Economist ll - Gas Division - Department of Public Utilities
Job Description
Economist II - Gas Division - (22000D1J)
Description
The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth; developing alternatives to traditional regulation; monitoring service quality; regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas; and for certain aspects associated with the siting of energy facilities. The mission of the Department is to ensure that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost; to protect the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline related accidents; and to ensure that residential ratepayers' rights are protected. The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
The DPU seeks applicants for the position of Natural Gas/Energy Analyst (Economist II) in the Gas Division. The Natural Gas Analyst position applies a broad mix of economic and public policy skills in analyzing issues and cases before the DPU. They will work both individually, and as a team member with other analysts, accountants, and attorneys on a range of cases, including: gas forecast and supply plans; gas procurement processes; gas supply contracts; 3-year energy efficiency plans as required by the Green Communities Act; gas cost recovery filings; gas distribution rate cases; service quality plans; and license applications for gas suppliers and gas retail agents. Finally, they will assist in reviewing how gas companies plan to help the Commonwealth achieve its 2050 climate goals. The analyst participates in all facets of assigned cases, including developing information requests, cross-examining expert witnesses during hearings, and analyzing and drafting recommendations to the Commission.
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.
The position requires advanced 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 of positions at this level exercise considerable independent judgment. Specifically, the analyst:
- Reviews all gas companies’ filings related to forecast and supply plans as well as all filings related to the recovery of gas supply costs, environmental remediation costs and other distribution-related costs not recovered via base rates;
- Analyzes all energy efficiency filings, including three-year plans, midterm modifications, and annual/term reports, for cost effectiveness and other requirements of the Green Communities Act and the Department’s energy efficiency Guidelines and attends regular meetings of the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council to monitor current energy efficiency topics;
- Reviews all long-term gas supply contracts, portfolio optimization arrangements, service quality filings, and license applications for gas suppliers and gas retail agents;
- Drafts information and data requests, cross-examines witnesses, drafts memoranda and sections of Department decisions, 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 organizations for economic analysis purposes; and
- Maintains major work contacts with professional and technical personnel, utility organizations, agency personnel, as well as other local, state, and federal agencies.
Preferred candidates should have some of the following qualifications:
- Knowledge of energy markets and, specifically, the natural gas market;
- Ability to perform statistical calculations to solve economic problems;
- Experience reading and interpreting such documents as Department orders, Evaluation, Measurement and Verification (EM&V) studies, and industry reports;
- Experience in technical and/or legal writing;
- Knowledge of energy efficiency programs;
- Ability to develop a record by gathering information through information requests and cross-examination;
- Ability to coordinate the efforts of others in accomplishing assigned work objectives.
Applicants will also be asked to submit a writing sample.
The position includes the opportunity for hybrid-remote work.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
Applicants must have at least (A) three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the field of economics, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A Bachelor's degree with a major in economics may be substituted for a maximum of two years of the required experience.*
II. A Graduate degree with a major in economics may be substituted for the required experience.*
III. A Bachelor's or higher degree with a major other than in economics may be substituted for a maximum of one year of the required experience.*
Special Requirements: None.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
Official Title: Economist II
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-1 South Station
Job: Environmental and Energy
Agency: Department of Public Utilities
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Nov 4, 2022, 10:01:34 AM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 62,268.18 - 89,143.08 Yearly
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Melixza Esenyie - 6176261282
Bargaining Unit: 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.
Confidential: No
Hybrid Work Eligible: Yes