STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Research Analyst

Office of Consumer Counsel

Recruitment #210909-6855AR-002

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.

POSITION DETAILS:

The OCC has a current opportunity for a Research Analyst in the New Britain Office. The Research Analyst will focus on working within the Office of State Broadband, which is established within the OCC under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 16-2a(c).

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:
  • Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates;
  • Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning;
  • Energy infrastructure (e.g., gas pipelines; electric transmission lines);
  • Energy efficiency and demand response;
  • Utility service quality and storm response;
  • Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization;
  • Electric vehicles and energy storage;
  • Policy development on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, and water; and
  • Telecommunications and cable service, infrastructure and policy;
  • Broadband legal, regulatory and policy issues.
POSITION DUTIES:

  • Develops and implements formal research projects and assists in these activities on more comprehensive and complex research assignments; analyzes, interprets and prepares data in a variety of ways; prepares narrative and statistical reports; develops computerized databases and analyzes and interprets computer generated reports; performs related duties as required;
  • Work with members of OCC and Office of State Broadband before other agencies or entities on legal, regulatory and policy issues;
  • Participate as a team member of a small, highly-skilled staff dedicated to the mission of consumer advocacy;
  • Work independently and creatively solve problems;
  • Research, analyze, and apply complex laws and regulations, case law, and legal principles;
  • Collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority and other state agencies on policy and program development, grant awards or resource procurements;
  • Interact with Connecticut legislators and state officials on a broad array of issues related to the Office of Consumer Counsel, the Office of State Broadband and their missions;
  • Respond as needed to consumers and municipal leaders concerning broadband, cable and telecommunications services;
  • Will involve regulatory and policy issues for advocacy on broadband availability, affordability, and adoption and also encompasses such advocacy on consumer issues involving cable and telecommunications providers.

Selection Plan

Please ensure your application is complete prior to submission.  You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State of Connecticut.

Note:  At any point during the recruitment process, applicants may be required to submit additional documentation which support their qualification(s) for this position.  These documents may include:  a cover letter, resume, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.  Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated to apply for this position. 

This posting may require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. The email notification will include an expiration date by which you must submit (Finish) your responses. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders, as emails could end up there in error.

Although applicants will receive correspondence via email, as a backup they are also encouraged to sign on to their Personal Status Board on a daily basis to monitor their status, view all emailed notices and complete tasks required in the recruitment process.

The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applicants to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.

All State employees shall follow the guidelines as listed in Executive Orders  13F (3a) and 13G (3a).

Any questions regarding this recruitment may be directed to Erica McGuinness at erica.mcguinness@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in research design and implementation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Develops and implements formal research projects and assists in these activities on more comprehensive and complex research assignments; analyzes, interprets and prepares data in a variety of ways; prepares narrative and statistical reports; develops computerized databases and analyzes and interprets computer generated reports; performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Knowledge of research methods and techniques; knowledge of statistics; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; ability to analyze data; ability to develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform data analysis; ability to understand agency related policies and procedures as they relate to research.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in research, data analysis or economics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

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 economics, statistics or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Experience in the core advocacy mission of the Office of Consumer Counsel;
  • Experience working with a diverse and dynamic team to achieve project goals and objectives;
  • Experience in one or more of the following: energy, natural gas, water, telecommunications, utility, finance, economics, environmental, or other related technical field;
  • Experience working in a team setting;
  • Experience or interest in effective communication skills or public speaking; 
  • Experience with cable, telecommunications or broadband industries and issues. 

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.