Associate 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 an Associate Rate Specialist position.  The Associate Rate Specialist will support a new division of PURA:  the Clean & Affordable Energy Unit.  The position will be responsible for applying principles and practices of ratemaking, rate design and analysis to programs across multiple sectors, including electric, gas, water, cable and telecommunications.  The position will support the evaluation and formation of rate design that decreases the barriers to energy affordability in the state.

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 performing as a specialist in complex cases pertaining to rates of public utilities companies and conducting complex investigations and mediation of disputes between claimants, consumers and/or public utility companies.

Performs the most complex related duties in conducting investigations, performing research work and analyzing rate structures and/or in response to consumer complaints and inquiries; holds hearings or formal mediation meetings pertaining to rate and/or service of electric, gas, cable television, water and sewage and telecommunications companies; develops administrative record of rate cases; testifies as an expert witness in court cases involving department; cross examines witnesses of utility companies; analyzes income statements pertaining to operating revenues and expenses of such companies; reviews and analyzes rate structures and bill frequency studies; performs special studies pertaining to rates, revenues and service; reviews and monitors various contracts of public utilities; establishes and maintains a database of public utility costs, demands, complaints, etc.; reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations; attempts to resolve disputes over rate and service issues; participates in drafting recommendations for department decisions; documents procedures; may assist in training of lower level Rate Specialists and other staff; performs related duties as required.

Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines; considerable knowledge of operational procedures of public utility companies; considerable knowledge of principles and practices in field of rate making, rate structure design, rate cost analysis and allocation of revenues by classes of services including design and analysis of utility rates; some knowledge of computer and statistical packages; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; ability to utilize computer software; some supervisory ability.

Seven (7) 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.

• Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines;
• Considerable knowledge of operational procedures of public utility companies;
• Considerable knowledge of principles and practices of ratemaking, rate design and analysis of utility rates;
• Some knowledge of computer and statistical packages;
• Considerable interpersonal skills;
• Considerable oral and written communication 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.