Summary
Description
DORA’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) serves the public interest by effectively regulating utilities and facilities so that the people of Colorado receive safe, reliable and reasonably-priced services consistent with the economic, environmental and social values of our state.
The PUC is engaged in a long-term process to implement multiple legislative and regulatory requirements that seek to transform the gas industry in Colorado. Senate Bill 21-264 requires gas distribution utilities to submit clean heat plans through which they will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Regulated gas utilities are also submitting first-of-their-kind infrastructure plans which will include consideration of alternatives to capital investments. Recent legislation also requires further evaluation of gas commodity purchasing and management. This combination of legislative and regulatory requirements positions Colorado as a vanguard state in considering emerging gas industry issues.
The Policy Advisory Unit directly supports the Commissioners of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission and the Commission’s Administrative Law Judges (ALJs). Advisors provide technical analysis and policy advice; they manage or collaborate on cases; and they 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.
Position: SGA 5027
This Analyst VI position makes recommendations to the Commissioners and ALJs on issues related to natural gas distribution system engineering. The position makes recommendations in matters involving the provision of safe, reliable, and economic service to utility customers using data from diverse sources, including testimony, third-party reports, and industry-specific resources.
In particular, the position will review engineering-related testimony and advise on engineering questions related to natural gas distribution systems, including planning and costing, use and usefulness of infrastructure, implementation of “non-pipelines alternatives,” and the development of regulatory rules and practices that are needed to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the system given state goals and market trends related to decarbonization. While the focus is anticipated to be on natural gas issues, the position may also address engineering issues related to electric generation, transmission, and distribution. The position will work on high-profile cases that include technology and policy issues which may be at the forefront of industry trends in Colorado and nationwide.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
- Analyzing and evaluating filings by utilities and other stakeholders in formal Commission proceedings, including applications, advice letters, tariff filings, testimony, plans, reports, rules, statutes, and other requests or proposals;
- Preparing recommendations on technical and policy issues for decision-makers, such as Commissioners, ALJs, and other senior Commission staff;
- Preparing memorandums, information summaries, draft orders, and other materials to assist with decision-making by the Commissioners;
- Assisting Commissioners and ALJs to prepare for pre-hearing conferences and evidentiary hearings;
- Presenting concise and informative explanations and recommendations to Commissioners in open meetings;
- Answering Commissioner inquiries based on expert knowledge of proceeding records; and
- Assisting legal counsel regarding the technical, policy, and practical aspects of utility engineering practices.
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 rules changes for discussion with Commissioners prior to a formal proceeding being initiated.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):
- Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in engineering (including aerospace, chemical, civil, electrical, environmental, industrial, materials, metallurgical, mechanical, or power engineering); and
- Five (5) years of progressively responsible, professional* experience in the energy and/or utilities industries:
- Performing analytical work;
- Preparing regulatory filings; and/or
- Managing engineering or other technical projects.
Document this experience in your application IN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part-time experience will be prorated.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
- A combination of professional* work experience as described above, which provided the same kind, amount and level of knowledge acquired in the required education, may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year-for-year basis;
- 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.
*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.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience with gas distribution systems, including engineering planning, design, costing, construction, maintenance, safety, or environmental management;
- Experience with gas pipeline operations, including through performing monitoring or inspections;
- Experience with non-pipelines or non-wires alternatives program design or deployment;
- Experience working on projects or efforts that are dependent upon an explicit stakeholder process for completion;
- Experience and expertise in working as an engineer-in-training or as a professional engineer;
- Experience interpreting and analyzing legislative proposals;
- Project management or consulting experience, including the ability to develop scopes of work, meet deadlines, coordinate across teams, and navigate complex or conflicting client needs;
- Experience filing written comments and/or testimony in regulatory proceedings;
- Experience explaining and breaking down complex, technical engineering concepts into layperson’s terms (written or oral); and
- Experience with testimony on, presentation of, and/or leading public discussion on engineering projects/processes affecting the public interest.
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):
- Demonstrated written and oral communication skills (which includes being cognizant that not all recipients of such communications are professional engineers);
- Professional demeanor;
- Demonstrated ability to conduct research and gather pertinent information;
- Attention to detail;
- Comfortable demonstrating expertise in front of authorities;
- Demonstrated interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team;
- Strong judgment and confidence in decision-making skills;
- Creativity and flexibility in regard to problem-solving, with an ability to adapt to new changes;
- Strategic thinking, including the ability to identify emerging issues, anticipate trends, and provide recommendations on strategies to minimize risk impacts;
- Time management, including the ability to manage numerous, competing priorities;
- Ability to read, analyze and understand laws, rules, regulations and policies;
- 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;
- Proficiency in the use of various PC software applications, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, etc.), Google Docs, etc., as well as in the use of databases.
Conditions of Employment: Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.
- The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
- A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, etc.
- The type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.
- Effective September 20, 2021, employees will be required to attest to and verify that they are fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Upon hire, new employees will have three (3) business days to provide attestation to their status with proof of vaccination.
- Note: Fully Vaccinated means two (2) weeks after a second dose in a two-dose series of the COVID-19 vaccine, such as the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two (2) weeks after the single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine, as defined by the State of Colorado’s Public Health Order and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.
