In this post we”ll talk in detail about jobs available in public utilities.
What Are Public Utility Jobs?
In the realm of public utilities, a plethora of indispensable services are extended to the populace by the government. Such services, including but not limited to the provisions of water, electricity, gas, and sewage, play an instrumental role in our day-to-day existence, ensuring the smooth functioning of society at large.
Indeed, public utilities hold a paramount significance, as they cater to our basic needs and enable us to lead the contemporary lifestyle we cherish. Deprived of these essential services, our present way of life would be gravely compromised, leaving us bereft of vital resources.
It is crucial to comprehend that public utilities are meticulously designed to furnish goods and services deemed crucial for the well-being of society. They encompass an array of offerings, such as water, gas, electricity, telephone, and diverse communication systems, which collectively constitute a substantial portion of the public utility market.
The transport infrastructure for electricity, as well as the intricate network of natural gas pipelines, exhibits inherent characteristics of a natural monopoly. In instances where such infrastructure has already been established within a specific area, engaging in competitive practices yields minimal benefits, as the existing framework reigns supreme.
In simpler terms, these industries exemplify economies of scale in production, where the magnitude of output drives efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
What Do Capital Goods Jobs Pay
Key Players in the Public Utility Sector Include:
Generators play a pivotal role in either generating or procuring specific commodities, such as electricity or water, which are subsequently made available to customers.
The intricate network of operators, including grid operators, regional network operators, and distribution network operators, facilitates the provision of network access to retail service providers. These providers then act as intermediaries, ensuring the seamless delivery of the product to the end user.
Traders and marketers, on the other hand, engage in the buying and selling of the actual product, employing their expertise to craft intricate structured products, combined services, and derivatives. The nature of these products varies, with some companies offering utilities and businesses a steadfast supply of commodities like electricity, characterized by stability and predictability in pricing, while others provide shorter-term supplies at more fluctuating price points.
Service providers and retailers represent the final links in this extensive supply chain, directly catering to the ultimate consumer. In select markets, end consumers are granted the autonomy to choose their preferred retail service provider, thereby exerting control over their consumption preferences.
Jobs Available in Public Utilities
There are plenty of different types of jobs you can find in public utilities. You’ll come across customer service jobs, administrative jobs, engineering jobs, and more. Public utility companies are always on the lookout for qualified individuals to fill these positions.
Customer service representatives play a big role in public utilities. They’re the ones who interact with customers directly. Their job involves answering customer questions, solving complaints, and providing information about the utility services.
When it comes to administrative positions, you can find jobs like customer service managers, office managers, and accounting clerks. These roles require good organizational and communication skills.
If you’re interested in engineering, public utilities have jobs for civil engineers, electrical engineers, and mechanical engineers. To get these positions, you usually need a four-year engineering degree from a recognized university.
But it’s not just limited to those roles. Public utilities also have job openings in human resources, marketing, and sales. If you want to know more about available jobs in public utilities, you can get in touch with your local utility company.
List of Jobs Available in the Public Utility Sectors
Natural Gas Utilities Sector Jobs
Natural gas serves as a valuable resource for generating power and producing thermal energy. In the United States, approximately 38% of all natural gas is used for electricity generation.
The heat derived from natural gas has various applications, including home heating, water heating, and industrial purposes. The industrial sector stands out as a major consumer of natural gas in the United States.
According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, as of October 2020, the industrial sector accounted for 33% of all natural gas consumption in the country.
A survey published in late April 2022 revealed that ExxonMobil and Chevron are the leading oil and gas producers in the United States. Despite an overall decrease in production, these two companies still maintain a significant market share. Together, ExxonMobil and Chevron contribute to over 33% of the nation’s total oil and natural gas production.
According to PwC, the industry provides employment for 9.8 million people, which accounts for 5.6% of the total U.S. workforce. In 2012, the unconventional oil and natural gas value chain, along with energy-related chemicals, supported over 2.1 million jobs, a number projected to reach 3.9 million by 2025, as reported by IHS.
The development of America’s vast shale natural gas reserves could add more than 1 million U.S. manufacturing jobs by 2025, according to PwC.
Energy pipeline investment alone could support up to 830,769 jobs on an average annual basis over the 2014-2025 period.
Electric Power Utilities Sector Jobs
In today’s modern world, electrical power is an essential necessity. It powers our homes, businesses, and industries. In the United States, we have a public utility system in place to ensure that everyone has access to reliable electricity.
The electric power industry is closely regulated by governmental and state bodies to ensure that consumers receive a dependable and affordable power supply.
