STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Research Analyst

Recruitment #240328-6855AR-001

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Introduction


The State of Connecticut, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has an exciting opportunity for a Research Analyst with the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority's (PURA), Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (TRA).

What we can offer you
  • The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule
  • A Platinum Healthcare Plan, the nation’s best for state employees and dependents, according to a report by Georgetown’s Center on Health Insurance Reform and article by Ellen Andrews, Ph.D., along with comprehensive benefit offerings
  • Extensive pension plan and supplemental retirement offerings;
  • Paid time off - including 13 paid holidays per calendar year;
  • Professional growth and paid professional development opportunities; and
  • A healthy work-life balance for all employees!
Position highlights
As a Research Analyst, you will work in the Utility Performance and Analysis (UPA) Unit to support PURA's focuses of Accountability, Sustainability and Innovation, addition to coordinating with other units of TRA.

Responsibilities may include:
  • Conducting technical and policy research and analysis on topics assigned to the Utility Performance and Analysis unit including, but not limited to, renewable energy, affordability, clean energy innovation, broadband, reliability, security, and resilience programs inclusive of cybersecurity and vegetation management, distribution planning, performance-based utility regulation, among others. 
  • Acting as a project manager for discrete agency investigations, as assigned, developing procedural schedules for all dockets under their purview ensuring that the Authority’s objectives for each proceeding are achieved and all standard practices are followed. 
  • Studying and recommending methods of providing services more closely associated with cost and performance-based rates. 
  • Assisting in establishing and maintaining a database on costs, demand characteristics and rates of companies for trend analysis, econometric analysis and special studies.
  • Assisting in preparation for staff participation in formal hearings before the Authority.
  • Developing and implementing formal research projects and assists in these activities on more comprehensive and complex research assignments.
  • Analyzing, interpreting and preparing data in a variety of ways. 
  • Preparing narrative and statistical reports.
  • Developing computerized databases and analyzing and interpreting computer generated reports.
  • Performing related duties as required.
This position will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT, with an opportunity for a hybrid teleworking schedule. The schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00am to 5:00pm.

About us
PURA is responsible for regulating the many aspects of Connecticut's utility sectors, which can be categorized into three key buckets:  
 
Accountability  
  • Ensuring that the utilities charge only fair and equitable rates; 
  • Implementing performance-based regulation of the state’s utility companies;
  • Overseeing investment in the state’s utility infrastructure to promote service quality, reliability, and safety; and
  • Implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety  
Sustainability  
  • Directing the design and implementation of multiple clean energy programs including, renewable energy deployment, electric vehicle charging, battery storage, and innovation pilots in pursuit of Connecticut’s climate and energy policy goals; and
  • Coordinating with diverse stakeholders including utilities, other state agencies, community advocates, environmental groups, developers, private industry, and citizens to ensure equitable and affordable access to all programs and services. 
Innovation  
  • Pursuing the prudent and innovative modernization of the electric, natural gas, and water systems through regulatory reform.  
The UPA Unit is one of six technical units within PURA’s TRA Office and is responsible for modernizing utility regulation and improving public utility performance.  Specifically, the Research Analyst will assist UPA in establishing a performance-based regulation (PBR) framework for the state’s electric distribution companies (EDCs). The PBR proceeding is a comprehensive review of Connecticut’s EDC regulatory approach with the potential to transform EDC incentives and business models to ensure alignment with the public interest and policy goals such as greenhouse gas emissions reduction and customer empowerment. Additionally, the Research Analyst will aid with implementation of key portions of Public Act 20-5, known as the “Take Back Our Grid” Act.
 
Key topics, programs, or decisions overseen by UPA include:  
• Modernized regulatory and ratemaking mechanisms; 
• Investigating innovative grid technologies for Connecticut; and
• Reviewing the state’s Renewable Portfolio Standard and retail electric supply.

DEEP is charged with conserving, improving and protecting the natural resources and the environment of the state of Connecticut as well as making cheaper, cleaner and more reliable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.
              
  

Selection Plan

Before you apply:
  • In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.
  • The minimum experience and training requirements must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
  • Ensure that your application is complete and detailed before submitting it. In order to comply with Public Act 21-69, the State of Connecticut is no longer asking for resumes during the initial application process. You will not be able to make revisions once your application is submitted into the JobAps system.
  • All application materials must be received by the recruiting agency by the time specified on the job opening for the position for which you are applying. Late applications may not be submitted and will not be considered. Exceptions are rare and limited to documented events that incapacitate a candidate during the entire duration of the job posting time period. It is the candidate’s obligation and responsibility to request an exception and provide a legally recognized justification to accommodate such exception. Requests should be made to DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
Important information for after you apply:
  • 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 questionnaire'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.
  • 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, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the discretion of the hiring agency.
  • The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
  • Read through this helpful link to prepare for your interview.
Questions about this position should be directed to Mackenzie Robinson at mackenzie.robinson@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in research design and implementation.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Develops and implements formal research projects and assists in these activities on more comprehensive and complex research assignments;
  • Analyzes, interprets and prepares data in a variety of ways;
  • Prepares narrative and statistical reports;
  • Develops computerized databases and analyzes and interprets computer generated reports;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Knowledge of
    • research methods and techniques;
    • statistics;
  • Skills
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to
    • analyze data;
    • develop programs and use prepackaged computer programs to perform data analysis;
    • understand agency related policies and procedures as they relate to research.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in research, data analysis or economics.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

  • 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.
  • A Master's degree in economics, statistics or a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
  • Successful completion of a Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A Bachelor’s degree in climate change, economics, engineering, environmental studies, finance, physics, political science, public policy, public utility management, renewable energy, statistics, sustainability, or urban studies;
  • An advanced degree in renewable energy, engineering, environmental studies, climate change, public utility management, finance, economics, or business administration.
  • Work experience in utility regulation, utility management, electric grid technology, or energy policy.
  • Experience working on utility grid modernization initiatives, deployment of clean and renewable energy programs, or climate change policy.
  • Experience writing technical reports, regulatory documents, white papers, position papers, policy papers, or academic articles for a general audience that provide conclusions or recommendations supported by documented evidence.
  • Experience conducting quantitative analysis using utility energy or economic datasets and synthesizing results. 
  • Experience with project management, working on more than 2 projects simultaneously, while adhering to deadlines.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications.

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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes.  As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.





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