STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Economist

Recruitment #200701-3150AR-001

Introduction

 

The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved. In addition to representing consumer interests before PURA, the OCC participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts, and promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums.

 

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:  1) Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates;  2) Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning;, 3) Energy infrastructure (e.g., gas pipelines; electric transmission lines); 4) Energy efficiency and demand response; 5) Utility service quality and storm response; 6)  Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization; 7)  Electric vehicles and energy storage; 8) Policy development on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, and water; and 9) Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy. 

 

The OCC has a current opportunity for an Economist in the New Britain Office. The Economist will have the opportunity to work and participate in utility regulatory proceedings before the PURA and the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, including the opportunity to serve as lead technical staff on matters involving a variety of advanced and complex economic and financial issues related to OCC's statutory responsibilities.  

 

This position is full-time, 40 hours per week, Monday – Friday, and will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.

 

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.  

Selection Plan

This position is competitive. Open to the public.

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please also check your SPAM/Junk folders.  You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.  

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency, this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in economics.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Acts as a working level economic specialist in a state agency on economic matters; assists in the planning, development and improvement of business and commerce in the state; conducts economic studies including research and analysis in industrial, commercial, labor, financial and regulatory areas to develop data related to programs or services of the agency assigned and formulates recommendations concerning these studies; conducts and reviews cost/benefit analyses on economic development programs; studies trends in labor and/or business activity and its components; researches and provides oral and written reports; researches and provides testimony on legislative proposals; develops procedures and econometric tests for improved monitoring of financial institutions; participates in economic model building and forecasting; may perform studies of corporate expansion into Connecticut including site location, fiscal incentives, utilities rates and labor market skills availability; performs related duties as required.

This specific position will:

Acts as a working level economic specialist at the Office of Consumer Counsel performing economic analysis in evaluating various utility and energy programs. Conducts economic studies including research and analysis in industrial, commercial, labor, financial and regulatory areas to develop data related to programs or services of the Office of Consumer Counsel. Studies trends in labor and/or business activity and its components. Develops procedures and econometric tests for improved monitoring of Connecticut’s regulated utility companies and State energy programs. Participates in economic model building and forecasting.  

Other duties include:

Performing net benefit analysis and other economic analysis of energy efficiency, conservation and load management programs;

Performing net benefit analysis and other economic analysis of projects proposed to be constructed under the Comprehensive Energy Plan;

Performing net benefit analysis and other economic analysis of renewable energy projects, Micro-grids, Electric Smart Grid, Zero Emission Vehicles and related infrastructure, and Smart Meters deployment;

Monitoring and evaluating regional planning activities performed by ISO-New England and NEPOOL;

Evaluate procurement bids for standard offer service and last resort service generation;

Evaluate renewable energy project bids made under State mandated program procurements;        

Participate in Federal Energy Regulatory Commission matters concerning: energy planning, infrastructure development such as natural gas pipelines and electric transmission projects, and natural gas-electricity coordination;

Research and evaluate the broadband needs of Connecticut’s municipalities and underserved communities;

Evaluate the forecasts of utility supply and demand; 

Participate in national planning initiatives at the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to address carbon emissions from existing power plants;

In utility rate proceedings, perform projections of sales and customer growth, inflation and evaluation of infrastructure improvements;

Researches and provides oral and written reports;         

Researches and provides testimony in PURA proceedings and on legislative proposals.  

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of advanced economic theory and analysis; knowledge of principles, techniques and factors involved in financial and/or regulatory economic development; knowledge of urban and regional economics; knowledge of methods and techniques of inferential statistics and econometric modeling; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform economic, statistical and econometric analysis; ability to perform varied assignments on economic matters; ability to organize and conduct economic studies and surveys.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in applied economics or economic research.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

1. College training in economics or a closely related field may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equallling 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 economics or in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
3. A doctoral degree in economics or closely related fields may be substituted for two (2) additional years of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge of advanced economic theory and analysis;

Knowledge of principles, techniques and factors involved in financial and/or utility regulation;

Knowledge of methods and techniques of inferential statistics and econometric modeling;

Interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills;

Demonstrated ability to work in a team setting;

Ability to develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform economic, statistical and econometric analysis;

Ability to perform varied assignments on economic matters;

Ability to organize and conduct economic studies and surveys; and       

General knowledge of utility and energy issues a plus.

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.