Director - Telecommunications, Gas and Water Division

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. 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. In supervising and regulating public service companies, the Commission considers:  (i) the public safety; (ii) the economy of the State; (iii) the maintenance of fair and stable labor standards for affected workers; (iv) the conservation of natural resources; (v) the preservation of environmental quality, including protection of the global climate from continued short-term and long-term warming based on the best available scientific information; (vi) the achievement of the State's climate commitments for reducing statewide greenhouse gas emissions; and (vii) the protection of a public service company's infrastructure against cybersecurity threats.

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. Also subject to the jurisdiction of the Commission are impacts on climate, gas and electricity supplier licensing and complaints, fees for pilotage services to vessels, and certain common carriers engaged in the transportation for hire of persons.

The Maryland Public Service Commission has a position available for the Director of the Telecommunications, Gas and Water (“TGW”) Division.

22

6 St. Paul Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21201

The Director performs economic and regulatory analyses, prepares testimony, conducts policy analyses, and undertakes projects and studies for the Commission’s consideration to determine prices and policies for gas, water, and telecommunications services. The Director supervises TGW Division Economists; this includes hiring, recruiting, conducting performance evaluations as well as leading or guiding Economists in the preparation of their expert testimony, comments, or other work assignments. The Director works with a team of Accountants, Engineers, Economists and Attorneys to determine the recommended prices, policies, or contract terms that a utility company will charge its customers for gas, water, or telecommunication service. The Director also guides the actions of the TGW Division’s Assistant Director (“AD”) and works with the AD to perform the duties required of the TGW Division. The Director is expected to develop and maintain a comprehensive understanding of Maryland’s natural gas, telecommunications, and water utility sectors, 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 in several areas including: natural gas and water prices, energy markets and energy competition, climate impacts, alternative forms of regulation, natural gas market transition, the development of competitive markets,  telecommunications, and complaints of anti-competitive activities. The Director will testify as an expert witness, make presentations, prepare written reports, research, or otherwise communicate the results of their analysis in both informal and contested situations. The Director will also represent the TGW Division or Technical Staff as a member off working groups 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 also include mentoring and training Regulatory Economists in performing similar tasks and managing the Division’s workflow, supervising Regulatory Economists, and editing and reviewing their work products.   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, the Director 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 gas industry transition, renewable natural gas development, telecommunication issues, water conservation, environmental protection, and Maryland's utility supplier diversity program. TGW Division employees often research new technologies as well as climate and energy policies like alternative fuels, energy conservation, or other technical developments to services provided to Maryland utility customers.

The TGW Director will be comfortable analyzing utility proposals for setting regulated prices and terms of service and writing recommendations about the disposition of those proposals.  Opportunities to work with other agencies and branches of State government and with industry stakeholders also arise regularly.

The position requires significant daily written work products of high technical quality. A successful candidate must have excellent written and verbal communication/presentation skills. An ideal candidate should have at least two years of experience in the regulatory, utility, renewable energy or energy services industries.

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

Experience: Three years of experience in the regulatory, electric utility, renewable energy, or energy services industries.

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.

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 working for a utility regulatory commission.  

Experience working in the Energy Industry.

Experience writing on technical or business topics.

Experience as an Expert Witness.

Knowledge of methods of financial analysis including DCF and CAPM.

Coursework in econometric or financial analysis, gas or water system engineering, applied mathematics, statistics, or related technical fields of study.

A graduate degree in economics, engineering, or public policy.

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 placed on the eligible (employment) list for at least one year.

The evaluation 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.

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.

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.