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PUBLIC SERVICE COMMISSION REGULATORY ECONOMIST I -II-III

Recruitment #24-000592-0001

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Introduction

The Maryland Public Service Commission (Commission) is seeking a Regulatory Economist to work in the Electricity Division and the Telecommunications, Gas and Water Division. The 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.

GRADE

17 (I)
18 (II)
19 (III)

LOCATION OF POSITION

William Donald Schaeffer Tower
6 St, Paul Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Main Purpose of Job

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, gas, and related energy services. A Regulatory Economist collaborates with a team of accountants, engineers, and attorneys to determine the recommended prices, policies, or contract terms that an electric, gas, water or telecommunications company will charge its customers for service. Regulatory Economists are expected to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Maryland’s utility sector, including financial and economic principles, regulatory and industry practices, business operations, legal environment, and customer behavior. 

POSITION DUTIES

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: 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 or TGW 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 and gas 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 climate and 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. Employees often research new technologies like photovoltaic solar power, battery storage, or hydrogen that influence how electricity and gas 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. The ideal candidate will have excellent written, verbal and presentation skills.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Public Service Commission Regulatory Economist I

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. 

Public Service Commission Regulatory Economist II 

Experience: 

Five years of performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically-based analysis, including one year of experience with a public service commission, consulting organization or regulated enterprise. 

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 and one year of experience with a public service commission, consulting organization or regulated enterprise performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically-based analysis for the required experience. 
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in Economics, Engineering, Business, Finance or a related discipline from an accredited college or university for the required experience. 
3. 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. 

Public Service Commission Regulatory Economist III 

Experience: Six years of experience performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically-based analysis including two years of experience with a public service commission, consulting organization or regulated enterprise. 

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 and two years of experience with a public service commission, consulting organization or regulated enterprise performing utility, energy policy, economic or econometrically-based analysis for the required experience. 
2. Candidates may substitute the possession of a Master's degree in Economics, Engineering, Business, Finance or a related discipline from an accredited college or university for one year of the required experience.
3. 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.

DESIRED OR PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Preferred Qualifications:

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.

LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS AND CERTIFICATIONS

(All levels)  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.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

State law prohibits employees in this classification from engaging in certain transactions with or having interest in public service companies which may fall under the purview of the Public Service Commission in accordance with Public Utilities Article, Sections 2-302 through 2-309, 13-101, 13-201, 13-204 and 13-207 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

SELECTION PROCESS

Only candidates who meet the minimum qualification will be evaluated for this classification. Please note that you will be required to provide proof prior to hire of all education, certifications, and work experience. For education obtained outside the U.S., you will be required to provide proof of the equivalent American education as determined by a foreign credential evaluation service.

Successful candidates will be ranked as Best Qualified, Better Qualified, and Qualified placed on the employment list for one year. This list will be used by the hiring agency to fill vacancies in these classifications only.

EXAMINATION PROCESS

The examination will consist of a rating of your education, training, and experience relating to the requirement of this job. The rating will be based on your application. Therefore, it is important that you provide complete and accurate information on your application. Report all experience and/or education that are related to this job.

BENEFITS

FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS

The online application process is STRONGLY preferred. If you are unable to apply online, you may mail a paper application to:

301 West Preston Street 
Suite 608
Baltimore, MD 21201

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing the online or paper application. 

For application inquiries, 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.



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