Utility Regulatory Policy Analyst - Austin Energy

City of Austin•Austin, TX

6d•$96,180 - $123,100•Hybrid

About The Position

Austin Energy’s Utility Regulatory Policy Analyst researches, analyzes, and interprets regulatory and electric industry trends related to regulation of the electric utility industry in Texas, and evaluates the impacts of rate structures, regulations, and regulated-entity activities. The role plans, develops, and implements Austin Energy’s strategic plans and policies related to utility regulation in Texas. It coordinates and supports legislative strategies and regulatory activities and serves as a coordinator across Austin Energy and the broader Texas stakeholder community on ERCOT market and regulatory policy issues. The position aligns legislation and regulations with Austin Energy’s strategic plans and policies. The analyst works with regulatory filings, industry data, legislative and regulatory trends, economic analyses, and State regulatory proceedings. The role supports expert witnesses in contested cases and workshops before the State regulatory authority as needed. It has no supervisory or leadership responsibilities. This is a Critical Employee position; work may be performed at a designated work site or an alternate work location, and critical employees who can work at an alternate location are required to do so. Schedules may be modified and employees may be reassigned during extraordinary situations or emergencies to provide essential services. The position is based at 4815 Mueller Blvd., Austin, Texas. The regular schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; hours may change according to departmental needs and may include work after core hours, on holidays, and on weekends. Travel to multiple locations may be necessary as part of regular duties.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in business, economics, public affairs, or a utility regulatory process development field, plus three years of related work experience; a master’s degree may substitute for up to two years of experience.
Knowledge of regulatory processes at the State, Federal, and Local levels; revenue requirements; rate design; and rate filing requirements.
Knowledge of utility regulation issues.
Knowledge of municipal utility finance and accounting.
Knowledge of competitive business practices and analysis.
Ability to understand and implement performance-based measurements.
Ability to complete detailed analysis.
Ability to work independently and in teams.
Ability to review materials to be submitted for regulatory proceedings.
Skill in preparing and analyzing economic and statistical reports.
Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing.
Skill in using computers and related software applications.
Skill in preparing professional reports, papers, and articles for publication.
Ability to travel to one or more locations.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of legislative and regulatory processes at the State and Federal levels.
Basic understanding of revenue requirements, rate design, and rate filing requirements.
Knowledge of utility regulation issues and basic understanding of municipal utility finance and accounting.
Familiarity with ERCOT market rules and experience operating in the ERCOT stakeholder process.
Experience preparing legislative bill analyses on electric utility policy issues in Texas.
Experience preparing testimony for administrative hearings on electric utility issues.
Experience in rulemakings and administrative processes before the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

Responsibilities

Support legislative strategies to improve Austin Energy’s position in the electric industry, including analyzing and drafting legislative bills.
Review and analyze data related to utility operations.
Monitor and report on regulatory filings.
Analyze and monitor State and Federal regulatory and legislative trends as implemented throughout the electric industry.
Monitor and participate in meetings with industry, cooperatives, municipalities, new market entrants, and environmental and consumer organizations.
Monitor and participate in State regulatory processes, including rulemakings, contested cases, workshops, and projects.
Perform and review economic analyses of State and Federal operational and financial reports related to the electric industry.
Support expert witnesses in contested case proceedings and workshops before the State regulatory authority, as required.
Research regulatory-related issues, analyze strategic alternatives, and recommend strategic policy.
Plan, develop, and implement Austin Energy’s strategic plans and policies related to regulation of the utility industry in Texas.
Coordinate and assist with legislative strategies and regulatory activities across Austin Energy and the broader Texas stakeholder community.