Public Utilities Analyst - Rates and Revenue Division

Public Utilities Analyst/Economist III

Public Utilities Analyst/Economist III to support the review and analysis of utility rate filings, revenue requirements, rate design, and related regulatory matters. This position offers the opportunity to work on complex finance, accounting, economic, and policy issues that directly affect Massachusetts residents and businesses.

The Public Utilities Analyst/Economist III will use their expertise to conduct economic analysis on regulated utility operations, capital investment decisions, and pricing to retail customers. The successful candidate will join the DPU’s Rates and Revenue Requirements Division, which provides in-depth, holistic economic, financial, accounting, and mathematical and statistical analysis on the regulation, practices, and programs of the electric, gas, and water investor-owned utilities as well as limited oversight of the municipal light plants in the Commonwealth.

In this role, you will utilize your technical and collaborative skills working with other industry experts to develop and formulate recommendations on energy and water issues. If you are seeking a rewarding employment opportunity that harnesses and grows your skills and talents, positively shapes energy and regulatory policy, and impacts the public good while collaborating with a team of dedicated professionals in a collegial work environment, the DPU could be your next exciting career.

The Public Utilities Analyst/Economist III applies a broad mix of economic and public policy skills in analyzing issues and cases before the DPU, and will work both individually and as a team member with other analysts, economists, accountants, regional planners, and attorneys on a wide range of cases such as reviewing: electric, gas, and water utility filings for changes in base rate revenue requirements and rate structures;

other rate trackers and surcharges; and financing petitions. The position requires competency in cross-examining company and intervention witnesses.

The Public Utilities Analyst/Economist III participates in all facets of assigned cases, including developing information requests, questioning expert witnesses during hearings, drafting memoranda and policy recommendations, as well as writing sections of DPU orders. The position requires excellent quantitative and writing skills, as well as the ability to express thoughts in a clear and concise manner. Excellent oral communications skills are highly desirable.

Incumbents exercise considerable independent judgment.

• Provide technical support on matters such as revenue requirements, cost of service, depreciation, taxes, cost of capital and return on equity, rate making and rate design, grid modernization, advanced metering infrastructure, electric vehicle infrastructure, net metering, utility owned solar and storage, the interconnection of renewable energy, storm cost recovery/storm funds, pension and post-retirement benefits other than pension, vegetation management, performance incentive mechanisms and performance based regulation, gas system enhancement programs, revenue decoupling, and various other topics as assigned
• Analyzes rate requests and finance petitions from utility companies; solves problems, devises techniques, and develops recommendations using existing precedent, guidelines, regulations, and policy goals
• Methodically gather, assimilate, and analyze data and information in documents to identify gaps and inconsistencies, make appropriate inquiries, draw conclusions, and make appropriate recommendations
• Give written and oral instructions in a precise and understandable manner
• Work productively and effectively both in a team environment and individually with intermittent supervision
• Issues data requests, cross‑examines witnesses, drafts memoranda and sections of DPU orders, and applies mathematical techniques of economic research
• Responds to consumer, administrative, and utility inquiries
• Collects, compiles, and reviews economic data obtained from various sources, including other agencies and trade…