The generation of electric power takes place at power plants, where various energy sources such as coal, natural gas, nuclear fission, hydroelectricity, and solar energy are used to produce electricity. As of 2020, the U.S. electric power generation sector employed over 172,000 individuals.
The electric power transmission industry plays a crucial role in our society by providing transmission and distribution services for residential and commercial customers. They also wholesale the electricity they generate to other companies who utilize it in their facilities or sell it further at higher prices.
There are several major public service companies competing for market share in this industry. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in this field, here is a list of the largest companies in the electric power transmission industry in the United States.
- Exelon Corporation
- Florida Power and Light Company
- Southern California Edison Company
Based on the U.S. Energy and Employment Report (USEER), it is evident that the energy sector had been a rapidly growing job market in the United States prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 2015 and 2019, the annual growth rate for energy employment was an impressive 3%, which is double the growth rate of 1.5% seen in the general economy.
However, the year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges as the global shutdown caused by the pandemic impacted various industries, including the traditionally strong energy sector.
According to the USEER, by the end of 2020, the total number of energy jobs had decreased to 7.5 million, reflecting a significant decline of 840,000 jobs, representing a 10% year-over-year decline.
Although the decline was evident, there were encouraging signs of recovery. At the peak of the pandemic in mid-2020, the energy sector experienced a staggering loss of 1.4 million jobs. However, by the end of the same year, 520,000 energy jobs had already been restored.
While the Electric Power Generation sector saw a decline of 63,300 jobs in 2020, reaching a total of 833,600 jobs, not all types of generation experienced a decrease. Wind power, for example, added 2,000 jobs, reflecting a 1.8% increase. On the other hand, Solar power, including Concentrating Solar Power and Photovoltaics, faced the most significant job losses, shedding 28,700 jobs. The coal industry witnessed a notable 10% decline, resulting in a loss of 8,300 jobs.
The Transmission, Distribution, and Storage segment also experienced a decline of 61,500 jobs in 2020 compared to the previous year, with a total of 1.32 million workers.
These statistics highlight the impact of the pandemic on the energy job market, but also indicate signs of recovery as the sector gradually rebounds.
Water and Waste Utilities Sector Job
The maintenance and provision of water supply and sewage services in the United States constitute a significant industry that involves multiple organizations, each with distinct roles and responsibilities.
This sector bears the responsibility of collecting wastewater from residential and commercial establishments, treating it, and ensuring its safe release back into the environment. Its core objective is to provide clean water and promote its responsible utilization.
This comprehensive process is crucial for preserving the cleanliness and health of our water resources. The task of sewage removal is a monumental undertaking, employing a multitude of individuals across the country.
The companies operating within this sector are tasked with the construction and maintenance of wastewater treatment plants, as well as the collection and disposal of wastewater.
They likewise work with nearby state-run administrations to guarantee that guidelines are observed and that the general’s wellbeing is safeguarded.
States with the highest employment level in Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators:
| State | Employment | Employment per thousand jobs | Location quotient | Hourly mean wage | Annual mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 10,850 | 0.66 | 0.77 | $ 36.33 | $ 75,570 |
| Texas | 10,110 | 0.84 | 0.97 | $ 19.85 | $ 41,290 |
| Florida | 7,710 | 0.91 | 1.06 | $ 23.40 | $ 48,660 |
| Pennsylvania | 5,700 | 1.03 | 1.20 | $ 26.43 | $ 54,970 |
| New York | 5,310 | 0.61 | 0.71 | $ 30.87 | $ 64,220 |
Public Service Utility Sector
In our everyday lives, we heavily depend on various public services that are essential for the smooth functioning of our society. These services are delivered by government agencies and are typically funded through our tax contributions. They encompass a wide range of provisions such as police and fire protection, public education, road maintenance, and many others.
While we may often take these services for granted, they play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and functionality of our communities. Their absence or inadequacy can significantly impact our overall quality of life.
Therefore, it is imperative to ensure that the public services we rely upon are adequately funded and efficiently managed. We all share the responsibility of ensuring that our tax dollars are utilized effectively and responsibly to provide the necessary services we require.
The public sector is a substantial employer, with approximately 20.2 million individuals working within it in the United States. This accounts for approximately 14.5 percent of the total workforce. Among public sector employment, the largest division is local government, which constitutes approximately 63.5 percent of the public sector workforce. State government employment comprises around 23.2 percent, while federal non-postal workers constitute 8.8 percent.
The services delivered by public employees have remained relatively stable over the past few decades. State and local public employees primarily concentrate their efforts in education (52 percent), health, housing, and welfare (14 percent), and public safety (12 percent). Other services provided by state and local employees include transportation, utilities, and environmental services.
