STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Rate Specialist

Reliability, Security & Resilience

Recruitment #211217-6717AR-001

Go Back View Benefits

Introduction

Do you have the desire to make a difference on a new and dynamic team? 
If so, we have the opportunity for you! 

At the State of Connecticut, Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), we are dedicated to conserving, improving and protecting our natural resources and the environment; and increasing the availability of cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy. 

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 telecommunication infrastructure; 
  • Implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety. 
PURA currently has an opportunity for a Rate Specialist (PURA’s equivalent to a Research Analyst focused on quantitative analysis) in the Office of Utility Program and Initiatives (OUPI).  The Rate Specialist will support the work of the Reliability, Security, and Resilience unit on PURA’s Equitable Modern Grid initiative, along with assisting in implementing key portions of Public Act 20-5, known as the “Take Back Our Grid” Act, and Public Act No. 21-159, An Act Concerning Equitable Access to Broadband. 

Position Details:

This position is full-time, first shift with a schedule of 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM Monday through Friday (40 hours per week). This position is located in New Britain, CT.

The Rate Specialist will also support the agency’s proceedings related to the state’s investor-owned electric utilities’ reliability, resilience, cybersecurity, and distribution system planning efforts and programs.  The Rate Specialist will also support PURA’s efforts to ensure the equitable and timely expansion of broadband access across the state. 

The Rate Specialist will conduct technical and policy research and analysis on topics related to the Office of Utility Programs and Initiatives work including, but not limited to, broadband, reliability, security, and resilience programs inclusive of cybersecurity and vegetation management, among others; acts a project manager for discrete agency investigations, as assigned, developing procedural schedules for all dockets under their purview in order to ensure that the Authority’s objectives for each proceeding are achieved and all standard practices are followed.

More details about this role can be found in the class specification.

For more information on how you can Make an Impact by serving your State!  Watch the video below.

Selection Plan

In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process.

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

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, transcripts, diplomas, 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.

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

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

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.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

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, SKILL AND ABILITY

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.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

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

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

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s degree in political science, engineering, economics, finance, environmental studies or a related field;
  • An advanced degree in renewable energy, engineering, environmental studies, climate change, public utility regulation, finance, or economics or a related field.
  • One (1) year of professional work experience in energy policy or utility regulation;
  • Experience working on grid modernization, clean and renewable energy, energy affordability, broadband/telecommunications, electric reliability and resilience, and/or performance-based regulation;
  • Experience and proficiency in data, economic, and statistical analysis;
  • Experience in report or similar writing;
  • Experience in project management, as well as the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and to work independently;
  • Experience and proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications, including SharePoint and Teams.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

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.

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.





E-mailPhone: (860) 713-52058am - 4:30pm M-FPowered by JobAps