Rate/Financial Analyst IV: DORA/Public Utilities Commission

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　　Rate/Financial Analyst IV: DORA/Public Utilities Commission

　　Salary

　　$6,570.00 - $8,541.00 Monthly

　　Location

　　Denver Metro, CO

　　Job Type

　　Full Time

　　Job Number

　　SGA-5110-01/24

　　Department

　　Department of Regulatory Agencies

　　Division

　　Public Utilities Commission

　　Opening Date

　　01/23/2024

　　Closing Date

　　2/7/2024 11:59 PM Mountain

　　FLSA

　　Determined by Position

　　Primary Physical Work Address

　　1560 Broadway Denver, CO 80202

　　Hiring Pay Rate

　　The salary range posted for this position is $78,840 - $102,492 annually ($6,570 - $8,541/monthly); although a salary range is listed, hiring salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.

　　Description

　　Benefits

　　Questions

　　Department Information

　　This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

　　The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.

　　Consumer protection is our mission.

　　DORA is a progressive, innovative government agency where employees and customers alike are valued. If you are interested in becoming a part of an environment where creative thinking, customer service, and protecting consumers through healthy regulation is valued, DORA is the place for you! In addition to rewarding, challenging, and meaningful work, the State of Colorado at the Department of Regulatory Agencies offers an excellent total compensation package including:

　　Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.

　　Extensive work-life programs such as a telecommuting program, flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!

　　Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.

　　Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.

　　Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.

　　Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.

　　Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.

　　Paid Time Off, including 10 paid holidays.

　　Short- and long-term disability coverage.

　　Tuition assistance program.

　　Description of Job

　　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 Telecom Programs Section exists to provide professional analysis, technical and policy testimony, and advice and recommendations on economic, financial, and operational matters related to ongoing telecommunications programs housed within the Public Utilities Commission or telecommunications-related filings and proceedings. The Telecom Programs Section consists of subject matter experts related to several different telecom program areas as well as specialists who handle routine telecom filings. The unit functions as a team to provide efficient and effective administration of telecom programs assigned to the Commission by statute and to effectively execute the Commission’s responsibilities related to oversight of the regulated aspects of the telecommunications industry. Members of the team may function both in formal legal proceedings and in informal negotiations and discussions with stakeholders, separating duties as necessary to abide by ex parte requirements.

　　This section includes financial and policy subject matter experts that provide expert administration of relevant programs, as well as analysis and examination of telecom filings, and make financial, technical, and policy recommendations through advisory memoranda, meetings with Commissioners, oral presentations, and public meetings, and through written and oral testimony on relevant matters. The work involves the application of financial, technical, and policy-based analyses, and state and federal regulations to analyze applications for rate and terms of service by public utilities. While individual members of the team may specialize in specific program areas, all positions work as members of a multidisciplinary team of financial, technical, and policy analysts to administer programs and evaluate relevant filings.

　　Position: SGA 5110

　　This position’s exists to analyze and advise the Commission on all non-programmatic telecom issues before the Commission, with non-programmatic meaning not related to the 9-1-1 program, Telecom Relay Service program, or Inmate Communications Services program. This position works in conjunction with other members of the section to formulate recommendations resulting from the review of filed materials. The range of telecom filings include, but are not limited to: advice letters, Terms of Service (TOS), tariffs, customer contracts and terms and conditions oversight, applications for Certificates of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) to provide or discontinue telecom services, Letters of Registration (LOR) for authority to provide switched access services, encumbrances, and other telecom filings made with the Commission. This position provides specific recommendations within the Section and works with other professionals, including other RFAs, economists, and legal counsel from the Office of the Attorney General.

　　Additionally, this position is responsible for administration of the Colorado High-Cost Support Mechanism (CHCSM), which is the state universal service fund program, designed to ensure affordable telecommunications in rural areas of the state, as well as providing funding for broadband deployment. This position is primarily responsible for ongoing reports to the Colorado Legislature and the PUC Commissioners about ongoing high cost fund collections, tracking those collections, monitoring the contractor which maintains the fund, and informing the legislature about choices between high cost support and broadband deployment. The position may at times be required to provide expert testimony in proceedings before the Commission or Administrative Law Judge, which is subject to due process including cross-examination.

