UTILITIES ANALYST

Description

State of Idaho Opportunity

Idaho Public Utilities Commission

Applications will be accepted through 4:59 PM MST on the posting end date. 

State of Idaho Employees: When searching for a new career within the state, browse and apply through Luma Opportunities. Applying through the State External Career website will cause duplicate profiles and will slow the processing of your application for a new job. Internal candidates should always use Luma Opportunities. 

The Idaho Public Utilities Commission has an exciting new opportunity for a full-time Utilities Analyst in Boise on the State of Idaho Chinden Campus, located at 11331 W. Chinden Blvd, Building 8. 

In addition to reviewing candidates for the minimum qualifications of the Utilities Analyst 1, the Commission will also consider candidates to start as a Utilities Analyst 2 if they meet the minimum requirements listed below.

The Commission regulates investor-owned or privately-owned utilities that provide gas, water, electricity, or some telephone services for profit as well as overseeing the safe operation of railroads and enforces state and federal regulations safeguarding the transportation of hazardous materials by rail. 

This position is eligible for the state benefits package, including: 

• Excellent low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Generous vacation and sick leave accrual beginning as soon as you start
• Eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF)
• Paid parental leave
• Eleven paid holidays a year
• Participation in one of the nation's best state retirement systems: PERSI
• Multiple retirement plans
• Life insurance
• Wellness programs; ongoing training opportunities; and more 

Summary:

The selected candidate will join the Utilities Division's Technical Analysis section. The Technical Analysis section is responsible for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of all Demand Side Management (DSM) resources, which includes energy efficiency and demand response. They review new and existing utility programs and track the impact on resource requirements and utility investments. They review utility forecasts of energy, water, and natural gas usage and will also participate in customer self-generation and rate design cases. The ideal candidate will have excellent analytical thinking, written, and communication skills.

Example of Duties: 
1. Formal case assignments. Typical responsibilities: analyzes utility company applications and financial schedules to determine probable effects on intervenors, petitioners, and rate-payers; defines issues to be addressed and plans investigation; researches, analyzes, and compiles statistical data for development of economic models and elasticity estimates; determines probability of company-proposed rates producing a predetermined level of increase; evaluates fairness and reasonableness of proposed rate structures; researches regulatory decisions and trends concerning issues in pending cases; evaluates service improvements likely to result from technological changes; evaluates cost responsibility for plant replacements/additions; conducts cost-of-service studies; designs alternative rate proposals and service options; negotiates settlement of key issues with utility managers and attorneys; constructs written testimony and exhibits; testifies during public hearings and defends testimony during cross-examination; formulates strategy and questioning for cross-examination of company's witnesses.

2. Program implementation, policy review, and complaint resolution. Typical responsibilities: designs and recommends procedures that companies should follow to comply with Commission rules and Idaho state law; analyzes proposed changes to tariffs for revenue effect, customer impact, changes in expense levels, and technical feasibility; identifies engineering problems in service-quality complaints; determines if tariff violations exist; mediates and negotiates resolutions of customer complaints; explains commission policy and history of previous commission action; analyzes appropriateness of utility separation of costs and revenues.

 Minimum Qualifications: 

Utilities Analyst 1 ($22.14 - $23.62):

This is the first level of a two-level series. Incumbents in this classification are at the training level for the Utilities Analyst 2 (anticipated underfill completion is 12 months).

 Good knowledge of:

• Electric, Natural Gas, or Water programs
• • Typically gained with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies, geosciences, business, economics, engineering, or a related degree with coursework in energy efficiency, sustainability, conservation, energy policy, public policy, or related coursework; OR at least one year of full-time work experience with a utility company, state agency, or related business evaluating electric, natural gas, or water programs.

Experience:

• Writing analytical or research reports
• • Typically gained by the completion of at least two upper-division college-level courses that involved writing analytical or research reports; OR at least one year of professional experience writing analytical reports or materials.
• Using computer software to perform mathematical forecasting and/or mathematical analyses
• • Typically gained by completion of coursework equivalent to one-semester course where a significant portion of the coursework required using software, such as Excel, to perform mathematical forecasting and/or mathematical analyses; OR at least one year of work experience where you were required to use computer models to perform mathematical forecasting and/or mathematical analyses.
• Making oral presentations before groups
• • Typically gained by completing two upper-division college-level courses that require regular oral presentations; OR at least one year of professional experience making oral presentations to varied groups.

Utilities Analyst 2 ($28.49 - $30.38):

Good knowledge of:

• Utility industry's services, operating characteristics, or engineering practices
• • Typically gained by at least one year of experience with a utility commission, utility company, customer group, or a utility stakeholder group with the responsibility of analyzing specific utility program operations; OR by taking a college-level utility related course.
• Utility rate structures and rate design practices
• • Typically gained by at least one year of experience with a utility commission, utility company, customer group, or a utility stakeholder group with the responsibility of analyzing specific utility program operations; OR by taking a college-level utility related course.

Experience:

• Interpreting and applying laws and regulations relative to utility regulation
• • Typically gained by at least one year of work experience reviewing information or documents for compliance with utility laws and regulations; OR explaining to others how laws and regulations apply specifically to the utility industry.
• Using computer models to perform mathematical analyses
• • Typically gained by the completion of coursework equivalent to one-semester course where a significant portion of the coursework required using computer models to perform mathematical analyses; OR at least one year of work experience where you were required to use computer models to perform mathematical analyses.
• Preparing detailed written reports of study findings and recommendations
• • Typically gained by approximately one year of experience preparing detailed written reports of study findings and recommendations.
• Making oral presentations before groups
• • Typically gained by experience making oral presentations to varied groups.

EEO/ADA/Veteran:

The State of Idaho is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, political affiliation or belief, sex, national origin, genetics, or any other status protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

The State of Idaho is committed to access and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, auxiliary aids and services are available upon request. If you require an accommodation at any step in our recruitment process, you are encouraged to contact (208) 334-2263 (TTY/TTD: 711), or email [email protected].

Preference may be given to veterans who qualify under state and federal laws and regulations.