Rate Specialist

 

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 currently has a promotional job opportunity for two (2) Rate Specialist positions.  One Rate Specialist will support the Licensing & Certification Unit, and one Rate Specialist will support the Clean & Affordable Energy Unit.  In both positions, the Rate Specialists will be expected to participate in investigations or examinations of complex material across multiple sectors, including electric, gas, water, cable and telecommunications. 

 

The position will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.

 

This position is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm.

 

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

 

Questions about this position should be directed to the hiring agency's human resources office: DEEP Human Resources. DEEP.HumanResources@ct.gov, (860)424-3006.

This position is competitive.  Open to Agency employees only.

 

In order to be considered for this job opening, you must be a current State of CT employee of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, who has permanent state status*, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

*For employees in the classified service, permanent status is obtained after successful completion of a working test period.  For employees in the unclassified service, permanent status is obtained after serving in a position for at least six months (full-time or full-time equivalent).

 

Please be advised this is a promotional opportunity for employees in the recruiting agency.  The selected employee will be promoted by reclassification in his or her position.  This is NOT A VACANCY and, therefore, merit system and reemployment rules do not apply.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Office of Consumer Counsel this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting studies, analysis and research on the activities of electric, gas, water, telecommunications and cable television companies for the purpose of verifying rate structures in accordance with revenue allowed and improving rate design and investigation and mediation of disputes between claimants, consumers and/or public utility companies.

Schedules and performs studies and analyses of various companies under departmental jurisdiction; studies and recommends methods of providing services more closely associated with cost based rates; assists in establishing and maintaining a database on costs, demand characteristics and rates of companies for trend analysis, econometric analysis and special studies; provides specification for computer models for use in econometric analysis and studies associated with rate structure and allocated cost of service; reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations, findings and orders; assists in preparation for staff participation in formal hearings before department; reviews, evaluates and reports on technical papers, actions taken by regulatory or legislative bodies and other developments which have a bearing upon policies and practices of regulated companies; performs economic analysis in area of rate structure design and impact on consumer; independently reviews individual consumer complaints, prepares reports of rate and policy review work, examinations and investigations; participates in investigations or examinations of complex complaints and/or filings; attempts to resolve disputes over rate and service issues; participates in drafting recommendations for department decisions; documents procedures; may cross examine witnesses of utility companies; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines; knowledge of principles and practices of rate structure design; knowledge of economic, financial and statistical methodologies used in analyzing rate structure; knowledge of business practices and operational procedures of public utility companies; knowledge of methods and procedures for conducting investigations and examinations; some knowledge of computer and statistical analytical packages; oral and written communication skills; interpersonal skills; ability to utilize computer software.

Six (6) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling 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 closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

• Knowledge of and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines; knowledge of principles and practices of rate structure design;
• Knowledge of economic, financial and statistical methodologies used in analyzing rate structure;
• Knowledge of business practices and operational procedures of public utility companies;
• Knowledge of methods and procedures for conducting investigations and examinations;
• Knowledge of computer and statistical analytical packages; oral and written
• Communication and interpersonal skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

1. Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
2. Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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.