Gas Utility Engineer

Gas Utility Engineer

Salary

$105,592.65 - $129,324.10 Annually

Location

Charlottesville, VA

Job Type

Regular Full-Time

Job Number

260700002

Department

Public Utilities

Opening Date

07/21/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

Bargaining Unit

N/A

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Summary

The Charlottesville Gas Utility Engineer performs complex professional and difficult administrative work overseeing the planning and engineering of all gas utility projects; develops, analyzes, and implements strategies and policies for the purchase and sale of natural gas; protects the Citys interest regarding regulatory, supply, and procurement issues; assists in overseeing the administration, maintenance, and operation of the municipal natural gas distribution system. Works with substantial discretion and within broad parameters. Reports to the Director or Deputy Director of Utilities.

The preferred hiring range for this position is $105,592.65 - $129,324.10 annually, with starting pay based on applicable education, experience, and internal equity. This full-time, exempt position offers a comprehensive benefits package, health insurance with employer contribution, employer-paid life insurance, gym membership reimbursement, tuition assistance, and professional development opportunities. This position is also eligible for the following leave and retirement benefits:

• Vacation Leave: 3.09 hours accrued bi-weekly (increases with YOS).

• Sick Leave: 4.62 hours accrued bi-weekly, approx. 120 hours per year with no limit on accumulation.

• 13 Paid Observed City Holidays

• 1 Floating Holiday which must be taken during the fiscal year (July 1 - June 30)

• Choice of retirement plan:

• Defined Benefit Pension Plan: Provides a monthly benefit upon retirement, calculated using a defined formula based on earnings history, years of service, and age. The plan includes a 5-year vesting period and requires an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• Defined Contribution 401a Plan: Employer makes fixed contributions to an individual account, which are invested, and returns are credited to the account. The account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. Vesting occurs at 33% after one year, 67% after two years, and 100% after three years of service. No salary contribution is required.

• Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

• Eligibility to purchase prior service credit under the Defined Benefit Plan

The City of Charlottesville manages its own retirement system and does not participate in VRS; however, a Portability Agreement is available for eligible employees. For additional details, please refer to the "Benefits" tab within this posting or visit the City's Employee Benefits webpage.

Note: This job opportunity is advertised with a closing date of "Continuous." If interested in being considered, an application should be submitted as soon as possible. Applications may no longer be considered once a reasonable number of applications has been received or once a candidate to fill the position is identified. Applications may be evaluated on a continuous basis and interviews may be conducted as soon as possible during the recruitment with candidates who are best qualified. This job announcement may close at any time after 7 calendar days.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be considered to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The essential functions of the job are not limited to those listed in the job description. The City retains the discretion to add to or change the duties of the position at any time.

• Plans, organizes, coordinates, directs, and reviews the design and installation of all gas projects, and the development of material specifications.
• Prepares, reviews, and verifies design requirements and compliance, including with new construction, replacement and/or relocation.
• Supervises, directs, coaches, motivates, and evaluates the performance of assigned staff. Hires and trains staff, coordinates and monitors work activities, and administration of disciplinary action, and in accordance with established personnel policy and procedures.
• Provides technical expertise and assistance with complex problems/situations.
• Prepares specifications and participates in obtaining bids for gas projects and evaluating and selecting of contractors.
• Oversees all regulatory compliance with PHMSA, the State Corporation Commission (SCC), and state and local codes; serves as the subject matter expert and primary point of contact for audits, inspections, and requests for information from PHMSA, SCC, FERC, legal counsel, suppliers, and others as appropriate regarding natural gas issues.
• Oversees the inspection of all gas installations for compliance to Federal, State, and Local standards.
• Oversees standard operating procedures and implementation of O&M standards.
• Oversees the preparation of inventories and maps of the Public Utilities system including GIS and CAD operations.
• Develops and implements system improvement priorities. Conducts ongoing management, evaluation, improvement, and implementation of the Distribution Integrity Management Program.
• Manages the Operator Qualification Program, determining appropriate training content and evaluation criteria for staff.
• Meets with developers, customers and contractors, local and state officials to plan new installations and improvements and provides technical advice.
• Works with various City Departments, developers, other state and local agencies (Virginia Department of Transportation, Albemarle County, etc.) to facilitate the permitting and installation of all natural gas utility projects.
• Performs contract and project management, providing direction to contractors regarding performance and service delivery.
• Performs gas flow analysis through computer modeling.
• Oversees the maintenance and repair of specialized equipment such as telemetering devices and leakage indicators.
• Develops and enforces material, installation, and product standards.
• Develops and implements strategies for the purchase and supply of natural gas.
• Procures third-party gas from brokers and producers at the lowest possible cost to the City.
• Analyzes and makes recommendations relating to both suppliers and the Citys rate structure.
• Coordinates with the Finance Department to produce an annual rate study.
• Monitors gas purchases both from suppliers and by the Citys customers.
• Subject to being called in to work in weather or non-weather emergencies or as needed to provide necessary services to the public. Must have the ability to be contacted and respond based on Departmental guidelines.
• Responsible for appropriate use and maintenance of City equipment, tools and other resources, including work time.
• Regular and reliable attendance.

