The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable, and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental, and social values of our state.
The Fixed Utilities sections of the Commission includes economists, rate financial analysts, engineers and administrative support, supplemented by outside experts. The staff within these sections work together as a team to challenge, develop, present, and recommend complex economic, financial, engineering, and legal approaches in utility regulation. The staff functions both in uncontested proceedings as well as in formal litigated proceedings before the Commission. In performing these functions, the work unit must balance the need for financially healthy utilities with the needs of consumers for safe, reliable electric, gas, steam, water, or geothermal utility service at rates that are just and reasonable. An increasingly important function of the work unit is to assist in the evolution of new regulatory structures in the face of the new business environment brought about by an increased focus on consumer protection; emerging technologies and increasing competition in many areas of utility operations; emerging knowledge of environmental impacts and related costs of traditional utility services; and an increased legislative focus on energy and environmental policies.
Specifically, the Economics Section staff provides the economic expertise necessary to permit the PUC to carry out its statutory mandate to achieve a regulatory environment that provides safe, reliable, and quality services to electric, natural gas, steam, propane distribution, and water utility customers on just and reasonable terms. The economists provide analysis and examination of utility proposals and make technical and policy recommendations via testimony or advisory memoranda and briefings. The work unit involves in the application of financial and/or accounting standards, advanced economic analyses, and review of state and federal rules and regulations to analyze applications for rate establishment or changes in rates and terms of service by public utilities. The economics staff work as members of multi-disciplinary teams of accountants, financial analysts, statisticians, auditors, economists, engineers, etc. to analyze all aspects of rate requests or applications for utility programs and proposals or to perform investigations or audits.
Position: SGA 5067
The purpose of the position within the Economics Section is to provide the Commission with policy and/or technical recommendations, supported by economic analysis. These recommendations typically take the form of written and oral testimony (when in the role of trial staff or litigant) or advisory meetings and memoranda (when in an advisory role). This position primarily provides analysis on the issues of utility rate design, utility program design, and performance-based rate regulation (PBR).
The position reviews and evaluates utility filings in conjunction with other economists, senior economists, the economics supervisor, and the section chief of the economists to provide research support to the Economics Section; formulates recommendations and expert testimony resulting from a review of utility filings; and often serves as the staff lead in litigated proceedings before the Commission. The scope of the analyses includes consumer cost impacts, cost recovery methodologies, rate design, program design, and policy matters including consumer behavior response, as well as performing economic and financial studies for rate cases, other proposals, and evaluating potential alternatives. The position assists in the evaluation of large and complex data sets and conducts economic, statistical, and financial analysis related to public utilities. This position provides recommendations within the Economics Section and works with other professionals including engineers, economists, rate financial analysts, and legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General.
This position is often designated as “trial or litigation staff” given the adjudicatory nature of the Commission’s administrative law processes. The position examines and investigates the books and records of regulated utilities in order to verify that utility applications and tariff filings meet generally accepted regulatory practice as well as Commission standards; reviews the reasonableness of utility proposals; performs economic analyses as a basis for recommendations to approve, modify, or deny utility applications or tariff filings; and interprets and implements policies for utility cost recovery.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Reviewing and analyzing proposals from electric and gas utilities regarding utility rate designs, customer program designs, performance-based regulation, and other topics with an eye toward ensuring such proposals are in the public interest. The analysis often includes developing modifications or alternatives to these proposals;
Preparing and sponsoring accurate, thorough, concise, and understandable written testimony with evidence-based recommendations for the Commission’s consideration;
Providing live testimony in a courtroom-like setting before the Commission or an Administrative Law Judge. Testifying often entails defending positions and recommendations under cross-examination from other parties’ attorneys;
Collaborating with assigned lawyers from the Colorado Attorney General’s office on litigation strategy, identification of topics for cross-examination of other parties’ witnesses, hearing preparation, and the drafting of legal documents;
Negotiating settlements directly with representatives from utility companies, consumer advocates, environmental organizations, and other interested parties in order to develop mutually supported positions on various litigated issues;
Issuing formal discovery pursuant to the Colorado Rules of Civil Procedure in order to thoroughly assess proposals from utilities and other parties; and
Reviewing and analyzing utility filings for content, clarity, and compliance with Commission rules and regulations.
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in economics, public policy, public administration, business administration, statistics, mathematics, finance, engineering, accounting, law, or in a field of study closely related to the work assignment; and
Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional* experience conducting economic and financial analysis.
Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
A combination of professional* work experience as described above, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, will substitute for the bachelor's degree on a year-for-year basis;
A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the required experience on a year-for-year basis;
Certified Public Accountant (CPA) will substitute for one (1) year of the required experience.
*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications, and methods.
Preferred Qualifications:
A master's or doctorate degree in economics, public policy, public administration, business administration, statistics, mathematics, finance, engineering, accounting, or law;
Experience and/or knowledge and familiarity with national, regional, and state energy policy;
Experience working with electric or gas utility companies or the entities that regulate those companies;
Experience in project management, including organizational skills and prioritization and delegating of tasks to other team members;
Experience understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and providing recommendations on legislative and policy proposals;
Experience answering and asking discovery in potential litigated proceedings, performing analysis on key fundamental issues in those proceedings, developing written testimony, and defending a position under cross-examination in a courtroom-like environment.
Required Competencies: The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):
Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;
Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;
Demonstrated attention to detail in order to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and consistency of work product generated in the work unit;
Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to use inductive and deductive reasoning to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;
Demonstrated ability to lead projects and use prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;
Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet deadlines;
Confidence in decision-making, including the ability to determine appropriate recommendations;
Problem-solving skills, including the ability to develop options and solutions to policy-related questions posed to the Commission;
Demonstrated ability to conduct economic and financial analysis;
Ability to build consensus in a complex, high-pressured environment;
Interpersonal and customer service skills, including the ability to collaborate with interdisciplinary teams; and interact with various stakeholders such as consumers, leadership, and Commissioners;
Demonstrated understanding of quality customer service, including the ability to diplomatically deal with difficult customer interactions;
Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices, and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;
Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;
Ability to demonstrate expertise in front of authorities with ease, including presenting and defending well-researched positions and recommendations;
Ability to conduct research, including gathering pertinent information and data on existing and emerging matters;
Ability to weigh opinions diplomatically to present positions neutrally and accurately;
Flexibility and adaptability with regard to changing priorities;
Ability to constructively interact with experts with differing opinions or who challenge one’s own opinions;
Ability to research, summarize, and synthesize existing studies and reports on energy-related topics such as utility program design and performance-based regulation;
Self-motivated, self-starter, reliable, and accountable;
Demonstrated professional demeanor;
Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications, including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Docs, Sheets, Slides, etc.).
Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.
The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, etc.
The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.
Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify whether or not they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Employees who have not been fully vaccinated may be required to submit to serial testing in the future. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination. Vaccinated employees must provide proof of vaccination.
Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
