Rate Specialist

State of Connecticut•New Britain, CT

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

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

Requirements

Six (6) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.
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
Oral and written communication skills
Interpersonal skills
Ability to utilize computer software

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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
Schedules and performs studies and analyses of various companies under departmental jurisdiction
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
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