Lead Rate Specialist

Introduction

Do you have professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters? If so, we invite you to check out this opportunity with the State of Connecticut!

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), has a current opening for a Lead Rate Specialist in the Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy unit based in New Britain, CT.

The Bureau of Energy and Technology Policy (BETP) is charged with developing policies and programs to establish a clean, economical, resilient, and reliable energy and technology future for all residents. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in rebuilding Connecticut’s economy and creating jobs – and to fostering a sustainable, equitable and prosperous economic future. BETP manages and implements local, state, regional, and federal energy and broadband policy and programs for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP).

WHAT WE CAN OFFER YOU

• NEW: Visit our State Employee Benefits Overview page!
• The opportunity to work for a Forbes top company: 'Forbes' State of Connecticut Ranked One of the Best Employers of 2023 - State of CT Receives National Recognition for Offering Job Growth, Competitive Benefits, and Flexible Schedule.
• Professional growth and development opportunities.
• A healthy work/life balance to all employees.

Our state has a lot to offer - from fun activities for all ages, to great food and shopping, to beautiful state parks and forests, to our diverse cultures and rich history. Connecticut is a great place to live! Learn more about Connecticut here.

POSITION DETAILS
This is a full-time position that will work first shift, 40 hours per week, on a Monday to Friday schedule with telework available.

As an employee of BETP, you will be assigned to work within its Office of Federal and Regional Energy Policy (OFREP) to help lead BETP’s advocacy and engagement efforts relating to the region’s wholesale energy and transmission policies and practices. You will be tasked with engaging in various forums to address affordability and to ensure that infrastructure needed to meet the state’s energy goals (e.g., affordable, reliable, clean) is developed and sited in the most cost-effective ways. This will include participation in the New England Power Pool stakeholder process, ISO-New England market and planning reform efforts, and proceedings of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. You may also be asked to engage in state-level proceedings that have a bearing on meeting these state goals. The Lead Rate Specialist will also be responsible for leading technical staff in OFREP while also leading and project managing multi-office team projects, including but not limited to rate design and other affordability-related efforts. In all areas, equitable policy and program design and inclusive processes for public input are prioritized.

BETP is a collaborative work environment with a team-based approach to most projects. As a Lead Rate Specialist, you will lead or contribute to research, writing, and public engagement projects that increase in complexity over time as you develop your skills and experience based on training and feedback from managers.

ABOUT US
CT DEEP is charged with conserving, protecting, and improving Connecticut’s natural resources and environment as well as making clean, reliable, and affordable energy available for the people and businesses of the state. The agency is also committed to playing a positive role in supporting economic development and job creation in Connecticut as well as fostering a sustainable and prosperous economic future for the state.

For an inside look at how State of Connecticut employees Make an ImpaCT, watch the video below!

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Reference Library for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the ‘Apply’ or ‘Apply Online’ buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire’s expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).
• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Jake Ferrari at jake.ferrari@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection this class is accountable for conducting the most complex investigations and research work pertaining to rates of public utilities, researching and investigating the most complex consumer inquiries and complaints, analyzing rate structures for the most complex cases and also acting as a working supervisor and/or team leader for professional technical staff on assigned rate applications and other proceedings.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Performs the most complex duties in investigating and researching rates of public utilities and analyzing rate structures;
• Leads and/or supervises teams of professional technical employees on assigned rate applications and other cases;
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work of assigned case teams;
• Participates in hearings pertaining to rates and revenues or consumer service of electric, gas, cable television, water and sewage and telecommunications companies;
• Testifies as an expert witness in court cases involving department and may serve as an expert witness in departmental hearings;
• Cross examines witnesses of utility companies;
• Analyzes income statements pertaining to operating revenues and expenses of such companies;
• Reviews and analyzes bill frequency studies;
• Performs special studies pertaining to or impacting on rates and revenues;
• Reviews and monitors various contracts of public utilities;
• Establishes and maintains a database of public utility costs, demands, customer complaints, etc.;
• Reviews rate and tariff schedules for compliance with regulations;
• Reviews utility compliance with department decisions;
• May act in place of supervisor in that person's absence;
• Performs related duties as required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of
  • and ability to apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes and regulations;
  • and ability to interpret public utility regulations and guidelines;
  • business practices and operational procedures of public utility companies;
  • principles and practices in field of rate making, rate structure design, rate cost analysis and allocation of revenues by classes of services including design and analysis of utility rates;
  • methods and procedures for conducting public utility investigations regarding consumer complaints;
• Knowledge of
  • revenue audits and revenue allocation procedures;
  • computer and statistical packages;
• Considerable
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Ability to utilize computer software;
• Supervisory ability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Eight (8) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been in an advanced working level capacity.

NOTE: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of an Associate Rate Specialist.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience in state utility regulation;
• Experience in New England regional energy markets and processes including the New England States Committee on Electricity, the New England Power Pool, ISO-New England, and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission;
• Experience with energy policy documents, including drafting decisions, policy documents, and briefs;
• Experience with cost-of-service ratemaking;
• Experience reviewing and analyzing information provided by public utilities;
• Project management experience, including serving as primary lead on projects;
• Experience conducting research on energy regulatory issues at the state and federal level;
• Experience independently developing technical written work product on energy topics;
• Experience communicating and coordinating with employees of other state energy offices or utility regulatory offices;
• Experience working on technical projects with a team; and
• Experience orally communicating energy topics to audiences with different levels of knowledge and exposure to these topics.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.