Job Details Working Title: Energy Forecaster Job Class: Public Utilities Rates Analyst 3 or 4 Agency: Commerce Department - Job ID: 97813
- Location: St. Paul
- Telework Eligible: Yes
- Full/Part Time: Full-Time
- Regular/Temporary: Unlimited
- Who May Apply: Open to all qualified job seekers
- Date Posted: 10/17/2026
- Closing Date: 11/02/2026
- Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit: Commerce Dept / Commerce-MAPE
- Division/Unit: Regulatory Analysis Section
- Work Shift/Work Hours: Day Shift
- Days of Work: Monday - Friday
- Travel Required: Yes - Up to 10% of the time
- Salary Range:
- PURA3: $34.07 - $50.53 / hourly; $71,138 - $105,506 / annually
- PURA4: $36.59 - $54.25 / hourly; $76,400 - $113,274 / annually
- Classified Status: Classified
- Bargaining Unit/Union: 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE
- FLSA Status: Exempt - Professional
- Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities : Yes
Job Summary Hybrid work schedule available, up to 50% telework depending on business needs. Telework can be outside of the state of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul.
Internal candidates should contact Human Resources with questions.
This position is being posted at two (2) job class levels: Public Utilities Rates Analyst 3 (PURA3) and Public Utilities Rates Analyst 4 (PURA4). Final job class will be determined based on successful applicant's qualifications.
Travel: This position will require 10% travel for out of state and in state meetings.
The Department of Commerce serves as the consumer advocate on a wide range of energy matters across Minnesota. This position supports the Division of Energy Resources Regulatory Analysis Section, with an emphasis on rate cases, energy and sales forecasting and modelling, and rate design. As a rates analyst, you will analyze proposals from utilities in Minnesota, conduct analyses, and write comments with recommendations for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission supported by technical analysis results. This position also serves as a technical expert in contested case proceedings and must be comfortable preparing testimony and testifying before an administrative law judge.
For both PURA3 and PURA4, responsibilities include: - Reviewing and analyzing energy dockets filed with the Public Utilities Commission.
- Conducting independent analyses.
- Drafting well-supported recommendations based on results of technical analyses.
- Assessing compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and Commission orders.
- Serving as a technical expert in contested case proceedings.
- Preparing testimony.
- Monitoring energy and best practices regionally and nationally.
- Helping develop policy positions in collaboration with internal and external partners.
- Briefing leadership.
Additional responsibilities for the PURA4 include: - Serving as a technical expert in contested case proceedings.
- Providing leadwork direction for junior-level staff and leading complex energy dockets and analyses necessary to advise decision makers in electric and gas rate cases as well as other energy dockets, as assigned.
Qualifications Minimum Qualifications At the PURA3 Level: Three (3) years of experience performing analysis, exercising judgment, and relying on knowledge in energy planning, environmental or energy policy, economic forecasting and modeling pertaining to energy generation, distribution, transmission or operations, energy project development, energy markets, or other energy regulation related fields.
A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Pre-Law, or related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.
An Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Law, or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience. Credit will be granted based on the highest degree earned.
Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:
- Experience writing regulatory, legal, or similar types of documents that advocate for a specific outcome before a decision-making body. (e.g. legal briefs, formal comments, testimony, technical reports, resolutions, environmental assessments, findings of fact, or administrative enforcement determinations).
- Written and oral communication skills to write and present findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders as well as working on interdisciplinary teams.
At the PURA4 Level: Four (4) years of experience performing analyses, exercising judgment, and knowledge in energy planning, environmental or energy policy,economic forecasting and modelling pertaining to energy generation, distribution, transmission, or operations, energy project development, energy markets, or other energy regulation-related fields.
A Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Pre-Law, or related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.
An Advanced degree in Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, Law, or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience. Credit will be granted based on the highest degree earned.
Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:
- Experience writing regulatory, legal, or similar types of documents that advocate for a specific outcome before a decision-making body. (e.g. legal briefs, formal comments, testimony, technical reports, resolutions, environmental assessments, findings of fact, or administrative enforcement determinations).
- Experience managing complex projects, leading teams, and providing direction and mentoring junior staff.
- Experience analyzing projects for compliance with applicable rules, statutes, and regulations.
- Written and oral communication skills to write and present findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
- Experience using software such as Python, Stata, EnCompass, EViews, or Plexos to conduct modelling and forecasting for gas and electric utilities.
Preferred Qualifications At the PURA3 Level:- Advanced degree in Law, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or a related energy field.
- Experience providing expert testimony or working on a contested case regulatory proceeding before a court.
- Knowledge of rate case structures, rate design, and energy policy.
- Experience advocating before decision-making bodies, such as, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Legislative Committees, or County Boards.
- Experience conducting modeling and forecasting for rate regulated gas and electric utilities.
At the PURA4 Level:- Advanced degree in Law, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Statistics, Mathematics, Electrical Engineering, or related energy field.
- Experience providing expert testimony or working on a contested case regulatory proceeding before a court.
- Knowledge of regional transmission planning, regional energy markets, or the regulatory landscape at the State, Regional Transmission Organization, and Federal Level.
- Experience advocating before decision-making bodies, such as, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Legislative Committees, or County Boards.
Physical Requirements Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.
Additional Requirements Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.
Application Details How to Apply Select "Apply for Job" at the top of this page. If you have questions about applying for jobs, contact the Careers Help Desk at 651-259-3637 or email careers@state.mn.us . For additional information about the application process, go to http://www.mn.gov/careers .
Contact If you have questions about this position, contact Human Resources at hr.commerce@state.mn.us or 651-539-1506 .
To receive consideration as a Connect 700 Program applicant, apply online, email the Job ID#, the Working Title and your valid Proof of Eligibility Certificate by the closing date to Human Resources at hr.commerce@state.mn.us .
