Regulatory Analyst 3

State of Washington • Thurston County – Lacey, WA

10d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is hiring an expert-level Regulatory Analyst 3 in the Energy Planning Section of the Regulatory Services Division. The position supports commission decision-making about investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, with particular emphasis on energy planning and the clean energy transition. The Energy Planning Section oversees seven electric and natural gas utilities serving approximately three million Washington customers, with annual revenues exceeding $4.5 billion. The successful candidate must reside in Washington State and be available to report to the UTC headquarters in Lacey when needed. Moderate travel, usually within Washington and sometimes to utility headquarters, may be required; occasional out-of-state travel and travel outside normal work hours may occur.

The analyst serves as a subject matter expert, conducting advanced research and analysis of complex utility filings and providing recommendations that balance the public interest. Topics may include clean energy planning and implementation, energy storage and emerging technologies, energy equity, transportation electrification, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and building electrification. Recommendations are communicated through written memoranda, commissioner briefings, public presentations, and written and oral testimony in formal adjudications, including general rate proceedings.

The role independently researches matters relevant to Washington utility regulation, drawing on commission orders, policy statements, industry trends, and developments across the United States. It also involves collaborative engagement with policymakers, agency leaders, commissioners, industry advocates, utility representatives, and other affected parties. The analyst leads teams and investigations, provides process guidance, contributes to or leads rulemaking, and represents the UTC in agency processes.

Requirements

• Advanced knowledge in at least one discipline such as engineering, physical or social sciences, statistics, economics, law, public utility regulation, public policy, or a closely related field.
• Extensive experience conducting research and analytical work involving regulatory, policy, financial, economic, legal, scientific, technical, or public administration matters.
• Highly proficient at evaluating quantitative and qualitative information, identifying trends and issues, drawing supported conclusions, and developing evidence-based recommendations.
• Advanced practitioner in interpreting and applying laws, rules, policies, procedures, or regulatory requirements.
• Ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing and verbally to diverse audiences in formal and informal settings.
• Strong ability to build and maintain productive, respectful, collaborative working relationships with stakeholders, partners, and coworkers.
• Consistent experience managing complex projects, assignments, timelines, priorities, or process-improvement objectives.
• Highly proficient in research, analysis, regulatory, policy, compliance, auditing, investigative, or closely related work.
• Analytical and critical-thinking skills, including synthesizing multiple forms of evidence, identifying gaps and connections, and assessing proposals in relation to workload and public interest.
• Ability to apply economic theory, accounting standards and principles, commission policy, legal precedents, administrative rules, and statutes to relevant matters.
• Clear, concise writing and the ability to translate technical concepts for nontechnical audiences; strong listening and audience-aware presentation skills.
• Inclusive and collaborative conduct, including respect for differing perspectives and equitable interactions with diverse communities.
• Leadership skills, including emotional intelligence, intellectual humility, composure, fair consideration of perspectives, and pursuit of compromise and collaboration.
• Project-management skills, including planning deliverables and timelines, clarifying roles, tracking progress and risks, and delivering quality work within time constraints.
• Ability to explain and teach analytical methods and recommendations to non-experts, adapting mentorship to the recipient.
• Ability to provide timely, constructive peer review in a respectful and accessible manner.
• Equity competencies: willingness to learn and grow, improve government programs and processes, and respond empathetically and flexibly to the needs of others.
• Must reside in Washington State and be available to report to the Lacey headquarters when needed.
• Must comply with the restriction on owning stock in or having a financial interest in a company regulated by the UTC; this restriction also applies to an employee's spouse.

Nice To Haves

• An advanced degree with major study in economics, accounting, business or public administration, finance, social sciences, engineering, law, or a related field.
• Expert proficiency in persuasive writing or writing for decision makers.
• Specialized experience writing administrative rules or participating in regulatory-agency rulemaking.
• Advanced proficiency with data analytics tools and methods, including organizing, mining, cleaning, and analyzing complex datasets; statistical modeling; and data visualization.
• Experience with Microsoft Power Query, Power BI, Power Automate, or energy-system modeling tools such as Plexos or Aurora.
• Experience performing regulatory analysis for Washington State government, including work equivalent to Regulatory Analyst 2 or higher.
• Experience applying quantitative, financial, economic, accounting, legal, engineering, or policy analysis to recommendations, regulatory decisions, operational improvements, or public-interest outcomes.
• Professional experience in regulatory or policy analysis, research, compliance review, financial or economic analysis, utility regulation or operations, or related analytical work in government, regulatory, legal, utility, or public-policy settings.
• Experience leading, coordinating, mentoring, or supporting teams, projects, or workgroups, including monitoring work and facilitating collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Research, analyze, and reach conclusions on complex and critical utility filings with significant potential impacts on consumers and utilities.
• Provide expert recommendations to support commission decisions on energy planning, implementation plans, and reports.
• Evaluate utility filings on subjects such as clean energy planning, energy storage, energy equity, transportation electrification, energy efficiency, distributed energy resources, and building electrification.
• Prepare formal written memoranda, commissioner briefings, public presentations, and written and oral testimony explaining staff analysis and recommendations.
• Independently research commission orders, policy statements, industry trends, and developments across the United States relevant to current and future proceedings.
• Engage collaboratively with policymakers, agency leaders, commissioners, industry advocates, utility representatives, and other affected persons and groups.
• Lead analyst teams assessing energy planning filings: identify and prioritize issues, coordinate with section leaders and attorneys, serve as a point of contact, keep team members informed, review analytical and written work, and write testimony summarizing staff positions or policy.
• Initiate and lead specialized investigations into utility business practices or regulatory issues; assess financial, qualitative, and quantitative impacts, identify root causes, and recommend resolutions to decision makers.
• Provide information and process guidance to utilities, utility customers, and other people or groups affected by commission decisions.
• Lead or participate in rulemaking teams and draft administrative rules to implement legislation, improve procedures, or replace outdated processes.
• Represent the UTC in agency processes, prepare fiscal notes on proposed legislation and workload impacts, respond to public-records requests, and attend required meetings.
• Plan, organize, lead, and execute projects and support collaboration, mentoring, and peer review.

Benefits

• Flexible work schedules and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Wellness programs.
• Medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance options for employees and their families.
• Enrollment in state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• At least 14 days of vacation leave per calendar year.
• 11 paid holidays and one personal holiday per calendar year.
• Accrued sick leave.
• Continuing learning opportunities and support for professional growth.
• Comprehensive benefits package.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: No Education Listed