Public Utility Regulatory Analyst (Utility and Energy Analyst 3)

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Job Description:

Join the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) for an opportunity to shape Oregon’s evolving energy landscape! The PUC is at the forefront of the state’s efforts to transform our energy systems to provide clean, safe, reliable, and equitable utility services at affordable rates.

About the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC):

The PUC sets utility rates and terms of service through broad delegated legislative powers and must balance the interests and rights of multiple organizations and individuals representing divergent and conflicting business, consumer, and public interests. Investor-owned utilities currently receive approximately $5 billion in revenues annually from 2.4 million Oregon consumers. The PUC’s decisions on individual issues may be more than $100 million in annual revenues paid by Oregon consumers. The PUC receives no General or Lottery funds and instead is funded through a dedicated per-month fee on regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utility bills.

Our mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law. More information about our vision and values can be found at: www.oregon.gov/PUC.

What you will do as a Public Utility Regulatory Analyst:

The PUC is in search of multiple full-time Public Utility Regulatory Analysts in the agency’s Energy Program, which focuses on the regulation of electric and natural gas utilities. In these roles, you will use your analytical, communication, and collaboration skills to develop recommendations on emerging energy topics affecting Oregonians and the region. You will conduct quantitative and qualitative analysis to provide recommendations on a range of issues, such as decarbonization, grid modernization, energy justice, integration with regional markets, and the alignment of utility activities with the public interest.

The Energy Program focuses on key aspects of the agency’s mission, including planning, resource procurement, ratemaking, and regulatory policy. In these roles you will serve as a technical and policy expert on diverse regulatory matters including:

• Scrutinizing regulated utility provider’s planning proposals and modeling techniques.

• Developing modern rate designs and cost allocations.

• Conducting economic analysis on utility resource and grid investment decisions.

• Evaluating the impact of utility actions, or proposals, on different communities, populations, and customer classes.

• Overseeing utility customer programs and pilots.

• Developing recommendations through an open public process that broadens participation, inclusion, and diverse perspectives in regulatory and policy decisions.

Benefits for joining our Team

• Rewarding work in a productive and creative environment.

• Colleagues who are innovative and passionate about public service.

• Work/life balance, 11 paid holidays a year, and a competitive benefits package.

• Advancement and learning opportunities that will help grow your career with the State of Oregon.

• Low-cost medical, vision, and dental plans for you and your family. Additional benefits include life insurance, short and long-term disability, deferred compensation savings plans, and flexible spending accounts for health and childcare.

• Possible eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Hybrid Work:

The PUC’s offices are located downtown Salem, near the State Capitol, and we maintain a Portland satellite office. Hybrid work consists of performing duties onsite in a standard office environment and working remotely (generally from the employee’s personal residence). Currently, PUC employees who live in the state of Oregon may request approval for a hybrid work option. Certain remote work options may be considered for those residing in Washington state.

The ability to report to the Salem and Portland offices, as needed, is required when business or operational needs are necessary for onsite activities. Hybrid work is evaluated periodically by the agency to ensure business needs are being met and can be adjusted at any time.

Minimum Qualifications:

A skilled professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Engineering or a closely related field, and four years of professional-level experience in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Engineering.

OR

Seven years of work experience in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a closely related field, and four years of professional-level experience in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, or Engineering; four of which must have been at a professional level.

A Master's degree in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a closely-related field, will substitute for one year of the professional-level work experience.

A Juris Doctorate or a Doctoral degree in Public Policy, Accounting, Finance, Economics, Engineering, or a closely-related field, will substitute for two years of the professional-level work experience.

Requested Skills:

(Note: You do not need to have education or work experience related to all the following requested skills to be considered for the position(s).)

• Work experience or graduate-level education, performing complex mathematical analysis with a regulatory or public policy focus.

• Work experience in energy policy, and/or the delivery and evaluation of energy-related programs. 

• Work experience, or education, that demonstrates the ability to independently research complex policy or technical topic areas and compose clear and concise written recommendations. 

• Work experience that demonstrates the ability to provide clear and persuasive presentations to decision makers. 

• Professional-level work experience that supports the application of problem-solving, time management, adaptability, communication, and critical thinking to the development, implementation, and oversight of energy-related public policy and/or utility regulatory practices.

• Work experience with a public utility commission, energy utility provider, regulated utility, or energy-focused consumer advocacy organization.

• Work experience that demonstrates the ability to convene and facilitate conversations with diverse perspectives. 

How to Apply:

To submit a complete application, you must use the State of Oregon “Workday” recruitment system. Using the Workday system:

1) Click “Apply” at the top of this job announcement;

2) Create a new Workday account OR login to your existing Workday account;

3) Complete and submit your electronic application; and

4) As an attachment to your Workday application upload a resume demonstrating how your education and/or work experience meet the “Minimum Qualifications” and “Requested Skills” listed in this posting.

The PUC will consider only complete applications submitted online by the closing date/time posted on this announcement.

**If you are a current employee of the State of Oregon, you MUST apply through your internal State of Oregon employee Workday account and attach the requested materials.**

Please ensure you’ve provided a thorough and updated application, including your resume, as it pertains to the position for which you are applying. If you are hired, your application materials will be used to determine salary based on an equal pay calculator. For further information, please visit the Oregon Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Equal Pay homepage. 

How to Get Noticed:

Qualified candidates whose training and/or work experience most closely match the requested skills of the position may be eligible for an interview. Applications will be screened for consistency of information and professional communication skills (i.e., clarity, conciseness, attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.).

Veterans:

Eligible Veterans and Oregon National Guard servicemembers (current and former) who meet the qualifications of the position will be awarded candidate preference. For more information, please visit Veterans, Disabled Veterans & State Servicemembers Resources.

NOTE: If requesting preference, please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.

Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact PUC Human Resource Analyst Jessica Leedham at 503-580-5740.

Additional Information about Employment with PUC: 

The use of outside resources such as Artificial Intelligence software during applicant skill assessments, examinations, and/or interviews is prohibited unless otherwise stated by the hiring agency. Unauthorized use of outside resources during the hiring process will result in disqualification.

The State of Oregon does not request or require your age, date of birth, attendance or graduations dates from an educational institution during the application process.

United States Employment Eligibility: The PUC does not offer visa sponsorship. Within three days of hire, all applicants will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's Form I-9, confirming authorization to work in the United States. The PUC is an E-Verify employer. If you are a successful candidate, you must present your I-9 acceptable documents for employment verification.

If you are hired, you may be required to provide facts about past employment and present financial interests if they could be connected with the businesses regulated by the PUC.

Hybrid work may be provided to PUC staff in accordance with DAS statewide policy, 50.050.01. Requests are evaluated based on the agency’s business needs. Staff with approval for hybrid work must demonstrate suitability for hybrid work, have access to a high/speed internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements, and maintain a workspace supporting confidentiality of protected/sensitive information. This is an unrepresented, exempt position and is not eligible for overtime. This position is classified as Utility and Energy Analyst 3.

The salary listed is the non-Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) qualifying salary range. If the successful candidate is PERS qualifying, the salary range will reflect an additional 6.95%. Employees new to State of Oregon employment, or who are not yet an Oregon PERS participating member, will receive the 6.95% increase upon meeting PERS eligibility, generally, after completion of six-months of qualifying State of Oregon employment.

This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates; this list will be used to fill the current opening and may be used to fill other openings as they occur.

The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.

The PUC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to an inclusive and diverse workforce.