The Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) seeks a talented professional to apply their technical and analytical talents to produce and shape policy and economic analysis for sustainable technology programs and services offered by Oregon’s investor-owned utilities.
Your work in the PUC’s Energy Resources and Planning Division (ERP) will assist the Commission in advancing Oregon’s clean energy transition by the state’s investor-owned utilities. The work in ERP covers everything from overseeing planning and programs for transportation electrification and energy storage, to meeting distributed renewable energy goals crafted by the Legislature, to implementing the state’s Integrated Resource and Distribution System Plans.
PUC Overview:
Celebrating more than 150 years of history, the work of the PUC impacts nearly every household throughout the state. The agency’s mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest to arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, and independent decisions supported by fact and law. The PUC is responsible for just and reasonable pricing by the Oregon's investor-owned electric, natural gas, and telephone utilities, as well as select water companies via economic regulation. This is done through robust analysis and independent decision-making conducted in an open and fair quasi-judicial hearings process. More information about our vision and values can be found at: PUC Strategic Plan and Diversity Equity and Inclusion Plan.
Our office is located in downtown Salem, in close proximity to the State Capitol, and we maintain a Portland satellite office. The PUC is funded through an assessment of the regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utilities. We pride ourselves in being a great place to work, learn, and grow professionally. As a State of Oregon agency, we offer:
Benefit plans that pay up to 99 percent of the premium for health-related coverage of employees and dependents.
Membership in the Oregon Public Employees Retirement System retirement plan.
Eleven (11) paid holidays per year; 24 hours of personal leave per year; vacation leave earned at a minimum rate of 8 hours per month and sick leave earned at a rate of 8 hours per month; and many other benefits.
More information about the PUC can be found online at: www.oregon.gov/PUC.
Please Note: New employees to PUC who are Oregon Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) participating members (those meeting contribution/eligibility service-time requirements at time of hire) are paid within the PERS-AP salary range as follows (reflecting a 6.95% compensation increase for active PERS members):
New employees to PUC who are not yet a PERS participating member, will receive the 6.95% compensation increase (6% employee contribution) upon meeting eligibility for PERS participation (generally, after completion of six-months of qualifying State of Oregon employment).
Hybrid-Remote Work:
Hybrid-Remote work promotes the health and safety of Oregonians, decreases the agency’s impact on the environment and supports flexibility and work-life balance for PUC staff.
The duties of this position may be performed remotely, and at our central office in Salem, and at the PUC’s Portland satellite office. The ability to report to Salem and Portland is required when business or operational needs are necessary for onsite activities. Hybrid-Remote work may be provided to PUC staff in accordance with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), “Working Remotely” statewide policy. Currently, employees who live in the State of Oregon may request approval for hybrid-remote work (generally from the employee’s personal residence). Requests for remote work, are evaluated based on the agency’s business needs.
What you will do as Utility Analyst:
Working closely with colleagues in ERP and across divisions, the Utility Analyst conducts data and policy analysis and participates in the development of recommendations for the Commission and agency leadership. In this role, you will be part of a team shaping statewide energy policy informed by nationally-leading greenhouse gas reduction goals and robust and thorough technical and policy analysis.
The Energy Resources and Planning Division (ERP) focuses on energy policy development and implementation. ERP provides in-depth quantitative, legal, socio-economic, and political analysis on the regulation, practices, and programs of six investor-owned, monopoly utilities. The Division supports the PUC mission by protecting ratepayers and ensuring utilities’ activities align with the laws and policies of Oregon.
Major duties may include:
Perform research, identify necessary data from utilities, and support the analysis and development of recommendations consistent with agency values, state policy, and the public interest.
Support stakeholder engagement processes that broaden participation, inclusion, and diverse perspectives in regulatory and policy decisions.
Assist with the communication of findings and recommendations through clear, concise, and well written testimony, comments, memos, and whitepapers.
Serving as a member of interdisciplinary teams led by PUC management or senior utility analysts, participate in complex energy investigations and conduct quantitative analysis in development of recommendations for Commission action. Recommendations will be primarily focused on public utility system costs and benefits of renewable programs; demand-side and supply-side resource planning and acquisition matters; and oversight of utility programs and tariffs for energy efficiency and other clean technology programs.
Produce technical analyses that include use of statistical, financial, econometric or engineering models.
Work individually and as a team-member to track and analyze implementation and compliance of programs related to the renewable portfolio standard, voluntary renewables, climate policy, distribution system planning, community solar, energy efficiency and avoided costs, demand response, electric vehicles, battery energy storage, and other demand side resources and programs.
Serve as part of a team analyzing and reviewing the electric and natural gas utility Integrated Resource Plan’s (IRP) filed with the Commission. Contribute economic, financial, and statistical analysis to the evaluation of each companies' proposed long term system and resource actions.
What we are looking for:
A skilled individual with a bachelor's degree in Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, Sustainability, or a closely related field and two years of professional-level work experience in Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, or Sustainability.
OR
Five years of work experience in Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, or Sustainability; two of which must be at the professional-level.
A Master's degree in Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, Sustainability, or a closely related field will substitute for one year of the professional-level work experience.
A Juris Doctorate or a doctoral degree in Engineering, Accounting, Economics, Finance, Public Policy, Law, Sustainability, or a closely related field will substitute for one year of the professional-level work experience.
The most competitive candidates will demonstrate the following REQUESTED SKILLS: (Note: You do not need to have education or work experience related to all the following requested skills to be considered for this position.)
Work experience independently completing analysis supporting electric energy utility planning and regulatory policy.
Work experience performing qualitative and quantitative analysis that supports the development of policy for renewable energy and energy efficiency programs.
Work experience contributing to implementation of team projects or programs, ideally on topics related to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects or programs.
Work experience providing technical direction to support customer-facing projects or programs, preferably conducting ongoing stakeholder communications.
Work experience or education that supports an understanding of public policies, technologies, and/or markets affecting utility operations and regulation. Preference may be given to candidates with specific expertise in federal energy policy, State of Oregon energy policy, and/or the practical delivery of energy-related programs.
Work experience managing the integrity of and development of tools for the analysis of large datasets. Work experience should include statistical analysis and monitoring, tracking, and being able to communicate findings to a team, management, and/or executives with recommendations for action.
Work experience independently composing professional original written correspondence; synthesize and summarize research and analysis into reports, white papers, etc.; diplomatic and effective verbal and visual communication skills; the ability to present information in a public forum; and effectively engage stakeholders in large meetings that involve diverse stakeholders with conflicting views.
Experience successfully writing in business settings about complex topics for multiple audiences in a way that is understandable and compelling.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office software (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, Teams) and Adobe products.
Energy-related work experience with an energy utility provider, regulated utility, or consumer advocacy organization.