Energy Analyst

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 applicants for the position of Natural Gas Analyst (Economist III) 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, the economist will assist in reviewing gas companies’ plans 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 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 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 DPU's energy efficiency Guidelines;
• Reviews all long-term gas supply contracts, portfolio optimization arrangements, service quality plans, 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.