Other Duties

• Performs additional duties to support operational requirements as apparent or assigned.

Education, Experience and Skills

Education and Experience: Candidates may qualify by demonstrating the required knowledge and skills outlined for the job through experience(s) other than formal education.

• Bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited college with major work in mechanical or natural gas engineering AND at least 1 year of experience in the natural gas or petroleum industry, including thorough knowledge and experience in regulatory and gas supply and procurement issues.

OR

• An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of the specific requirements listed above.

Certifications/Licenses/Other Requirements:

• Within one year of employment, must possess an Engineer in Training (EIT) certification (Professional Engineer's (PE) license preferred).
• Must obtain and maintain a valid Virginia Driver's license and acceptable driving record according to city criteria.
• Must obtain and maintain all certifications required by applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Subject to federal DOT drug and alcohol testing regulations.
• Required to successfully pass a pre-employment background check and pre-employment drug screen.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and Other Characteristics:

Job Knowledge

• Thorough knowledge of Federal, State, and Local laws relating to gas service.
• Thorough knowledge of the theories, principles, and practices of mechanical engineering as applied to gas utility.
• Thorough knowledge of gas supply and procurement principles.
• Thorough knowledge of the materials and equipment utilized in gas service installations.
• Thorough knowledge of statistics and statistical analysis, cost studies and rate design issues.
• General knowledge of the regulatory and supply framework of the natural gas industry.
• General knowledge of procurement, negotiating contracts, and contract management.

Reading

• Advanced: Ability to read, understand, and interpret regulations, laws, complex technical plans and specifications, multi-step instruction manuals, reference materials, and legal documents. Ability to incorporate information into project planning and management.

Writing

• Advanced: Ability to organize and develop clear and concise complex written materials and reports such as plan/design of complex projects and documents including idea/inception, research, specifications, drawings, development, contracts, and monitoring. Ability to tailor writing to specific audiences and explain complex information and ideas.

Math

• Advanced: ability to apply fundamental concepts of theories, work with advanced mathematical operations methods and functions of real and complex variables. Ability to perform difficult engineering computations and to make comprehensive recommendations to engineering problems.

Communication Skills

• Advanced: Establish and maintain effective working relationships with co-workers, subordinates, management, other City Departments, elected officials, state agencies, contractors, vendors, and others. Must communicate complex, technical information to a variety of customers. Recommends policy development and implementation and communicates current and revised policies. May involve support of controversial positions or the negotiation of sensitive issues or important presentations. Evaluates effectiveness, develops cooperative associations, and utilizes resources to continuously improve communications.

Independence and Decision-Making

• Requires Administrative Direction: normally completes work with substantial discretion and within broad parameters defined by general organizational requirements and accepted practices. Overall results determine job performance.

Technical Skills

• Advanced: high level skills and extensive knowledge in approaches and systems, which affect the design and implementation of major programs and/or processes organization wide. Independent judgment and decision-making abilities are necessary to apply technical skills effectively. Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications, AutoCAD, ESRI ArcGIS, and other departmental systems/software.

Fiscal Responsibilities

• Coordinates with Finance Department to produce annual rate study.
• Oversees costly, complex, projects and/or programs. Has responsibility for monitoring, forecasting, and reporting on project budgets, contract expenditures, and preparing cost estimates; approving budgetary items within established guidelines.

Supervisory Responsibilities

• Supervises and monitors performance for a regular group of employees. Responsible for hiring, discipline, work objectives/goals, performance evaluation and work assignments of assigned staff.

