Utility Analyst

State of Maine•Hallowell, ME

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) plays a pivotal role in shaping Maine's energy landscape. We are committed to serving the public interest by balancing access to safe and reliable utility services with rates that are just and reasonable for customers and public utilities, while minimizing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. We are seeking passionate professionals to join our Electric Division and help us tackle some of the most important issues facing this industry. If you have intellectual curiosity, a strong analytical mindset, and a passion for solving complex problems in a dynamic and collaborative environment, this is a great opportunity to contribute to a meaningful and impactful public service career. The Electric Division at MPUC is looking for people who thrive on critical thinking and evaluative analysis to help shape the future of Maine's energy systems. As a Utility Analyst at the MPUC, you’ll provide expert analysis, advice, and support to the Commission’s leadership on a wide range of electric regulatory matters. You will play a key role in investigating utility filings, conducting complex analyses, and helping to shape important decisions that affect the state’s energy future. This is not strictly a data-analytics role; instead, it’s about delving deep into utility cases and related matters, performing detailed analyses, and drawing actionable conclusions. Your role as a Utility Analyst will put you in the middle of critical energy discussions, where your work will have real-world consequences. Your efforts will help ensure the state's energy systems are reliable, sustainable, and affordable for consumers. We trust our analysts to take initiative, ask the right questions, and determine how best to approach complex problems. You’ll have the freedom to manage your own work within regulatory timeframes, exercise your judgment, and take an analysis from an initial question through to a clear, actionable conclusion. If you enjoy solving complex problems and digging into the details, this is a great fit.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in finance, economics, accounting, business, engineering, science, mathematics, or a related field.
Critical Thinking & Analytical Reasoning: Ability to break down complex issues, ask the right questions, and approach challenges with a structured problem-solving mindset. Ability to dissect filings, proposals and regulations, assess them from multiple angles, and draw actionable insights.
Skilled in the use of Excel or other modeling tools for managing and evaluating data related to regulatory filings and utility performance.
Attention to Detail: Keen eye for identifying discrepancies, inconsistencies, or overlooked details in filings, reports, or technical documentation. Demonstrate precision in work, ensuring thorough evaluations and well-supported recommendations.
Intellectual Curiosity: Natural inclination to dive deep into unfamiliar topics, seek out new information, and continuously learn. Comfort with ambiguity.
Clear and Effective Communication: Ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, both in writing and verbally. Ability to present analyses and recommendations to diverse audiences—both technical and non-technical—and to stakeholders who may have varying levels of understanding.
Proven Initiative: Takes ownership of work and is proactive in addressing challenges. Ability to initiate research, seek out solutions, and ask insightful questions.
Time Management & Organizational Skills: Ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects. Ability to work independently, stay organized, and meet internal and external deadlines across multiple assignments without compromising quality.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively both independently and in teams.

Nice To Haves

At least 3 years of relevant experience in the utility sector.
Expertise in utility ratemaking, or accounting, electrical engineering, or regulatory compliance.

Responsibilities

Evaluate Utility Filings: Review filings from electric and natural gas utilities, such as requests for rate changes, grid planning proposals, and interconnection requests. Assess these proposals for alignment with regulatory expectations, technical feasibility, and their impact on consumers.
Conduct In-Depth Analysis: Investigate complex cases by performing financial, operational, and/or technical evaluations to guide decisions on whether utilities are operating effectively and efficiently.
Review and Synthesize Information: Collect data from various sources, including utilities, to understand underlying issues and build a thorough case for regulatory action. Maintain detailed documentation of findings and reasoning.
Research & Application: Interpret and apply laws, regulations, and Commission precedent to analyses and recommendations.
Advisory Role: Provide clear and concise expert recommendations to the MPUC Commissioners, including drafting staff analyses and recommended decisions, as well as other legislative and policy reports that influence regulatory outcomes.
Collaborate with Stakeholders: Work alongside team members, external stakeholders, and utilities to gather insights and data, and to ensure that the regulatory process is thorough and well-informed.

Benefits

Hybrid Work Flexibility: Work remotely three days a week and spend two days a week in our office in Hallowell. (Must reside in Maine)
Professional Development: Access to ongoing training and growth opportunities to support career advancement.
Career Growth: Opportunities to advance to Analyst II and Senior Analyst positions.
Inclusive Culture: Work in a collaborative and inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are both necessary and valued.
13 paid holidays
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually (accrual increases with years of service)
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
12 days of sick leave per year
Health Insurance Coverage: The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums.
Health Insurance Premium Credit: Participation decreases employee-only premiums by up to 5%.
Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums.
Retirement Plan: The State of Maine contributes a percentage of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).
Gym Membership Reimbursement: Up to $40 per month.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program.
Living Resources Program: Employee assistance program.
Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child (including non-birthing and adoptive parents).
Additional, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation: Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account.