State of Maryland

STD0020

PROFESSIONAL SERVICE BARGAINING UNIT: X NCP

A Public Service Commission (PSC) Climate and Policy Impact Analyst II is the full performance level of work responsible for estimating the climate change impact of all proceedings before the Public Service Commission (PSC) as required by law including but not limited to Regulated Utility Rate Cases, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, and the Renewable Portfolio Standard. Employees in this class develop assumptions for avoided cost, conduct cost benefit analysis, and develop economic models for estimating climate change impact. Employees in this classification do not supervise other positions.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from a higher-level designated administrator. Employees in this classification may be required to travel throughout the State of Maryland to visit generation facilities, energy projects or construction sites. Employees may be subject to work evenings, weekends and holidays.

Positions in this classification are evaluated using the Classification job evaluation methodology. This method compares the position’s assigned duties and responsibilities to the job criteria in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The PSC Climate Policy and Impact Analyst I is differentiated from the PSC Climate Policy and Impact Analyst II on the basis of degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The PSC Climate Policy and Impact Analyst I performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times, depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed while the PSC Climate Policy and Impact Analyst II performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision.

Reviews research, studies, and other data regarding the design and structure of proposed and existing generation facilities (renewable or non-renewable), utility infrastructure, and utility programs to assess the emissions, economic, atmospheric science, biological, and environmental impacts consistent with State climate change policy goals, laws, and regulations;

Evaluates the potential climate change impacts of proposed generation facilities or the modification of existing generation facilities, utility infrastructure, and utility programs on environmental resources, including air, surface and ground water, terrestrial resources, and cultural and historic resources, while assessing overall site suitability;

Conducts analyses and evaluations of the plans, filings, and planning processes of utility companies for their climate change impacts;

Participates in meetings with State and federal government agencies, utilities, consultants, and interested parties on matters pertaining to interagency policy development and problem resolution;

Assists legal counsel in preparing cross-examination questions;

Prepares testimony for hearings before the Public Service Commission;

Testifies at hearings before the Public Service Commission;

Monitors changes in federal, State, and other regulations that affect the climate change impacts of generation facilities, utility infrastructure, and utility policies;

Monitors relevant technological changes in generation facilities and utility infrastructure;

May integrate the scientific and statistical findings of consultants and other employees into testimony and reports;

Meets with representatives of State and federal environmental protection agencies, utility, and nonutility (renewable and non-renewable) generation industries, and other relevant parties to address and identify environmental issues concerning the climate impact of generation facilities, utility infrastructure, and utility programs;

Conducts ongoing scientific research and studies on the climate impact of existing generation facilities, utility infrastructure, and utility programs on Maryland’s natural resources and eco-systems;

Presents the State's or Public Service Commission's position in policy meetings with health, utility or other interested parties;

Answers climate change impact inquiries pertaining to companies under the Public Service Commission’s jurisdiction;

May assist in preparing reports required by law from the Public Service Commission to the General Assembly, Governor, or other state agencies;

May use relevant economic, climate, or emissions modeling software to conduct analyses and prepare testimony and reports;

May participate in or assist in the administration of stakeholder groups;

Reviews proposed State legislation affecting the climate in Maryland and prepares agency’s position and fiscal impact statements;

Performs other related duties.

Knowledge of environmental economics, environmental science, climate change, and climate policies of the State to protect human and wildlife health;

Knowledge of climate control methods, techniques and industry performance measures used by generation facilities in complying with environmental laws and regulations;

Knowledge of analytical procedures and techniques used in researching, organizing, investigating, and conducting studies of the climate and climate change;

Knowledge of the principles, practices and objectives of public health related to the control of the environment;

Knowledge of the methods and techniques to be used by industries and generation facilities to meet the requirements of laws and regulations in environmental matters;

Knowledge of the objective, scope and force of laws pertaining to the general areas of environmental control, toxic substances control, environmental disease control, or radiation control and sanitation;

Skill in identifying interrelationships and trends in financial data and reports relating to climate and climate changes;

Skill in setting up and maintaining Excel spreadsheets;

Skill in developing and preparing statistical data and report formats on the environment and climate;

Skill in time management;

Ability to conduct complex technical evaluation of the environmental and economic issues related to the climate policies of the State;

Ability to evaluate the potential environmental impact of proposed or existing programs related to the climate policies of the State;

Ability to present recommendations on environmental and climate impacts to internal Public Service Commission staff and outside parties in both written and oral form;

Ability to act as an expert witness in climate and climate change, and to provide testimony before proceedings of the Public Service Commission;

Ability to work cooperatively and collaboratively with representatives of other State agencies and offices charged with the protection of Maryland’s natural resources and ecosystems;

Ability to communicate effectively;

Ability to handle and maintain confidential information;

Ability to effectively communicate ideas, results of findings, procedures and policies, conclusions, and recommendations.

Experience: Four (4) years of experience with a public service commission, other governmental agencies, consulting organizations, regulated enterprise, or Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO) performing climate change impact analysis.

Education: A Bachelor’s degree in environmental economics, environmental science, environmental engineering, climate science or climatology, meteorology, atmospheric science, public health, ecology and conservation, geography, journalism, education, business, or political science.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute additional experience in climate change analysis or policy, environmental policy, energy policy, or economic or econometrically based climate analysis on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. Candidates may substitute a Master’s degree in environmental economics, environmental science, environmental engineering, climate science or climatology, meteorology, atmospheric science, public health, ecology and conservation, geography, journalism, education, business, or political science for one year of the required experience.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a Commissioned Officer in any of the field areas noted in the education section on a year-for-year basis for the required education and/or experience.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties that require operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator’s license valid in the State of Maryland.

Candidates may be responsible for providing their own transportation as needed to access meetings, remote locations, and job destinations as assigned.

Class specifications are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.

Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

This classification is one level in a Non-Competitive Promotion (NCP) series. NCP promotions are promotions by which employees may advance in grade and class level from trainee to full performance level in a classification series. In order to be non-competitively promoted to the next level in a NCP series, an employee must: 1) perform the main purpose of the class, as defined by the Nature of Work section of the class specification; 2) receive the type of supervision defined in the class specification and 3) meet the minimum qualifications of the classification.

October 1, 2025

Director, Division of Classification and Salary