Introduction

The State of Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is recruiting for a Rate Specialist.

Position Highlights:

• The position is hybrid with office located at 10 Franklin Square, New Britain, CT.
• The position is for 40 hours per week, Monday-Friday, between the hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.

The Role:
The Rate Specialist performs a wide range of tasks such as conducting independent studies, analysis and research of the activities of electric, natural gas, water, telecommunication, and cable television companies to verify that their rate structures comply with the allowed revenues, improve rate design, review and resolve rate and revenue allocation disputes between claimants, and assist in the examination and investigation of complex utility matters.

Examples of Duties:

• Performs economic analysis related to rate designs and their effects on utility customers;
• Reviews and analyzes bill frequency and cost of service studies;
• Reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations, findings and orders;
• Studies and recommends methods for providing utility services that are mostly aligned with cost-based rates;
• Analyzes income statements of utility companies for allocations of revenue and expenses among customers and rate classes;
• Draft discovery questions;
• Participates in hearings involving rates and revenues;
• Cross examines witnesses of utility companies and other participants;
• Reviews utility companies' compliance with PURA decisions;
• Assists in developing administrative record of rate proceedings;
• Assists in drafting clear and evidence-based recommendations to support the agency decisions;
• Reviews, evaluates, and reports on technical studies and actions taken by regulatory and legislative agencies that impact policies and practices of utility companies;
• Participates in investigations and audits of regulated electric, gas, water, and telecommunications utilities;
• Assists in the analysis and resolution of complex disputes concerning rates and service;
• Performs related duties as required.

About PURA:
The Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) is charged with overseeing Connecticut's investor-owned utilities to ensure safe, reliable, affordable, and environmentally responsible service across the electric, natural gas, water and telecommunications sectors.

PURA is a quasi-judicial agency that interprets and applies state utility laws, sets rates, advances grid modernization, regulates markets, ensures infrastructure safety and supports consumers through oversight, education and system planning.

The Rate Specialist position is in the Revenue Requirement Unit (RRU) within the Office of Technical and Regulatory Analysis (TRA) within PURA.

The RRU oversees all financial and accounting evaluations of Connecticut's regulated utility companies to ensure that they are operating efficiently and prudently. The RRU leads in all rate case proceedings and works closely with other TRA units on overlapping rate and revenue issues. Financial and accounting related cases managed by the RRU include applications to amend current rates and revenues, long-term debt issuances/refinancings, land sales, applications for changes of control involving mergers and acquisitions of regulated utilities, small water system acquisitions, and several periodic or annual rate and revenue reconciliation mechanisms.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing [email protected].
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Brianna Linehan at [email protected].

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in conducting studies, analysis and research on the activities of electric, gas, water, telecommunications and cable television companies for the purpose of verifying rate structures in accordance with revenue allowed and improving rate design and investigation and mediation of disputes between claimants, consumers and/or public utility companies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Schedules and performs studies and analyses of various companies under departmental jurisdiction;
• Studies and recommends methods of providing services more closely associated with cost based rates;
• Assists in establishing and maintaining a database on costs, demand characteristics and rates of companies for trend analysis, econometric analysis and special studies;
• Provides specification for computer models for use in econometric analysis and studies associated with rate structure and allocated cost of service;
• Reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations, findings and orders;
• Assists in preparation for staff participation in formal hearings before department;
• Reviews, evaluates and reports on technical papers, actions taken by regulatory or legislative bodies and other developments which have a bearing upon policies and practices of regulated companies;
• Performs economic analysis in area of rate structure design and impact on consumer;
• Independently reviews individual consumer complaints, prepares reports of rate and policy review work, examinations and investigations;
• Participates in investigations or examinations of complex complaints and/or filings;
• Attempts to resolve disputes over rate and service issues;
• Participates in drafting recommendations for department decisions;
• Documents procedures;
• May cross examine witnesses of utility companies;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Knowledge of
  • and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines;
  • principles and practices of rate structure design;
  • economic, financial and statistical methodologies used in analyzing rate structure;
  • business practices and operational procedures of public utility companies;
  • methods and procedures for conducting investigations and examinations;
  • computer and statistical analytical packages;
• Skills
  • oral and written communication skills;
  • interpersonal skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Six (6) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree or higher in business management, economics, or energy policy.
• Experience interpreting utility regulations and statutes.
• Experience developing utility rate revenue requirements and customer retail rates including fixed demand charges.
• Experience in economic modeling and research, and analysis of financial statements.
• Experience writing reports, memos, and communicating in person and on the phone with internal and external participants.
• Experience with Microsoft 365 such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and Outlook.
• Experience working on two or more projects and meeting the expected timelines.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Conclusion