Senior Economist (Rate/Financial Analyst IV): DORA/Public Utilities Commission - Hybrid

The Fixed Utilities sections of the Commission includes economists rate / financial analysts engineers and administrative support supplemented by outside experts. The staff within these sections work together as a team to challenge develop present and recommend complex economic financial engineering and legal proposals regarding utility regulation. The staff functions both in uncontested proceedings as well as in formal litigated proceedings before the performing these functions the work unit must balance the need for financially healthy utilities with the needs of consumers for safe reliable electric gas steam water or geothermal utility service at rates that are just and reasonable. The work unit must assist the Commission in the evolution of new regulatory structures in the face of a changing business environment brought about by: increased focus on consumer protection; emerging technologies and increasing competition in many areas of utility operations; emerging understanding of environmental impacts and related costs of traditional utility services; and an increased legislative focus on energy and environmental policies.

Specifically the Economics Section staff provides the economic expertise necessary to permit the PUC to carry out its statutory mandate to achieve a regulatory environment that provides safe reliable and quality services to electric natural gas steam propane distribution and water utility customers on just and reasonable terms. The economists provide analysis and examination of utility proposals and make technical and policy recommendations via testimony or advisory memorandum and briefings. The work involves the application of financial and/or accounting standards advanced economic analyses and state and federal rules and regulations to analyze applications for rate establishment or changes in rates and terms of service by public utilities. Frequently the economics staff work as members of multi-disciplinary teams comprised of accountants financial and policy analysts engineers statisticians auditors lawyers and other economists to analyze all aspects of rate requests or applications for utility programs and proposals or to perform investigations or audits.

Position: SGA 5158

The purpose of the Senior Economist position within the Economics Section is to provide the Commission with economic analysis and policy and/or technical recommendations through advisory meetings or memorandum when in an advisory role or through written and oral testimony when in a trial staff advocacy or litigant role. This economic analysis focuses primarily on electric utility resource planning utility rate design revenue requirements and the allocation of costs across functional categories rate recovery mechanisms and rate classes. This positions purpose is to review and evaluate utility filings in conjunction with other Senior Economists and the Chief Economist to provide research support to the Economics Section to formulate recommendations and expert testimony resulting from review of utility filings and to often serve as the lead in litigated proceedings before the Commission. The scope of the analyses includes cost allocation consumer cost impacts alternative cost recovery methodologies cost and environmental assessment of generation resource options and other policy goals. This position performs economic and financial studies for revenue requirement cases rate design proposals electric resource plan proceedings other utility proposals and any potential alternatives. The position will assist in the evaluation of large and complex data sets and conduct economic statistical and financial analysis related to public utilities. This position may provide specific recommendations within the Section and work with other professionals including engineers economists rate financial analysts and legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General.

Duties include but are not limited to:

• Performing economic and financial analysis of utility proposals regarding revenue requirements rate designs electric resource plans and other utility proposals including evaluation of potential alternatives to the utility proposals;
• Evaluating large and complex data sets and conducting economic statistical and financial analysis related to public utilities;
• Developing written testimony providing specific recommendations to the Commission in a timely manner consistent with developed litigation schedules and statutory deadlines;
• Using economic analyses as a basis for recommending whether the Commission should approve modify or deny utility proposals;
• Working with other professionals within Fixed Utilities including engineers economists rate financial analysts and legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General;
• Serving as trial or litigation staff given the adjudicatory nature of the Commissions administrative law processes which includes developing litigation strategy and the scope of staff advocacy with guidance provided as necessary by the Section Chief;
• Participating in challenging and lengthy negotiations over potential settlements with utilities and other parties in order to potentially reach a compromise on issues; if a compromise cannot be reached the Commission often decides such complex issues through litigation;
• Examining and investigating the books and records of regulated utilities in order to verify that utility applications and tariff filings meet generally accepted regulatory practices as well as Commission rules.

There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience

Option 1: Experience

• Nine (9) years offull-time progressively responsible professional* work experience conducting economic and/or financial analysis.

Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience

• Associates Degree and Experience:Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associates degree in accounting business administration economics engineering finance mathematics public policy statistics or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Seven (7) years of full-time progressively responsible professional* work experience conducting economic and/or financial analysis.

• Certification registration or licensure related to the work assigned will count for one (1) year of the requirement.

OR

• Bachelors Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelors degree in accounting business administration economics engineering finance mathematics public policy statistics or a field of study related to the work assignment; AND

• Five (5) years of full-time progressively responsible professional* work experience conducting economic and/or financial analysis.

• Certification registration or licensure related to the work assigned will count for one (1) year of the requirement.

Document this experience in your applicationIN DETAIL as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS:

• Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree.A masters or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelors degree requirement.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion analytical skill judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating developing integrating applying and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelors or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore extend and use additional discoveries interpretations and application and to improve data materials equipment applications and methods.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated experience working in a government body conducting research and analyzing financial information to provide recommendations on program matters;

• Advanced degree in accounting business administration economics engineering finance mathematics public policy or statistics;

• Demonstrated professional* experience with the processes associated with formal litigation such as answering discovery questions developing written testimony and demonstrated ability to defend a position under cross-examination in a courtroom-like environment;

• Demonstrated experience researching summarizing and synthesizing studies and reports on energy technology regulatory or economic topics;

• Demonstrated professional* experience in understanding interpreting analyzing and providing recommendations on policy and legislative proposals;

• Experience gathering researching synthesizing and summarizing existing financial policy and/or technical studies including technological economic and policy changes impacting the cost of service of electric and gas utilities;

• Demonstrated professional* experience working with electric or gas utility companies or the entities that regulate those companies;

• Demonstrated professional* experience knowledge of and familiarity with national regional and state energy policy;

• Demonstrated experience working in the utility industry performing analytical work and/or preparing regulatory filings or working on energy policy;

• Demonstrated experience working in a state government position conducting energy policy analysis and/or policy analysis to ensure consumer protection.

Required Competencies:The following knowledge skills abilities and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):

• Demonstrated written communication skills including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear accurate and concise written manner;

• Demonstrated verbal communication skills including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;

• Demonstrated attention to detail;

• Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;

• Demonstrated interpersonal skills including the ability to lead projects and allocate resources effectively;

• Demonstrated prioritization skills including planning organizing tasks and managing work assignments;

• Demonstrated ability to research highly complicated/technical matters;

• Demonstrated time management skills including the ability to multitask to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;

• Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles practices andbehaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;

• Demonstrated ability to read understand interpret apply and explain laws rulespolicies and procedures;

• Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;

• Ability to travel independently including work in-office as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;

• Integrity and high ethical standards;

• Accountability reliability including attendance;

• Ability to maintain confidential controversial or sensitive information;

• Self-starter including the ability to work independently learn new processes utilizeown knowledge and that of the supervisor and complete work with minimal supervision;

• Demonstrated professional demeanor;

• Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Access Word Excel etc.) and Google Suite (Docs Sheets Slides etc).

Conditions of Employment:Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.

• The successful passing of a reference check and/or if required a background check.

  • A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance a review of the personnel file a review of the performance record a review of job-related public informationetc.

  • The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position and can include a review of any criminal record credit report and/or driving record.

• Ability to travel independently including work in-office as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.

Veterans Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans Preference should attach a copy of their DD214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

PLEASE NOTE:Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness. Failure to include the required information failure to follow instructions and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness.

The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do including hiring employment and advancement opportunities.

While a salary range is posted for this position an eventual salary offer is determined by a comprehensive salary analysis which considers multiple factors including but not limited to education and experience compared to others in the organization doing substantially similar work.

Appeal Rights:

If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email US Mail faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the departments action.

For more information about the appeals process the official appeal form and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1 State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Directors Administrative Procedures Chapter 8 Resolution of Appeals and Disputes at under Rules.