Regulatory Consultant Principal - Staff (Utility)

American Electric Power•Austin, TX

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Regulatory professional who possesses extensive technical knowledge for the business functions supported, and regulatory knowledge to demonstrate proficiency in the application of theory to analyze and solve well-defined problems with very limited guidance from higher level personnel. Developed working knowledge of state or federal regulation standards, codes, concepts, systems, and business processes relevant to work assignments. Guides work groups to address complex problems or perform analysis to accomplish work plans initiated by various governmental agencies for rate cases, recovery clauses, audits, compliance filings, policy matters, and/or other proceedings. Provides high value input for corporate and business unit regulatory strategy development and coordination, and support for recommended negotiation strategies. Possesses an extensive knowledge of developments, procedures and current events affecting regulatory activity, and provides facilitation of the implementation in the needed areas of change. With extensive level regulatory knowledge, educates others on interrelationships between cost drivers and revenue.

Requirements

Regulatory Consultant Staff: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university AND 8 years relative field, operations or analytical experience OR associate's degree from an accredited college or university AND 12 years relative field, operations or analytical experience OR High School diploma or GED AND 14 years relative field, operations or analytical experience.
Proficiency with spreadsheets is required.
Proficient oral and written communication skills, including the ability to articulate strategy and provide guidance to management and witnesses on case, are required.
Must possess analytical problem-solving skills.
Required to work mandatory ”on-call” requirements over weekends, holidays, vacations, etc. as necessary to meet regulatory requirements, including filing dates required by the Company or as imposed by an applicable regulatory Commission.
Occasional travel will be required, such as: to attend or testify at hearings, to support witnesses at hearings, to participate in Commission Staff and/or stakeholder meetings/events, to advocate the Company’s position in various federal, regional, or state venues, to attend training, etc.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree is preferred.
Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor, Professional Engineer, or similar Certification/license is preferred.

Responsibilities

Be first point of contact for regulators, peer utilities’ regulatory personnel and other stakeholders. Ensures smooth flow of information between SWEPCO regulatory agencies and industry stakeholders.
Develops testimony, responds to discovery requests, responds to audits and participates in witness preparation.
Works independently, with guidance only in the most complex matters, to prepare and present of complex regulatory subjects and strategies in a clear, concise and effective manner to management and/or regulatory bodies; demonstrates a developed knowledge of the network channels within the company, other companies, professional organizations, and regulatory agencies.
Facilitates work activity of others to perform regulatory tasks, such as developing direct and rebuttal testimony, responding to discovery requests, responding to Commission audits, witness preparation, etc.; facilitate organizational unit activities related to specific, unique and/or highly specialized areas of regulatory practice; promotes professionalism and standards, influences the direction of thinking through the organizational unit as a recognized authority; and operates with no supervision in a complex environment.
Expert level knowledge of regulatory matters for the applicable regulatory function performed. Regulatory matters include, but are not limited to: economic and legal foundations of regulation; the federal and state regulatory commission structures, processes, and roles; utility ratemaking and rate design; Independent System Operators (ISOs), Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs), and competitive wholesale markets; industry restructuring and deregulation; federal reliability compliance obligations; federal and state environmental compliance; and current legislative and regulatory policy issues impacting electric utilities.
Interpret regulatory needs and implements projects and process work by establishing measurable goals, objectives and requirements relative to a specific area of responsibility; addresses company system-wide issues within specialized field of expertise; and reviews planned work of others.
Anticipate, identifies, clarifies, resolves and initiates solutions to internal and/or external unique and specialized problems that sometimes involve analysis of inadequate or conflicting data; and facilitates the development of opportunities, new ideas and approaches that have system-wide impact.
Make complex decisions based on calculated risk and be held accountable for these complex decisions; has a very strong knowledge of the impact of the decisions made on other organizational units internal and external of the company; possesses expert knowledge to defend decisions that are made in the interest of the company; and demonstrates the ability to extrapolate beyond known facts to reach a logical conclusion.
Participate and/or lead in the use and development of moderately complex analytical tools to support regulatory planning and regulatory filings.
Proficiently utilize analytical tools and data management skills to provide actionable recommendations for regulatory planning and regulatory filings.
Consult with others to understand, identify, prioritize and develop actionable recommendations.
Develop and present analysis and solutions that support strategic initiatives.
Consult and collaborate with IT and others to optimize the use of tools and analysis.
Other duties as assigned.