PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATORY ECONOMIST I

The Maryland Public Service Commission has a position available for a PSC Regulatory Economist in the Electricity Division.

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William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, MD 21201

Regulatory Economists analyze applications and reports filed by electric utilities in order to change prices or terms for electricity or other services related to providing electricity. Typical analysis includes a review of calculations used to support new electricity prices, fees or terms of providing electricity service. After the Regulatory Economist completes the analysis, the matter is consulted upon with other members of the Commission's Technical Staff, including accountants, engineers and attorneys. After the matter has been fully developed, the Regulatory Economist presents the analysis as testimony, comments or reports. The presentation typically includes live testimony as an expert in the Commission's hearing room which is subject to cross examination by lawyers representing other parties to the proceeding or the Commission members.

The primary purpose of the job involves written and verbal communication as well as research and analysis. 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.

A Regulatory Economist may also represent the Electricity Division as a member of a working group tasked with developing rules, reports, agreements, or other tasks which support the Commission's role in Maryland's energy markets.

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, time-varying rates, 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, financial, and economic theory, and Maryland specific utility practices.  The ability to perform self-directed research of legal, economic, engineering, and financial topics is critical to the position.   The position requires significant daily written work products of high technical quality.  The successful candidate must have excellent written and verbal 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.

Familiarity with units of electrical energy and power.

Knowledge of power system designs, planning, and electrical distribution system technology.

The ability to perform calculations in utility bills, cost benefit analysis, and comparison of utility project costs.

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

Knowledge of methods of financial analysis including DCF and CAPM.

Familiarity with Microsoft Office. Applicants should know how to use Microsoft Word to prepare and edit written documents and use Microsoft Excel to analyze and perform calculations.

Experience writing on technical or business topics.

Strong writing skills.

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 one year.

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience related to the requirements of the position.  Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application.  Report all experience and education that is related to this position.

STATE OF MARYLAND BENEFITS

 

Online application process is STRONGLY preferred.  If you are unable to apply online, you may submit a paper application (received in our office 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.