Senior Utility Analyst

State of Indiana • Indianapolis, IN

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (IURC) assures that utilities and others use adequate planning and resources for the provision of safe and reliable utility services at reasonable cost. The Senior Utility Analyst monitors ongoing developments in economic, technology, and government policies that affect Indiana’s electric utilities, including activities at Regional Transmission Organizations and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. The Analyst will track, interpret, and share relevant information with the Commission, including the Chairman, Commissioners, Executive Director, and the Directors of Research, Policy, and Planning, as well as the Energy Division. In this role, the Analyst provides technical guidance on utility long‑term resource planning and distribution planning, with a focus on how these activities are influenced by Regional Transmission Organization planning processes and operations. The position requires participation in a wide range of stakeholder meetings, including Integrated Resource Plan public advisory sessions and individual meetings with specific groups. Because this is a public‑facing role, the Analyst must be comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders representing various organizations and possessing varying levels of subject‑matter expertise.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Power Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, or Statistics.
• Work experience related to electricity resource planning/operations or utility regulation.
• Familiarity with the operations of the Regional Transmission Organizations.
• Familiarity with Integrated Resource Planning, the components of the planning process, and the integration of those components to develop a long-term plan.
• Familiarity with FERC processes and procedures.
• Familiarity with FERC and other federal government policy initiatives involving the electric utility industry.
• Must demonstrate superior capabilities to communicate orally and in writing.
• Significant use and knowledge of various computer and technical resources.
• Able to perform essential functions with or without reasonable accommodation.

Nice To Haves

• A master’s degree or PhD is desirable, especially for non-engineers.
• Specialized training in any of the relevant areas such as forecasting, capacity planning, utility operations, transmission planning, distribution planning is desirable.
• Familiarity with various planning tools is desirable.

Responsibilities

• The application of economic, financial, accounting, and engineering methods / analysis to topics that effect the electric utility companies and retail customers in Indiana.
• Providing technical information and advice to the Commission on issues involving utility operations, distribution planning, long-term resource planning, and the evolving industry structure.
• Preparation of documents responding to FERC rulemakings, orders, filings at FERC by RTOs and utilities, and other federal policy actions affecting regional wholesale power markets.
• Preparation of written and oral updates to Commissioners, Executive Directors, Directors and other senior Commission staff regarding FERC, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and RTO issues, especially how these activities impact Indiana utilities and operations.
• Participation in IRP stakeholder and other related meetings both in person and via teleconference.
• Work closely with the Research, Policy, and Planning Division Director on Integrated Resource Planning activities with particular emphasis on expansion to include integrated distribution system planning and associated impacts on utility distribution operations.
• Working with the State Utility Forecasting Group.
• Prepare and present electronic presentations to Commission staff and outside utilities and related organizations.
• Help the RPP Division Director review IRPs submitted by utilities and prepare reports critiquing the methodology, data, and assumptions used by the utility to prepare its IRP.
• Help the RPP Director organize and host an annual IRP Contemporary Issues workshop for the purpose of encouraging continual improvement in IRPs, methodologies, and modeling techniques. Distribution planning and operations will be of growing importance given the increase in distributed energy resources and electric vehicles.
• Support the Commission in evaluating utility requests to acquire new resources to provide reliable, efficient, and cost-effective utility services.
• Participation in the review and analysis of alternative rate designs.
• Participation in the review and analysis of performance-based regulation and performance metrics.
• Participation in better understanding the load implications of electric vehicles, distributed energy technologies, increasing electrification of the economy, and large loads including data centers.
• Apply a broad analytical perspective of the energy utility transition in support of formal hearings before the Commission.
• Timely respond to requests from the Indiana General Assembly for information, briefings, and presentations.
• Assistance to other Divisions especially in matters that involve federal and RTO policies (e.g., demand response, long term resource planning, distributed resources, and environmental regulations).
• Working on state and federal legislation.
• Involvement with other state and federal agencies as required (e.g., Department of Energy, EPA).

Benefits

• Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
• Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
• Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
• Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
• Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
• A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to: 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
• Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
• Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
• 12 paid holidays, 14 in election years
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Group life insurance
• Referral Bonus program
• Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
• Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
• Free Parking for most positions
• Free LinkedIn Learning access

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior