Senior Economist (Rate/Financial Analyst IV): DORA/Public Utilities Commission - Statewide Promotion

Full Job Description

Hybrid Workplace Arrangement:

Although this position will be designated under the department’s hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business need.

This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

Consumer protection is our mission.

DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.

• Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.

• Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!

• Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

• Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

• Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.

• Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

• Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.

• Short- and long-term disability coverage.

• Tuition assistance program.

Requirements

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state.

The Fixed Utilities sections of the Commission include economists, rate/financial analysts, engineers, and administrative support, supplemented by outside experts.

The staff within these sections work together as a team to challenge, develop, present, and recommend complex economic, financial, engineering, and legal proposals regarding utility regulation.

The staff functions both in uncontested proceedings as well as in formal litigated proceedings before the Commission.

In performing these functions, the work unit must balance the need for financially healthy utilities with the needs of consumers for safe, reliable electric, gas, steam, water, or geothermal utility service at rates that are just and reasonable.

The work unit must assist the Commission in the evolution of new regulatory structures in the face of a changing business environment brought about by: increased focus on consumer protection; emerging technologies and increasing competition in many areas of utility operations; emerging understanding of environmental impacts and related costs of traditional utility services; and an increased legislative focus on energy and environmental policies.

Specifically, the Economics Section staff provides the economic expertise necessary to permit the PUC to carry out its statutory mandate to achieve a regulatory environment that provides safe, reliable, and quality services to electric, natural gas, steam, propane distribution, and water utility customers on just and reasonable terms.

The economists provide analysis and examination of utility proposals and make technical and policy recommendations via testimony or advisory memorandum, and briefings.

The work involves the application of financial and/or accounting standards, advanced economic analyses, and state and federal rules and regulations to analyze applications for rate establishment or changes in rates and terms of service by public utilities.

Frequently, the economics staff works as members of multi-disciplinary teams comprised of accountants, financial and policy analysts, engineers, statisticians, auditors, lawyers, and other economists to analyze all aspects of rate requests or applications for utility programs and proposals, or to perform investigations or audits.

Position: SGA 5128

The purpose of the Senior Economist position within the Economics Section is to provide the Commission with economic analysis and policy and/or technical recommendations through advisory meetings or memorandum when in an advisory role, or through written and oral testimony when in a trial staff advocacy or litigant role.

This economic analysis focuses primarily on utility rate design, revenue requirements, the allocation of costs across functional categories, rate recovery mechanisms, and rate classes, and electric resource planning.

This position’s purpose is to review and evaluate utility filings in conjunction with other Senior Economists and the Chief Economist, to provide research support to the Economics Section, to formulate recommendations and expert testimony resulting from review of utility filings, and to often serve as the lead in litigated proceedings before the Commission.

The scope of the analyses includes cost allocation, consumer cost impacts, alternative cost recovery methodologies, cost and environmental assessment of generation resource options, and other policy goals.

Duties include, but are not limited to:

• Performing economic and financial analysis for revenue requirement cases, rate design proposals, evaluation of proposed utility investments and financing mechanisms, other utility proposals, including developing potential alternatives;

• Assisting in the evaluation of large and complex data sets and conducting economic, statistical, and financial analysis related to public utilities;

• Providing specific recommendations within the Section and working with other professionals, including engineers, economists, rate financial analysts, and legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General;

• Examining and investigating the books and records of regulated utilities in order to verify that utility applications and tariff filings meet generally accepted regulatory practices, as well as Commission rules;

• Reviewing the reasonableness of utility proposals; performing economic analyses as a basis for recommendations to approve, modify, or deny utility applications or tariff filings; and interpreting and implementing policies for utility cost recovery;

• Performing research as directed by the Commission or the Section Chief regarding employment, economics, demographics, energy, and other data sets to help inform the analyses and recommendations of the Economics Section in various proceedings.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience

Option 1: Experience

• Nine (9) years of full-time, progressively responsible, professional* work experience conducting economic, financial, and/or quantitative analysis.

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience

• Associate’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate’s degree in accounting, business administration, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, public policy, statistics, or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Seven (7) years of full-time, progressively responsible, professional* work experience conducting economic, financial, and/or quantitative analysis.

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

OR

• Bachelor’s Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business administration, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, public policy, statistics, or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Five (5) years of full-time, progressively responsible, professional* work experience conducting economic, financial, and/or quantitative analysis.

• Certification as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.

Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree.

A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelor's degree requirement.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in a government body conducting research and analyzing financial information to provide recommendations on program matters;

• Demonstrated professional* experience, knowledge of, or familiarity with national, regional, and state energy policy;

• Demonstrated experience working in the utility industry performing analytical work, and/or preparing regulatory filings, or working on energy policy

• Advanced degree in accounting, business administration, economics, engineering, finance, mathematics, public policy, or statistics;

• Demonstrated professional* experience with the processes associated with formal litigation, such as asking and answering discovery questions, developing written testimony, and demonstrated ability to defend a position under cross-examination in a courtroom-like environment;

• Demonstrated professional* experience in understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and providing recommendations on policy and legislative proposals;

• Demonstrated experience gathering, researching, synthesizing, and summarizing existing financial, policy, and/or technical studies, including technological, economic, and policy changes impacting the cost of service of electric and gas utilities;

• Demonstrated professional* experience working with electric or gas utility companies or the entities that regulate those companies.

Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;

• Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;

• Demonstrated attention to detail;

• Demonstrated ability to engage in public speaking, including presenting testimony at hearings or courts;

• Demonstrated experience researching, analyzing, and/or giving recommendations on emerging energy or regulated utility matters;

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;

• Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;

• Demonstrated problem-solving skills, including the ability to recommend solutions;

• Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multitask to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices, and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;

• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;

• Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;

• Integrity and high ethical standards;

• Accountability, reliability, including attendance;

• Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;

• Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;

• Demonstrated professional demeanor;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc’s, Sheets, Slides, etc).

Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.

  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information,etc.

  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.

• Ability to travel independently, including work in-office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.

Additional Information

PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

Interested individuals must submit the following online:

1. A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application).

Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

2. A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email.

Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and ‘@state.co.us’ addresses, and check your email often.

Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies.

You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect.

Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

Part of the comparative analysis process and/or the interview process may be conducted through remote video conferencing (i.e. Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

Veterans’ Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans’ Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application.

Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness.

Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities.

ADAAA Accommodations: DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals.

As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship.

If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dora_adacoordinator@state.co.us.

Check out our excellent benefits package!

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE USED TO FILL MULTIPLE VACANCIES

While a salary range is posted for this position, an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis, which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative.

This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures, Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes, at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.