Other Characteristics

• Organization and time management skills, sometimes under strict time constraints.
• Frequent change of tasks.
• Performing multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Working closely with others as part of a team.
• Sound independent judgment in fast-paced and potentially stressful situations.
• Tedious or exacting work.
• May require additional hours outside of normal schedule and/or emergency response.
• Demonstrates patience and professionalism when assisting frustrated and/or upset individuals.

Physical Conditions & Additional Information

Physical Demands:

• Light Work: Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects.
• Must be able to move about in an office and at construction sites with potentially uneven terrain.
• Must be able to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
• Ability to observe details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

Machines, Tools, Equipment, Software and Hardware:

• Typically requires use of standard office equipment and telephone, and related software and hardware; and any other equipment as appropriate or as assigned.

Work Environment:

• Most work is conducted in a standard office environment with exposure to computer screen for extended periods of time, monitor glare, and dust. Some inspection and liaison work must be conducted off-site and at sites typically of utilities construction/repair, which may have exposure to inclement weather, uneven terrain, in or around moving mechanical parts, in or around roadways, dust, and fumes. Noise level varies depending on work site.
• The employee is expected to use appropriate protective equipment for the assigned task (hard hat, safety vest, steel-toe shoes, etc.); and any other equipment as apparent or assigned.

The City of Charlottesville is an Equal Opportunity Employer and supports workforce diversity at all levels of the organization. The City prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth and pregnancy-related conditions), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. The City is dedicated to this with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.

Requests for reasonable accommodation by individuals with disabilities may be requested by contacting Human Resources at (434) 970-3490 or hr@charlottesville.gov.

The City of Charlottesville conducts job related background checks, reference checks, and pre-employment drug tests, in accordance with federal, state, and local law, of applicants who reach the final stages of the employment selection process. The City's policy has not changed because of the decriminalization of marijuana in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Marijuana remains an illegal drug under federal law, and it continues to be a violation of the US Department of Transportation regulations and the City's policy prohibiting employees from testing positive for marijuana.

SUMMARY OF EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Updated February 9, 2026

Benefits cited represent those for regular 40-hour employees and may differ for Management Level, Part-Time, and/or Library positions. Long-term temporary employees are eligible for all benefits except retirement. Interns, temporary, seasonal, substitute, and relief employees are not eligible for benefits.

1. LEAVE:

Vacation: Need some time off? Use it, you earned it:

Years Worked

0 - <3

3 - <5

5 - <10

10 - <15

15 - <20

20 - <25

25+

Hours Accrued Biweekly

3.09

3.85

4.62

5.4

6.16

6.93

7.7

Sick: Under the weather? Earn 4.62 hours biweekly, approximately 120 hours a year, with no limit on accumulation to be used to care for yourself and qualifying family members.

Holidays: Enjoy 13 paid holidays per year. Including 1 Floating Holiday, which must be taken during the Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30):

OBSERVED CITY HOLIDAYS

New Years Day

Dr. Martin Luther King Day

Presidents' Day

Liberation & Freedom Day

Memorial Day

Juneteenth Day

Independence Day

Labor Day

Veterans Day

Thanksgiving Day

Friday after Thanksgiving

Christmas Eve

Christmas Day

1 Floating Holiday

Volunteer Leave: Paid leave for participating in an authorized event as a volunteer, subject to Section 9-3, Code of Ethics & Conflicts of Interest. Regular full-time employees receive up to 8 hours and all regular part-time employees are eligible to receive pro-rated leave each available each calendar year.

2. INSURANCE:

Aetna Medical Plans: Coverage is effective on the first of the month following date of hire.

• Choose from two options:

• Select HMO with City-funded HRA ($0 premium for employee-only coverage)

• Choice POS ($13.02 biweekly premium for employee-only coverage)

• Prescription Card: ($10 generic, $30 lower cost name brand,$55 higher cost name brand, 20% up to $150 for specialty drugs)

• Mail Order Maintenance Prescription Drug Program ($20 generic, $60lower cost name brand, $110 higher cost brand) not available for specialty drugs)

Delta Dental Plan:

• Diagnostic and Preventative-100% of allowable charge; Basic Dental Care-80%; Major Dental Care- 50%
• Primary - $50 deductible, 80/20; Prosthetic and Complex Restorative -$50, 50/50
• $1,500 Annual benefit maximum
• $1,000 Orthodontic benefit (children to age 19)

MetLife Vision Plan: (Optional)

• $2.50 premium paid bi-weekly for employee-only coverage. Dependent care coverage also available.
• Eye health exam, dilatation, prescription and refraction of glasses covered after $10 co-pay
• $130 allowance for frames, after co-pay, plus additional discounts where accepted.

