compliance and enforcement officers, gas pipeline safety engineers, a One Call inspector, and support staff who conduct field/facility inspections, incident investigations, enforcement, compliance audits, compliance reporting. Directs field and facility inspections and investigations, enforcing federal and District of Columbia laws, as well as Commission rules on electricity, natural gas, and telecommunications services.
Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes company operations and maintenance plans filed with the Commission pursuant with regulations such as 49 CFR 191-199 (Federal Pipeline Safety Regulations) and other regulations related to electric distribution and telecommunications services.
Oversees investigations of gas pipeline incidents and accidents involving single facilities and third parties unrelated to the gas companies or their contractors. Conducts inspections and investigations of incidents that violate safety regulations, and the Natural Gas Pipeline Safety Act, and works to resolve such violations.
Supervises gas and electric meter referee tests and inspections in response to consumer complaints. Contributes to the Office of Consumer Services in resolving consumer complaints concerning gas and electric meter tests, quality of service, and safety.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications and Education
To be creditable, the incumbent must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level (CS-14) in the normal line of progression, or its non-District equivalent, gained from the public or private sector. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position.
This position requires mastery knowledge of the Commission's rules, practices, and regulations as they relate to the compliance and enforcement and engineering environment of electrical distribution systems, gas pipeline systems, and telecommunications services. Mastery of, and experience in interpreting federal or state utility regulations, policies, and procedures, and applying such to compliance and enforcement and to engineering analysis of a variety of situations. Mastery of engineering practices and principles as evidenced by degrees and work experience. Mastery of engineering practices and methodologies as related directly or indirectly to regulating electric and gas utility companies, telephone utility companies or comparable regulated utility services, which are responsible for reliable, safe, and affordable service. Expert ability to apply such knowledge to compliance and enforcement and to solving theoretical and practical engineering problems with versatility, judgment, and perception. Mastery of, and skill in problem solving, negotiation strategies, and project management. Expert management skill and experience in planning, organizing, and directing; and skill in working collaboratively with economists, accountants, financial analysts, attorneys, and regulators from other agencies. Mastery knowledge of MS Windows-based software, AutoCAD, inspection forms, and other operations and maintenance-related computer programs and their applications to analyze, interpret, and evaluate compliance and enforcement data and engineering problems and predict results.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in engineering is required.
Master’s degree in either engineering or business is highly desirable.
Valid Driver’s License.
Licensures, Certifications and Other Requirements
None.
Working Conditions/Environment
The work is performed primarily in an office setting; however, a modest amount of travel to conferences and meetings both within and outside of the District may be necessary.
Other Significant Facts
Pay Plan, Series, Grade: MS-1801-15.
Tour of Duty: 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday.
Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential.
Duration of Appointment: Management Supervisory Service.
Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.
Residency: If the position you are applying for is in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, you must establish residence in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment
EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation