PROGRAM MANAGER IV

The Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC or Commission) regulates public utilities and certain passenger transportation companies doing business in Maryland. The Commission regulates gas, electric, telephone, water, and sewage disposal companies. Also subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission are electricity suppliers, fees for pilotage services to vessels, construction of a generating station and certain common carriers engaged in the transportation for hire of persons. The PSC’s jurisdiction extends to taxicabs operating in the City of Baltimore, Baltimore County, Cumberland, and Hagerstown. The categories of regulated public service companies are listed below: electric utilities; gas utilities; combination gas and electric utilities; telecommunications companies; water, and water and sewerage companies; passenger motor vehicle carriers (sedans, limousines, and buses); railroad companies; taxicab companies; and other public service companies. The Commission is empowered to hear and decide matters relating to: (1) rate adjustments; (2) applications to exercise or abandon franchises; (3) applications to modify the type or scope of service; (4) approval of issuance of securities; (5) promulgation of new rules and regulations; and (6) quality of utility and common carrier service.

The Maryland Public Service Commission has a position available for the Director of the Electricity Division.  The Technical Staff of the Maryland Public Service Commission is seeking an experienced individual to fill this senior level management position. 

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William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

The Maryland Public Service Commission has a position available for the Director of the Electricity Division. Duties of the Electricity Director include: oversight of a professional staff; preparation of expert testimony and other presentations before the Commission; analysis and oversight of traditional and emerging regulatory issues; implementation of restructured competitive electric retail markets; and responding to inquiries regarding electric issues. 

The Director performs research and analysis to determine prices for electricity and related energy services. The Director works with a team of economists, accountants, engineers, and attorneys to determine the recommended prices, policies or contract terms that an electric company will charge its customers for electric power. The primary duty of this position is to provide leadership to a professional staff of Regulatory Economists, develop expert testimony as well as analytical and policy support to the Commission, directly or through the support of other division employees, in several areas including: electric power prices, energy markets and energy competition, renewable and distributed energy systems, the development of competitive energy markets, barriers to electric market competition and complaints of anti-competitive activities. 

The Director may also represent the Electricity Division as a member of a working group tasked with developing rules, reports, agreements, or other tasks which support the Commission's energy markets.

This is a Management Service position, and serves at the pleasure of the Appointing Authority.

The Electricity Director is responsible for training Regulatory Economists in performing all Division-related tasks and managing the Electricity Division’s workflow, supervising Regulatory Economists, and editing and reviewing their work products.  Primary duties for this position also include analyzing utility rate applications and functioning as an expert witness on regulatory, economic, financial and other technical topics in proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission.  Duties will include analysis of electric power prices, regulations or other topics as needed. The Director will prepare or supervise the preparation of written reports and presentations, testify as expert witnesses or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested proceedings.  A successful applicant would be comfortable analyzing utility proposals for setting electricity prices and terms of service and writing recommendations about the disposition of those proposals.   

In addition to the previously described traditional regulatory issues, the Director may have the opportunity to participate (or coordinate the participation of employees) in proceedings or working groups involving new areas where the Commission has authority to regulate rates or implement legislative energy policies.  These areas may include electric vehicle programs, energy storage programs, solar energy/net metering programs, time-varying rates, and Maryland's utility supplier diversity program.  Electricity Division employees often research new technologies like photovoltaic solar power or battery storage that influence how electricity is provided to Maryland utility customers.   

The Director will need to possess a firm knowledge of power industry issues, legal, financial, and economic theory, and Maryland specific utility practices.  The ability to perform self-directed research of economic, engineering, financial, and legal topics is critical to the position.   Candidates must have experience using personal computer-based word processor software and spreadsheet software to prepare reports, written comments, and data analysis. (Microsoft Office preferred).  The ideal candidate will possess effective leadership skills as evidenced by at least two years of supervisory or management experience with technical knowledge workers; verbal and written communication skills as demonstrated by prepared reports, analysis or presentations, and experience conducting analysis of complex energy-related programs, technologies or business plans.  The candidate should have the ability to develop realistic plans and coordinate activities to meet the work requirements described above.   The position requires significant daily written work products of high technical quality.  A successful candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication/presentation skills. 

Education: A bachelor's degree in economics, engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil or industrial), finance, accounting, mathematics, statistics, physics, public policy, or a related field from an accredited college or university.

Experience: Three years of experience in the regulatory, electric utility, renewable energy or energy services industries.

Notes: Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military experience as a commissioned officer in any of the field areas noted in the education section above.

1.Three years experience writing on technical or business topics.

2. Two years of experience using Microsoft Excel and Word to analyze technical issues and prepare written analysis.

3. One year of experience performing financial analysis.

4. One year of experience working as part of a working group on utility regulatory issues.

5. One year of experience analyzing regulations or legislation regarding electric utility issues.

Please make sure that you provide sufficient information on your application to show that you meet the qualifications for this recruitment. All information concerning your qualifications must be submitted by the closing date. We will not consider information submitted after this date. Successful candidates will be placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The evaluation may consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position. It is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Please report all experience and education that is related to this position.

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.