Life Insurance: In the event of your death, your beneficiary will receive twice your annual salary. Supplementary policies for you and your dependents are available.

Long-Term Disability: Upon approval for along-term illness or injury, you can receive up to 60% of your earnings after a 90-day wait period.

Voluntary Benefits: Accident, Critical Illness, Hospital Indemnity insurance; Short-Term Disability; Identity Theft Protection

3. RETIREMENT:

Pension:

• Choose from two (2) options:

• A Defined Benefit Pension plan pays a monthly benefit in retirement using a defined formula based on the employee's earnings history, tenure of service, and age. Our plan has a 5-year vesting period and an employee contribution of 5% of salary.

• A Defined Contribution 401a plan in which fixed contributions are paid into an individual's account by the employer, the contributions are invested, returns (positive or negative) are credited to the account, and the account balance is used to provide retirement benefits. The vesting schedule for our 401a plan is 33% after one year of service, 67% after two years of service, and 100% vesting after three years of service. There is no required contribution from salary. (Note: the Defined Contribution retirement plan is the only plan available for Library employees).

Supplement: Deferred Compensation 457 available for you to invest your own money for additional retirement savings.

4. VOLUNTARY:

Wellness:

• Gym Membership Reimbursement Program (up to $34.00 per month)

• Bicycle Commuter Program: Reimbursement up to $20 per month for reasonable bicycle commuting expenses

• Online wellness resources and Lunch-and-Learn Sessions

Employee Assistance Program:

• A variety of confidential, personal professional services for you and your family available 24 hours a day.

Tuition Reimbursement:

• Up to $1,500 for job-related certificates, trade programs, undergraduate coursework or up to $3,000 for graduate level courses per fiscal year for career-related courses.

Flexible Spending Accounts:

• Expense accounts available for healthcare, dependent care and parking/mass transit.

01

Do you have a Bachelors degree from an ABET accredited college with major coursework in either Mechanical, Natural Gas, or Petroleum Engineering? (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Education History section of your online application.)

• Yes, I have a Bachelors degree or higher with major coursework completed in either Mechanical, Natural Gas, and/or Petroleum Engineering,
• No.

02

How many years of professional experience do you have in the natural gas or petroleum industry? (Your response must be verifiable in reference to the Work History section of your online application.)

• No experience.
• Less than one (1) year of experience.
• One (1) to less than three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Three (3) to less than Five (5) years.
• Five (5) years or greater.

03

Which of the following applies to you?

• I hold a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• I hold an Engineer in Training (EIT) certification.
• I do not hold a PE or EIT, but I can obtain an EIT certification within one year of employment.
• None of the above.

04

This position requires driving to perform essential job duties and requires a valid drivers license. The candidate selected for this position must meet the driver eligibility requirements of the City and must provide a certified copy of their DMV driving record. Do you possess a valid drivers license and are you willing to provide a certified copy of your DMV driving record, if selected as a finalist, for the City to confirm your driving eligibility?

• Yes; I possess a valid drivers license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; However, I am willing and able to obtain a valid drivers license and am willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.
• No; I do not have a valid drivers license, nor am I willing or able to obtain one, and/or am not willing to provide a certified copy of my DMV driving record.

05

To be considered, qualifying education and experience, including City of Charlottesville employment, must be clearly documented in the education, work history, and additional information sections of the employment application. Resumes can be attached but should not be used as a substitute for the required information on the application. I understand that an attached resume may not be accepted in place of a completed employment application and that my qualifications should be stated on the employment application itself.

• Yes
• No

06

I certify that the information above is true and correct, and I certify that it can be verified with reference to the information in my basic application. I understand that my application may be rejected if the responses to supplemental questions do not match my basic application.

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Charlottesville

Address P. O. Box 911

605 East Main Street

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902

Phone (434) 970-3490

Website http://www.charlottesville.gov/jobs