Job Description
JOB
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONRespect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.Policy AdvisorsHelp protect the consumers of Washington state! The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $90,000 - $110,000 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary for the individual once employed. This recruitment is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2024, and weekly thereafter. It is in your best interest to submit your application materials as soon as is possible to be included in the first screening. UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. The Opportunity: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill multiple Energy Policy Advisor positions and one (1) Energy & Accounting Policy Advisor position to provide accounting, policy, technical, and economic analysis in contested cases and other matters before the commission or concerning pending legislation and emerging policy issues.Hybrid: Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbents must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed. Travel: While primarily local for meetings, travel throughout the Pacific Northwest region may be required during and outside business hours to meet agency needs. This includes occasional overnight stays. Who We Are: Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, reliable, and fairly priced. We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington state. We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency’s success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website. What We Offer Our Employees: UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve. We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan. Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The Position: Reporting to the Policy Director, the Policy Advisors provide analysis and decision-making advice to the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), and other stakeholders on issues related to regulated utilities, including rate cases, clean energy, energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy, energy reliability and security, and other emerging and increasingly technical and challenging issues. What you’ll do: Using quantitative and economic analysis, you will perform forward-looking research and analysis of state, regional, and national energy policies pertaining to matters that affect regulated utilities and their consumers. The analysis and recommendations of the policy advisors are often incorporated into final written orders of the commission, which have statewide impacts on businesses and consumers, and may involve participants with diverse interests. In the context of formal adjudications, policy advisors make recommendations on traditional and performance-based ratemakings, policy positions, strategies, or decisions in meetings, briefing memoranda, and draft orders to the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, other policy team members, and ALJs. Prepare recommendations after independently reviewing and analyzing testimony, exhibits, or pleadings in the proceeding. Incorporate feedback and coordinate with other members of the policy advisory team. Make recommendations that require being addressed through the pro-equity, anti-racism (PEAR), and energy justice lens. Positions also participate in legislative activities such as performing bill analysis, reviewing fiscal notes, contributing to the development of recommended commission positions on proposals, drafting proposed bill amendments, and providing technical assistance to key decision makers. In addition, accounting advisors review and evaluate regulatory accounting issues on matters before the commission, addresses the proposed results of operations, determines the company's rate base, adjusts these for restating actual and pro forma adjustments in accordance with accepted regulatory theory and commission precedent. This position compiles and distills data, prepares spreadsheets, models and other materials, comparing the similarities and differences between the parties' positions to assist the presiding ALJ and other stakeholders in understanding the accounting issues and ultimately the rates in contested cases. Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following: Identifies energy industry trends and evaluates new technologies, policy directions, and emerging challenges and opportunities.Develops effective strategic proposals and responses to allow the agency to address trends, new policy directions, and emerging issues in energy-related policies with progressive regulatory tools. Analyzes utility Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), Clean Energy Implementation Plans (CEIPs), Integrated System Planning (ISP) and other required components of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), as assigned.Prepares analysis and/or reviews written analysis of IRPs and/or ISP prepared by other staff members.Develops and implements strategies to coordinate policy development and implementation with other states, other state agencies, and the Governor’s office.Communicates effectively and maintains excellent working relationships with the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, Policy Director, ALJs, other policy staff, commission staff, regulated companies, industry representatives, and other interested parties to ensure the commission is engaged on issues related to the agency mission.At the agency and division levels, engages in training and actively participates in efforts to promote energy justice, anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY: This position is included in the Washington Management Service (WMS) and covered under civil service rules. This position is exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.How to Apply: If you’re interested in joining our Team, please read the instructions below carefully; click “Apply” at the top of the page to begin the process. Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted with you application: Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process. Please note: a resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. For more information about the UTC, please visit: www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautcThe State of Washington: http://access.wa.gov
WASHINGTON UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION COMMISSIONRespect. Professionalism. Integrity. Accountability.Policy AdvisorsHelp protect the consumers of Washington state! The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $90,000 - $110,000 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary for the individual once employed. This recruitment is open until filled. The first review of applications is scheduled for Monday, November 4, 2024, and weekly thereafter. It is in your best interest to submit your application materials as soon as is possible to be included in the first screening. UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time. The Opportunity: The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill multiple Energy Policy Advisor positions and one (1) Energy & Accounting Policy Advisor position to provide accounting, policy, technical, and economic analysis in contested cases and other matters before the commission or concerning pending legislation and emerging policy issues.Hybrid: Although this is a hybrid opportunity, the successful incumbents must reside within Washington state and must be available to report to the Lacey, Washington headquarters building when needed. Travel: While primarily local for meetings, travel throughout the Pacific Northwest region may be required during and outside business hours to meet agency needs. This includes occasional overnight stays. Who We Are: Our mission is to protect the people of Washington by ensuring that investor-owned utility and transportation services are safe, equitable, reliable, and fairly priced. We protect consumers by regulating the rates, services, and practices of private or investor-owned utilities and transportation companies to ensure they are safe, equitable, reliable, and affordable. The UTC is continually recognized for its excellence and integrity as a regulatory agency, as we challenge the status quo and ourselves to ensure equitable outcomes for our customers and the people of Washington state. We recognize that our employees are the key to the agency’s success. We are committed to our work but value balance with our personal lives. We demonstrate our commitment to employees by providing an environment that stimulates professional growth, and offers continuing learning opportunities, meaningful work, and a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits or working at UTC, please visit our website. What We Offer Our Employees: UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve. We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance. We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan. Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.
