STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Rate Specialist

Recruitment #211217-6717AR-003

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. This Rate Specialist will be responsible for performing a full range of tasks related to independently reviewing consumer complaints and participating in examinations and investigations of complex complaints and filings. This position will be part of the Education and Outreach Unit housed within the Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement. The person in this role may be expected to attempt to resolve complex disputes over rate and service issues, interact with customers directly via phone and email regarding complaints or inquiries, and participate in drafting recommendations for department decisions.

The selected candidate will play a crucial role on upcoming assignments associated with PURA's implementation of its Equitable Modern Grid Initiative and key portions of Public Act 20-5, known as the "Take Back Our Grid" Act, including but not limited to, investigations, inspections, and audits into the regulated electric, gas, water utilities, and telecommunications companies. The Rate Specialist will also support the agency’s proceedings related to Connecticut’s energy affordability programs administered by the state’s investor-owned utilities, and support the agency’s mission of better educating the public regarding utility companies and assistance available to the public.

For more information regarding the impact and potential associated with being a member of the EOE, applicants are encouraged to review recent publications regarding the office’s accomplishments, such as this article.

This is a full-time, 40 hours-per-week position on first shift, located in New Britain. Schedule is Monday-Friday between 8:00am-5:00pm (flexible).

We offer a competitive benefits plan that includes healthcare coverage, a retirement plan as well as paid time off, including 12 paid holidays per calendar year!

For an inside look at what it is like to Make an ImpaCT as a State of Connecticut employee, check out the video below:
         

Selection Plan

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

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

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. 

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). You can access these RQs via an email that will be sent to you after the posting's closing date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board  (Certification Questionnaires section). Your responses to these RQs must be submitted by the question's expiration date. Please regularly check your email and JobAps Personal Status Board for notifications. Please check your SPAM and/or Junk folders on a daily basis in the event an email provider places auto-notification emails in a user's spam. 

The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.

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

Questions about this recruitment should be directed to Jake Ferrari via email at jake.ferrari@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

  • One (1) year of professional work experience in utility regulation
  • Experience working on consumer complaints
  • Experience working on energy affordability
  • Experience working to mediate disputes
  • Experience in report writing
  • Experience with project management skills, as well as the ability to work on multiple projects simultaneously and to work independently
  • Experience working 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.