Utilities Assistant Finance Specialist

The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority ("PURA") offers new Utilities Assistant Finance Specialists the opportunity to cultivate their accounting and financial expertise while also participating in the development and implementation of sound regulatory policy. Assistant Finance Specialists will work with an experienced team of technical staff, engineers, rate specialists, lawyers, and policy advisers to effect PURA's broad statutory mandate.

PURA is statutorily charged with regulating the rates and services of Connecticut's investor owned electricity, natural gas, water and telecommunication companies and is the franchising authority for the state's cable television companies. In the industries that are still wholly regulated, PURA balances the public's right to safe, adequate and reliable utility service at reasonable rates with the provider's right to a reasonable return on its investment. PURA also keeps watch over competitive utility services to promote equity among the competitors while customers reap the price and quality benefits of competition and are protected from unfair business practices.

Utilities Assistant Finance Specialist serves a key role in rate cases, utility acquisitions, and utility financing. The addition of the Utilities Assistant Finance Specialist will provide PURA with the necessary resources and expertise to fulfill its mission to effectively regulate public service companies. 

The position will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051. This position is 40 hours per week, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm (flexible).
In addition, the state offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits.

PURA is located in New Britain, Connecticut. The city is a short distance from downtown Hartford with easy access to Boston and New York. The region provides incredible quality of life with reasonably-priced housing, short commutes, and an array of outdoor and cultural activities.

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

Questions about these required documents 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 the public.

The selected candidate must have a valid driver's license and must be a US citizen or have a Permanent Resident Card or other work authorization.

Failure to provide the required documents or submit your application accurately and on time, will eliminate you from the recruitment process.

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection or Office of Consumer Counsel this class is accountable for performing tasks in the planning and conducting of financial and economic analyses and studies, analyses of cost of capital, and recommending rates of return on investments.

Performs a limited range of duties relating to utility finance such as analyses of cost of capital and rates of return on rate base and equity; prepares analyses of financial operations and financial viability of utility companies including capital investments, budgeting, cash flow and/or cash management and asset management; analyzes applications and justifications for issuance of stock, bonds, notes and other evidence of indebtedness; collects economic and financial data regarding transfer of public utility assets, mergers, acquisitions and divestitures and prepares reports for analysis; assists in performing special studies on generic financial concerns being considered by Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; assists in performing financial impact studies of and reviewing utility proposals for future construction; assists in developing specifications for computerized financial models; assists in preparation for staff participation in formal hearings before Department of Energy and Environmental Protection; performs related duties as required.

Knowledge of principles and practices of finance especially as related to operation and capitalization of public utilities; knowledge of public utilities performance in stock and bond markets and impacts of those markets on utilities; knowledge of public utility corporate financial structure; knowledge of rate of return and cost of capital analyses including computer applications; some knowledge of financial aspects of company mergers and divestitures; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills.

Six (6) years of professional experience in business, finance or quantitative analysis.

1. College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (l5) semester hours equalling one-half (l/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
2. A Master's degree in finance, economics, accounting, business, mathematics, computer science or other closely related field may be substituted for one (l) additional year of the General Experience.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
  
  
• Familiarity with determining cost of equity utilizing the discounted cash flow, risk premium analysis and capital asset pricing model methodologies.
  
  
• Familiarity employing liquidity, leverage and profitability ratio analysis.
  
  
• Familiarity with credit rating methodologies.

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.