Colorado PUC Commission Advisors

These positions are based in the PUC’s Policy Advisory Unit, which directly supports the Commissioners on the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and the Commission’s Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). Advisors manage cases and assist the Commissioners and ALJs in reaching their decisions in formal proceedings, such as adjudicated cases and rulemakings. Advisors also occasionally assist the Commissioners and ALJs with research and analysis outside of formal proceedings, such as through hosting workshops and overseeing special projects. Nearly all of the work completed by the Policy Advisory Unit is conducted within a privileged deliberative process that is distinct from all other members of the Commission’s staff.

These positions make recommendations to Commissioners and ALJs in matters involving the provision of safe, reliable, economic, and equitable service to utility customers using data from diverse sources, including testimony, third-party reports, and industry-specific resources. The positions will focus on electric and/or gas industry proceedings, which make up the majority of the Commission’s adjudicated caseload. Cases may address topics as varied as beneficial electrification, gas infrastructure planning, review of utility rates and riders, demand-side management programs, energy affordability, environmental justice, electric resource planning, and other technology or policy issues which may at times be at the forefront of industry trends in Colorado and nationwide.

The positions: Analyze and evaluate filings by utilities and other stakeholders in formal Commission proceedings, including petitions, applications, advice letters, tariff filings, testimony, plans, reports, rules, statutes, and other requests or proposals; Prepare recommendations on technical and policy issues for decision-makers, such as Commissioners, ALJs, and other senior Commission staff; Prepare memorandums, information summaries, draft orders, and other materials to assist with decision-making in matters addressed by the Commissioners; Assist Commissioners and ALJs to prepare for pre-hearing conferences and evidentiary hearings; Present concise and informative explanations and recommendations to Commissioners in open meetings; and Answer Commissioner inquiries based on expert knowledge of proceeding records, including assisting legal counsel regarding the technical, policy, and practical aspects of utility regulation. While specific tasks may vary, examples of work conducted by Advisors include:

Reviewing utility applications to identify where additional testimony could be requested, in response to Commissioner concerns. Developing proposals for workshops or informational meetings which may involve identifying and coordinating with potential speakers. Identifying key requests by utilities and other stakeholders and synthesizing information in the evidentiary record to make recommendations to Commissioners on how they should resolve those requests in their orders. Developing the scope, providing preliminary research, and suggesting redlines for potential industry rule changes for discussion with Commissioners prior to a formal proceeding being initiated. Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business, public administration, public policy, political science, economics, finance, engineering, environmental studies, or in a field of study closely related to the work assignment; Six (6) years of progressively responsible, professional* experience, in one (1) of the following three (3) areas:

Energy Policy: Researching and analyzing energy policies or programs to provide neutral explanations and/or recommendations on matters faced by electric utilities, gas utilities, or energy regulatory commissions; Rate Cases: Analyzing financial or economic information to provide neutral explanations and/or recommendations about electric or gas utility financial requirements and rates; Resource Planning: Analyzing financial, economic, or engineering information to provide neutral explanations and/or recommendations about utility resource planning and acquisitions.

The six (6) years must include at least two (2) years of the following:

Formal supervisory** or equivalent experience in managing professional level staff (responsible for the pay, status, and tenure of subordinate employees); OR Experience working as a senior authority*** or equivalent, performing quantitative and/or qualitative analysis.

*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.

**Formal supervisory experience requires accountability for the quality and quantity of work of employees of the organization; responsibility for making decisions that affect the pay, status and/or tenure of subordinates; and authority in the hiring, performance planning and evaluation and progressive discipline processes.

***Senior authority experience involves leading program efforts as a pacesetter with a unique level of technical expertise in a field that is critical to success of the organization; and designing programs and systems to be used throughout the organization with external effects. Managers and peers rely on the subject matter expertise of this pacesetter, when making decisions regarding the direction of policy, programs, and systems within their field.

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, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.

SUBSTITUTIONS: While a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university is required, professional work experience as described above may be substituted for the listed majors for the bachelor’s degree; A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment may be substituted for two (2) years of the required experience. Certification, registration, or licensure related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for one year of the required experience, but not for the supervisory experience. Preferred Qualifications: Relevant advanced credentials, such as Certified Public Accountant (CPA) or Professional Engineer (PE); Experience in financial or regulatory accounting; Experience in financial or economic modeling; Experience monitoring and analyzing utility regulatory dockets in multiple states; Experience in environmental justice and/or public health policy or programs; Experience interpreting and analyzing legislative proposals; Experience designing and/or implementing customer energy programs (e.g., weatherization, renewable energy programs, electric vehicle rebates, etc.); Project management experience, including the ability to prioritize across multiple competing objectives and coordinate across teams; Consulting experience, including the ability to develop scopes of work, meet deadlines, and navigate complex or conflicting client needs; Experience filing comments and/or testimony in regulatory proceedings; Experience participating in litigated proceedings related to energy and utilities, including drafting testimony and/or participating in evidentiary hearings or settlements; Experience presenting complex, technical information to decision-makers in plain language terms, either verbally, in writing, or both; Experience coordinating and/or facilitating public events or stakeholder groups. Required Competencies:

The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview): Critical thinking and analysis skills, including having the ability to evaluate and analyze information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action; Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively on collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams; Oral communication skills, including the ability to verbally communicate effectively to a diverse audience; Written communication skills, including the ability to complete reports in a clear, accurate, and concise manner; Demonstrated attention to detail; Professional demeanor; Demonstrated ability to conduct research and gather pertinent information; Demonstrated understanding of how to effectively function in state government, along with the ability to build consensus in a complex and high-pressured, politically-charged environment; Flexibility and adaptability with regard to change management, including the ability to adhere to changes in work processes, adapt to changing priorities, and maintain a willingness to comply with and support organizational change(s); Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division; Ability to represent the department and the PUC in a positive, professional and objective manner, and support a positive workplace environment; Ability to handle sensitive and/or highly confidential information in a professional and ethical manner, and in accordance with state and federal laws; Comfortable demonstrating expertise in front of authorities, including defending well-researched recommendations; Knowledge of and/or ability to assist with rulemaking processes; Strategic thinking, including the ability to identify emerging issues, anticipate trends, and provide recommendations on strategies to minimize risk impacts; Demonstrated ability to diplomatically deal with difficult interactions with decision-makers; Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to manage competing priorities and meet hard deadlines; Proficiency in the use of various PC software applications including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and Google Suite.

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