Senior Economic Analyst

General Description

This position serves as a Senior Economic Analyst responsible for conducting advanced, independent economic, financial, and statistical analysis to evaluate routine and non‑routine utility applications. Operating at an expert level, the analyst develops complex econometric, forecasting, and cost models to interpret technical data and formulate actionable regulatory recommendations for the Commissioners in both routine matters and highly contested utility cases.

As a vital technical advisor, the role monitors and evaluates utility participation in wholesale energy markets and organized electric grids, analyzing complex market rules, transmission planning policies, and system reliability to protect state ratepayer interests. The position requires a high degree of independent judgment and initiative to navigate conflicting policy considerations among competing economic interests. Modeling includes complex economic, accounting, and statistical forecasting, optimization, and cost modeling.

The analyst serves as a subject‑matter expert on national and regional regulatory committees, prepares comprehensive technical memoranda, and can provide expert written and oral testimony in formal proceedings. This role requires both in‑state and out‑of‑state travel.

• Advanced Economic & Statistical Research: Conducts and interprets original economic, demographic, statistical, and revenue‑related research to analyze regulated utility conditions, market trends, and financial data.
• Complex Regulatory Modeling: Develops complex economic, accounting, and statistical forecasting, optimization, and cost models to derive technical recommendations for the Commissioners regarding utility infrastructure, investments, and cost of service.
• Market & Grid Evaluation: Analyzes, monitors, and evaluates utility participation in wholesale energy markets and organized power grids, including the impacts of regional transmission planning, capacity markets, and market rules on state ratepayers.
• Comprehensive Technical Writing: Composes complex technical reports, articles, memorandums, surveys, and training materials detailing factual findings and potential solutions for issue resolution.
• Rate Case Analysis: Provides independent analysis of regulatory issues and interprets data to develop recommendations regarding accounting, finance, economics, cost structures, and the derivation of rate designs in routine applications and complex contested cases.
• Financial Auditing & Integrity: Conducts and reports on audits of accounting systems, program management, and operational methods of regulated entities to determine the accuracy and integrity of financial statements.
• Compliance Interpretation: Interprets and investigates compliance issues regarding agency rules, state statutes, and federal rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Hearing & Witness Support: Analyzes the testimony and exhibits of expert witnesses and assists in the preparation of cross‑examination for administrative hearings and regulatory proceedings.
• Commission Presentation & Support: Prepares technical memorandums and presents factual findings and expert recommendations directly to the Commission at open meetings and case deliberations.
• Expert Testimony & Public Speaking: Evaluates and interprets complex results through the delivery of expertly prepared written reports, formal presentations, and oral testimony in regulatory proceedings.
• Policy Navigation: Navigates complex policy considerations among varied and often conflicting positions and competing economic interests.
• Committees & Work groups: Participates in special studies or research work groups within the agency and serves as a subject matter expert on various national and regional regulatory committees.
• Professional Consultation: Consults with internal and external stakeholders regarding the access, methodology, and use of financial, economic, and regulatory information.

• Utility Industry Insight: Knowledge of utility regulation and the operational mechanics of the natural gas, pipeline, electric, water, and telecommunications industries. Skilled in…