　　Duties include, but are not limited to:

　　Advising the Commissioners as an individual contributor on non-adjudicated or uncontested matters associated with telecommunications activities, or in adjudicated or contested matters when another staff member has been designated as “trial staff;”

　　Determining which audits should be propounded, whether any inspections should be completed, and the specific inspection process that is to be employed in order to adequately analyze telecom advice letters, applications, or other pleadings;

　　Reviewing proposals filed by utilities in order to assess risks, which involves performing both financial and cost analyses by using cost recovery analysis spreadsheets and/or complex computer models;

　　Propounding audit and discovery (interrogatories) on the utility and other parties to the proceeding;

　　Analyzing pre-filed testimony and exhibits, developing written responsive testimony and related exhibits, and drafting written answers to interrogatories served on trial staff;

　　Participating in formal evidentiary hearings as an expert witness subject to cross-examination by opposing parties;

　　Developing recommendations with guidance provided by the Telecom Programs Section Chief for Commission consideration that are consistent with statutory and regulatory requirements;

　　Assisting staff’s legal counsel in the development of written closing statements of position;

　　Overseeing and managing the $25 million state fund (Colorado High-Cost Support Mechanism) that is used to support basic local service to high cost areas of the state and distributes funds to the Colorado Broadband Fund;

　　Conducting periodic reporting of fund status to PUC Commissioners, which includes preparing a comprehensive annual report to the Legislature detailing the level of fund collections compared to previous years and expectations, and other relevant concerns;

　　Serving as the first point of contact on the fund for other states, the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC), and the Director of the Colorado Broadband Deployment Fund.

　　Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights

　　MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):

　　Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, finance, mathematics, business, public administration or a closely-related field; AND

　　Five (5) years of professional* experience working in any of the following work environments:

　　Regulatory;

　　Government and/ or public sector;

　　Legal;

　　Telecom industry.

　　The five years of professional* experience must include reviewing documents and/or applications, researching, and/or analyzing emerging policy.

　　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.

　　Certification, registration, or licensure related to the work assigned to the position will substitute for one year 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:

　　Juris Doctorate (J.D.) or Master’s degree in accounting, business, business administration, engineering, finance, management, or public administration, or a closely related field;

　　Demonstrated experience working with Excel including extracting and synthesizing key salient points from lengthy written documents, databases, and spreadsheets;

　　Demonstrated experience interpreting and applying regulatory principles;

　　Demonstrated experience working in a regulatory environment;

　　Demonstrated experience working in the telecom industry reviewing documents to ensure compliance with FCC requirements;

　　Demonstrated experience working in a demanding environment with high-profile leaders;

　　Experience working in and knowledge of the telecommunications industry;

　　Experience developing new processes, and identifying methods to streamline existing work processes for efficiency and accuracy;

　　Experience interpreting, drafting and translating a body of rules and repackaging them to be easily understandable to a diverse audience;

　　Experience participating in legislative initiatives, including monitoring legislative activity and responding to questions related to pending or proposed legislation/rulemaking;

　　Experience leading difficult negotiations and fostering cooperation under potentially stressful circumstances, and building relationships with varied audiences;

　　Experience with testimony on, presentation of, and/or leading public discussion on 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;

　　Professional demeanor;

　　Demonstrated ability to conduct research and gather pertinent information;

　　Attention to detail;

　　Comfortable demonstrating expertise in front of authorities;

　　Qualitative analysis and narrative write-up skills;

　　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 and analyze laws, rules, regulations and policies and interpret them in order to explain them to various stakeholders;

　　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.

　　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 (https://drive.google.com/file/d/1b3w36DgcK8pNlPz0DVibaUhhDcb-YyJH/view) and guidance issued by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment.

　　Supplemental Information

　　PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials

　　Interested individuals must submit the following online:

　　A completed State of Colorado Application (log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.

　　A current email address on your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from [email protected] and '@state.co.us' addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.

　　A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.

　　Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application Review

　　Part of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.

　　Veterans' Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans' Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.

　　PLEASE NOTE: Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness. Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates.

　　The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and

　　we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State

　　of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative

　　work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve

　　them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to

　　all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law.

　　DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this

　　commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable

　　accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application

　　process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the

　　employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested

　　accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require

　　reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, Rachael Alkayali, at [email protected] or call (303) 894-2441.

　　APPEAL RIGHTS:

　　If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director.

　　An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department’s action.

　　For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures , Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes , at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.