PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATORY ECONOMIST I

The Maryland 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

 

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

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William Donald Schaefer Tower

6 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

Regulatory Economists perform economic and regulatory analyses, prepare testimony, conduct policy analyses, and undertake projects and studies for the Commission’s consideration to determine prices for electricity and related energy services. A Regulatory Economist works with a team of accountants, engineers, and attorneys to determine the recommended prices, policies or contract terms that an electric company will charge its customers for electric power. Regulatory Economists are expected to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Maryland’s electric utility sector, including financial and economic principles, regulatory and industry practices, business operations, legal environment, and customer behavior.

The primary duty of this position is to develop expert testimony as well as analytical and policy support to the Commission, directly or through the support of other division employees, in several areas including: electric power prices, energy markets and energy competition, renewable and distributed energy systems, the development of competitive energy markets, barriers to electric market competition and complaints of anti-competitive activities. 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.   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 Maryland’s energy markets. Strong writing and verbal communication skills are needed to perform the duties of this position.

Duties will include analysis of electric power prices, regulations or other topics as needed. A Regulatory Economist will prepare written reports, make presentations, testify on technical issues or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested proceedings. Primary duties for this position include analyzing utility rate applications and functioning as an expert witness on regulatory, economic, financial and other technical topics in proceedings before the Maryland Public Service Commission. In addition to the previously described traditional regulatory issues, a Regulatory Economist may have the opportunity 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 often research new technologies like photovoltaic solar power or battery storage that influence how electricity is provided to Maryland utility customers.

A Regulatory Economist will need 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 economic, engineering, financial, and legal topics is critical to the position.

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

Experience: Four years of experience performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically-based analysis.

Notes:

1. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Bachelor's degree in Economics, Engineering, Business, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or Mathematics from an accredited college or university for the required experience.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in accounting classification or accounting specialty codes in the accounting and budget group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience.

Experience working for a utility regulatory commission.  

Experience writing on technical or business topics

Experience using Microsoft Office suite.

Experience using Microsoft Excel to analyze data and perform calculations.

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

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 eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

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

 

Online applications are highly recommended. However, if you are unable to apply online, the paper application and supplemental questionnaire may be submitted to: Department of Budget and Management, Recruitment and Examination Division, 301 W. Preston St., Baltimore, MD 21201. Paper application materials must be received in our office by the closing date for the recruitment. No postmarks will be accepted.

For questions regarding this recruitment, please contact the DBM Recruitment and Examination Division at Application.Help@maryland.gov or 410-767-4850, MD TTY Relay Service 1-800-735-2258.

We thank our Veterans for their service to our country.

People with disabilities and bilingual candidates are encouraged to apply.

As an equal opportunity employer, Maryland is committed to recruitment, retaining and promoting employees who are reflective of the State's diversity.

For education obtained outside the U.S., a copy of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service must be provided prior to hire.