PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATORY ECONOMIST I

The 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.

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William Donald Schaefer Tower

The primary duty of this position is to provide expert testimony as well as analytical and policy support to the Commission, directly or through the support of other division employees, in one or more of the following areas: rate design, cost allocation and cost of service studies, tariff terms of service, energy markets and energy competition, renewable and distributed energy systems, monitoring the development of competitive energy markets, investigating barriers to competition and complaints of anti-competitive activities.

Duties will include analysis of rates, tariff language, industry structure, regulations, and other topics as needed.  Employees will testify as expert witnesses, make presentations, prepare written reports or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested situations.   

In addition to the previously described traditional regulatory issues, employees may be required to participate 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 and Maryland's utility supplier diversity program.  Electricity Division employees are frequently required to research new technologies like photovoltaic solar power or battery storage that influence how electricity is provided to Maryland utility customers.

 

Employees will be required to develop a firm knowledge of power industry issues, legal and economic theory, and Maryland specific utility practices. 

 

The position requires significant daily written work products of high technical quality.  The successful candidate must have excellent written and oral communication/presentation skills.

 

Education: A bachelor's degree in Economics, Engineering, Business, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or Mathematics from an accredited college or university.

Experience: None

Notes:  1. Additional experience performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically based analysis may be substituted on a year-for-year basis for the required education.

2. 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.

Experience in rate design, utility cost of service studies, and cost of capital analysis;

Electric power industry knowledge;

Coursework in econometric or financial analysis, electrical power engineering, applied mathematics and statistics, or related technical fields of study;

Experience working in a regulatory, engineering, or research capacity for an electric or gas utility company or for a public utility regulatory agency (include contractual or consulting work);

Experience testifying (under oath in a litigated proceeding or in a legislative hearing) as an expert witness on matters relating to electric or gas utility rates, finances, cost allocation or reliability.

Employees in this classification may be assigned duties which require the operation of a motor vehicle. Employees assigned such duties will be required to possess a motor vehicle operator's license valid in the State of Maryland.

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 ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, or Qualified and placed on the employment (eligible) list for at least one year.     

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must accompany the application. 

The assessment 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. 

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If the online process is not available, you may submit a paper application (by the closing date) to:

Department of Budget and Management

Recruitment and Examination Division

301 West Preston Street, Room 608

Baltimore, Maryland  21201

Should additional information regarding this recruitment be required, please call 410-767-3386.

TTY Users: call via Maryland Relay

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruiting, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State’s diversity. People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply. We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.