Utility Specialist 1 (Damage Prevention Specialist)
Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43224
Overview
Service Monitoring & Enforcement Department (SMED) / Facility Operations Field Division (FOFD). FOFD staff regularly inspects utility facilities and reviews plant operating practices to ensure regulated utility service providers deliver safe, reliable and quality service. Field investigators from the division's electric, telephone, water/wastewater and gas pipeline safety sections perform on-site inspections and audit company records to ensure utilities observe regulatory requirements. FOFD staff also participates in rate case proceedings and recommends changes in company policies and practices to improve utility service. FOFD staff also acts as the agency lead for the damage prevention complaint reporting and tracking process; assisting with the maintenance of the damage prevention enforcement database; and answering internal and public inquiries.
What You’ll Do The Damage Prevention Specialist position with the Facilities and Operations Field Division provides key support to the Underground Technical Committee (UTC). The UTC is an appointed body responsible for reviewing and ruling on complaints alleging violations of Ohio\'s damage prevention and excavation safety laws. These matters are addressed during public meetings facilitated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
The UTC\'s authority and the state\'s excavation safety requirements are primarily outlined in the Ohio Revised Code 3781.25 through 3781.38. The PUCO coordinates all UTC activities, supports their meetings, and enforces their decisions, which may include training requirements, performance improvement plans, or monetary penalties. Complaints are submitted through an online form on the PUCO website.
This role, the Damage Prevention Specialist will work alongside another specialist to review incoming complaints, compile care files, support UTC meeting operations, prepare and distribute UTC communications, and assist with the Damage Prevention Registration process.
As a Damage Prevention Specialist in the Facilities and Operations Field Division, your work will include:
Processing and investigating excavation damage related complaints as they are received
Collecting case related information through phone calls and email communication and preparing investigation reports for the UTC
Clearly and promptly conveying UTC decisions and rulings to complainants and respondents
Tracking and monitoring case files to ensure timely and efficient complaint processing
Verifying investigation reports are complete, accurate, and comprehensive before submission
Maintaining case files within the PUCO damage prevention database (currently Salesforce), ensuring data integrity and accessibility
Providing case files to UTC members ahead of scheduled meetings to support informed review and discussion, currently facilitated through the PUCO Community
Assisting the UTC Coordinator with meeting preparation, planning, and documentation, including reviewing agendas, meeting notes, and official meeting minutes
Monitoring damage prevention enforcement registrations and serving as a key resource person and technical advisor on registration requirements
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 undergraduate core program or 2 yrs. exp. in one or more of following academic fields: accounting, utility &/or transportation code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, economics, mathematics or engineering; 2 yrs. 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 &/or investigations of enforcement, scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation or alternative regulation (e.g., 2 yrs. exp. as Water/Wastewater Service Quality Coordinator, 23131, or Telephone Service Quality Coordinator, 23171, or Public Utilities Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator, 23181, or Public Utilities Electric Coordinator, 23191, or Public Utilities Customer Service Investigator, 26251).
Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Job Skills Utilities
Organization Public Utilities Commission
Agency Contact Name and Information HUMAN RESOURCES - ContactJobsHR@puco.ohio.gov.
Unposting Date Feb 12, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Primary Location United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus
Compensation 33.52
Schedule Full-time
Work Hours 8:00-5:00 Flex Available
Classified Indicator Classified
Union OCSEA
Primary Job Skill Utilities
Technical Skills Technical Writing, Investigation, Public Relations, Compliance Enforcement
Professional Skills Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Managing Meetings, Presenting
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 include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. 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.
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What You’ll Do The Damage Prevention Specialist position with the Facilities and Operations Field Division provides key support to the Underground Technical Committee (UTC). The UTC is an appointed body responsible for reviewing and ruling on complaints alleging violations of Ohio\'s damage prevention and excavation safety laws. These matters are addressed during public meetings facilitated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO).
The UTC\'s authority and the state\'s excavation safety requirements are primarily outlined in the Ohio Revised Code 3781.25 through 3781.38. The PUCO coordinates all UTC activities, supports their meetings, and enforces their decisions, which may include training requirements, performance improvement plans, or monetary penalties. Complaints are submitted through an online form on the PUCO website.
This role, the Damage Prevention Specialist will work alongside another specialist to review incoming complaints, compile care files, support UTC meeting operations, prepare and distribute UTC communications, and assist with the Damage Prevention Registration process.
As a Damage Prevention Specialist in the Facilities and Operations Field Division, your work will include:
Processing and investigating excavation damage related complaints as they are received
Collecting case related information through phone calls and email communication and preparing investigation reports for the UTC
Clearly and promptly conveying UTC decisions and rulings to complainants and respondents
Tracking and monitoring case files to ensure timely and efficient complaint processing
Verifying investigation reports are complete, accurate, and comprehensive before submission
Maintaining case files within the PUCO damage prevention database (currently Salesforce), ensuring data integrity and accessibility
Providing case files to UTC members ahead of scheduled meetings to support informed review and discussion, currently facilitated through the PUCO Community
Assisting the UTC Coordinator with meeting preparation, planning, and documentation, including reviewing agendas, meeting notes, and official meeting minutes
Monitoring damage prevention enforcement registrations and serving as a key resource person and technical advisor on registration requirements
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 undergraduate core program or 2 yrs. exp. in one or more of following academic fields: accounting, utility &/or transportation code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, economics, mathematics or engineering; 2 yrs. 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 &/or investigations of enforcement, scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation or alternative regulation (e.g., 2 yrs. exp. as Water/Wastewater Service Quality Coordinator, 23131, or Telephone Service Quality Coordinator, 23171, or Public Utilities Gas Pipeline Safety Compliance Investigator, 23181, or Public Utilities Electric Coordinator, 23191, or Public Utilities Customer Service Investigator, 26251).
Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
Job Skills Utilities
Organization Public Utilities Commission
Agency Contact Name and Information HUMAN RESOURCES - ContactJobsHR@puco.ohio.gov.
Unposting Date Feb 12, 2026, 10:59:00 PM
Primary Location United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus
Compensation 33.52
Schedule Full-time
Work Hours 8:00-5:00 Flex Available
Classified Indicator Classified
Union OCSEA
Primary Job Skill Utilities
Technical Skills Technical Writing, Investigation, Public Relations, Compliance Enforcement
Professional Skills Analyzation, Attention to Detail, Managing Meetings, Presenting
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 include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr