STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Public Utilities Director Of Advocacy And Regulatory Operations

Public Utilities Regulatory Authority

Recruitment #190201-6667MP-001

Introduction

At the State of ConnecticutDepartment of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy. 

The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electric, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state's cable television companies.  Ensuring affordable and reliable service from these sectors is critical to maintaining public health and safety and a thriving economy in the state of Connecticut.  PURA is statutorily charged with regulating many aspects of Connecticut's utility sector, including but not limited to: ensuring the prudence of electric system modernization, natural gas system expansion and water system infrastructure investments, reviewing mergers and acquisitions in all the above regulated sectors, conducting periodic utility rate cases, overseeing service quality, safety, and investment for the state's telecommunications infrastructure, and implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety.

PURA has an exciting opportunity currently available for a Public Utilities Director of Advocacy and Operations. This position's major responsibilities are managing legislative and governmental relations, prosecutorial staff in contested proceedings and whistleblower investigatory matters.

This position is generally Monday-Friday, 40 hours per week. Must be flexible based on agency needs.

Applicants must include a resume within the "Resume Tab" of their application.

Questions about the required documents should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: Anne Dana, Anne.Dana@ct.gov, (860)424-3354.

Selection Plan

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, this class is accountable for administering the programs and operations of the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority Operations Division.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Administers the operations of the Division; ensures the effectiveness of the Division's administrative activities including legislative, communications and prosecutorial services; develops plans and strategies to ensure that inter/intra agency, legislative and intergovernmental communications are effective; develops, implements and evaluates division policies, goals and objectives; reviews policies and management practices for effectiveness and develops recommendations for improvement; designs and develops division programs and activities; implements new procedures and procedural revisions; prepares division budget; maintains contacts and develops and implements communications and outreach strategies with individuals within and outside of the division who might impact on policy or program activities; works closely with the Chair, the Unit Managers within the division, and other Agency directors to assure cooperation and effective utility regulation; serves as liaison between the Prosecutorial Unit and other Unit managers to ensure that laws governing ex-parte communications are not violated while maintaining the unit's autonomy; may oversee detailed studies, analyses and evaluations of utility organizational structures, management and operating procedures; performs related duties as required.

This position:

·       Manages legislative and government relations (including preparing legislative proposals from PURA, responding to inquiries from elected officials and their staff, monitoring docket activity for legislative implications, advising technical staff and attorneys on new legislation and amendments).

·       Acts as a liaison with legislators, legislative staff, the utilities, municipalities, consumer and business groups, residential customers and other PURA stakeholders for docketed matters (administrative responsibility only) and consumer complaints and inquiries.

·       Manages prosecutorial staff in contested proceedings.  Parties to PURA proceedings are encouraged to consider settlement and other forms of alternative dispute resolution to resolve disputes in a way that is cost-effective, timely, efficient, balanced and fair.  Overseeing the PURA staff assigned to work with the parties to facilitate settlement and represent PURA concerns in negotiations.

·       Manages whistleblower investigatory matters as required by Sec. 16-8a - Protection of employee of public service company, contractor or Nuclear Regulatory Commission from retaliation.

·       Serves as Press/Public Information Officer.

·       Stays current, tracks and monitors actions involving PURA’s Docketed and Non-Docketed matters.

·       Coordinates PURA’s emergency operations planning (including training and maintaining staffing at the Emergency Operations Center during storms and other disaster events; serving as the primary liaison with the regulated utilities, municipal, and state officials during and after storm events).

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of and ability to apply management principles and techniques; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; considerable knowledge of relevant State and Federal laws, statutes and regulations; considerable knowledge of the State legislative and regulatory process; knowledge of the principles and practices of fiscal management; knowledge of principles and practices of utility regulation including those relating to electricity, gas, water, telephone, cable television, and transportation utilities; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communications skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Nine (9) years of professional experience in the area of energy and/or utility regulatory matters, plus (or including) two (2) years of experience in a working lead/supervisor capacity* in public policy and regulation, including some experience in energy and/or utility regulation.

Note: Working Lead/Supervisor capacity will be interpreted as leading or supervising complex projects and/or teams of professional technical employees, including scheduling, assigning, overseeing , and reviewing work of assigned teams.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  1. College training in a scientific or technical discipline related to energy or utility regulation, including but not limited to law, policy, economics, finance, accounting, engineering, renewable energy, energy conservation or related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equaling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
  2. A Master's degree in a scientific or technical discipline related to energy or utility regulation, including but not limited to law, policy, economics, finance, accounting, engineering, renewable energy, energy conservation or related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.