EXAMPLE OF DUTIES
The Position: Reporting to the Policy Director, the Policy Advisors provide analysis and decision-making advice to the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, Administrative Law Judges (ALJs), and other stakeholders on issues related to regulated utilities, including rate cases, clean energy, energy efficiency, conservation, renewable energy, energy reliability and security, and other emerging and increasingly technical and challenging issues. What you’ll do: Using quantitative and economic analysis, you will perform forward-looking research and analysis of state, regional, and national energy policies pertaining to matters that affect regulated utilities and their consumers. The analysis and recommendations of the policy advisors are often incorporated into final written orders of the commission, which have statewide impacts on businesses and consumers, and may involve participants with diverse interests. In the context of formal adjudications, policy advisors make recommendations on traditional and performance-based ratemakings, policy positions, strategies, or decisions in meetings, briefing memoranda, and draft orders to the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, other policy team members, and ALJs. Prepare recommendations after independently reviewing and analyzing testimony, exhibits, or pleadings in the proceeding. Incorporate feedback and coordinate with other members of the policy advisory team. Make recommendations that require being addressed through the pro-equity, anti-racism (PEAR), and energy justice lens. Positions also participate in legislative activities such as performing bill analysis, reviewing fiscal notes, contributing to the development of recommended commission positions on proposals, drafting proposed bill amendments, and providing technical assistance to key decision makers. In addition, accounting advisors review and evaluate regulatory accounting issues on matters before the commission, addresses the proposed results of operations, determines the company's rate base, adjusts these for restating actual and pro forma adjustments in accordance with accepted regulatory theory and commission precedent. This position compiles and distills data, prepares spreadsheets, models and other materials, comparing the similarities and differences between the parties' positions to assist the presiding ALJ and other stakeholders in understanding the accounting issues and ultimately the rates in contested cases. Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following: Identifies energy industry trends and evaluates new technologies, policy directions, and emerging challenges and opportunities.Develops effective strategic proposals and responses to allow the agency to address trends, new policy directions, and emerging issues in energy-related policies with progressive regulatory tools. Analyzes utility Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs), Clean Energy Implementation Plans (CEIPs), Integrated System Planning (ISP) and other required components of the Clean Energy Transformation Act (CETA), as assigned.Prepares analysis and/or reviews written analysis of IRPs and/or ISP prepared by other staff members.Develops and implements strategies to coordinate policy development and implementation with other states, other state agencies, and the Governor’s office.Communicates effectively and maintains excellent working relationships with the Commissioners, Executive Director/Secretary, Policy Director, ALJs, other policy staff, commission staff, regulated companies, industry representatives, and other interested parties to ensure the commission is engaged on issues related to the agency mission.At the agency and division levels, engages in training and actively participates in efforts to promote energy justice, anti-racism, equity, diversity, and inclusion.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
READ THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION COMPLETELY: This position is included in the Washington Management Service (WMS) and covered under civil service rules. This position is exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.How to Apply: If you’re interested in joining our Team, please read the instructions below carefully; click “Apply” at the top of the page to begin the process. Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted with you application: Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate. Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process. Please note: a resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384. For more information about the UTC, please visit: www.utc.wa.gov, www.twitter.com/wautc and www.facebook.com/wautcThe State of Washington: http://access.wa.gov
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