STATE OF CONNECTICUT EXECUTIVE BRANCH JOBS

Associate Rate Specialist

Recruitment #240708-6762AR-001

Introduction


Looking to advance in your career?
Check out this opportunity with the State of Connecticut!

The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority has an exciting opportunity for a dynamic clean energy professional to join the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis as an Associate Rate Specialist, located in New Britain, CT.

POSITION DETAILS

The Associate Rate Specialist will support the Clean and Affordable Energy (CAE) Unit within the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis. This role offers a stimulating blend of project management and technical expertise, contributing directly to Connecticut's energy landscape and regulatory framework, with a focus on climate change and energy affordability. If you're passionate about impactful change in the energy sector, we encourage you to apply and join our dedicated team at PURA.

Responsibilities of this position may include:
  • Conducting technical and policy research and analysis on topics assigned to the CAE unit , related to meeting the state’s clean energy goals and the programs that fall under the Equitable Modern Grid framework including, but not limited to light-duty electric vehicle charging program, the medium-and-heavy duty electrical vehicle charging program, affordability programs, the energy storage solutions programs, among others; 
  • Acting as a project manager for discrete agency investigations;
  • Preparing formal written and statistical reports or other documents;
  • Researching and recommending utility performance metrics that promote affordability outcomes; methods of providing services more closely associated with cost and performance based rates; 
  • Preparing for staff participation in formal hearings before department.
The position will be hybrid with in-office attendance located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT. Schedule is 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm.

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU
We take part in a competitive benefits plan which includes:
  • NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Generous paid time off (vacation, sick and personal);
  • Excellent health, dental and supplemental benefits;
  • Eligibility to apply for Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program.
For an inside look at how State of Connecticut employees Make an ImpaCT, watch the video below!
 

Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full-time service or full-time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening.  You must specify your qualifications on your application. 

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:  Please read or watch our Applicant Tips on How to Apply!

To Apply:
• In order to be considered for this job opening, you must meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on this 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 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.
• For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• 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.

Should you have any questions pertaining to this recruitment, please contact Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Office of Consumer Counsel this class is accountable for performing as a specialist in complex cases pertaining to rates of public utilities companies and conducting complex investigations and mediation of disputes between claimants, consumers and/or public utility companies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

  • Performs the most complex related duties in conducting investigations, performing research work and analyzing rate structures and/or in response to consumer complaints and inquiries;
  • Holds hearings or formal mediation meetings pertaining to rate and/or service of electric, gas, cable television, water and sewage and telecommunications companies;
  • Develops administrative record of rate cases;
  • Testifies as an expert witness in court cases involving department;
  • Cross examines witnesses of utility companies;
  • Analyzes income statements pertaining to operating revenues and expenses of such companies;
  • Reviews and analyzes rate structures and bill frequency studies;
  • Performs special studies pertaining to rates, revenues and service;
  • Reviews and monitors various contracts of public utilities;
  • Establishes and maintains a database of public utility costs, demands, complaints, etc.;
  • Reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations;
  • Attempts to resolve disputes over rate and service issues;
  • Participates in drafting recommendations for department decisions;
  • Documents procedures;
  • May assist in training of lower level Rate Specialists and other staff;
  • Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

  • Considerable knowledge of and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines;
  • Considerable knowledge of
    • operational procedures of public utility companies;
    • principles and practices in field of rate making, rate structure design, rate cost analysis and allocation of revenues by classes of services including design and analysis of utility rates;
  • Knowledge of computer and statistical packages;
  • Considerable
    • interpersonal skills;
    • oral and written communication skills;
  • Ability to utilize computer software;
  • Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.

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 a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • A bachelor’s degree in economics, physics, finance, accounting, engineering, environmental studies, political science, or sustainability.
  • An advanced degree in engineering, renewable energy, environmental management, climate change, accounting, or economics.
  • Work experience in utility regulation, utility management, electric grid technology, or environmental policy.
  • Experience working on utility grid modernization initiatives, deployment of clean and renewable energy programs, or climate change policy.
  • Experience researching, designing and implementing initiatives addressing energy affordability
  • 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 energy, financial, or utility economic datasets and synthesizing results.
  • Experience with project management, working on 2 or more projects simultaneously, while adhering to deadlines.
  • Experience using Microsoft Office 365 applications.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

  • Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
  • Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

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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