Utility Specialist 3

Under general direction from supervisor serves as department expert and specialist with comprehensive technical knowledge in electric market simulation and price forecasting modeling software in order to assist senior staff and the commission in formulating policy and in decision making in the context of a case proceeding; knows and understands the algorithms comprising such modeling software to the extent able to specify data and data formats for inputs, modify assumptions and hypotheses to be tested, interpret model run results, and appropriately format model run outputs; oversees and/or executes the process of formatting and loading input data and assumptions, making appropriate model runs so as to elucidate an issue or decision, formatting and reporting model run results to senior management and to the Commission in written and oral summary fashion and in detailed written reports; designs studies in which electricity market modeling software is used to test policy alternatives and the implications of decisions that may be available to the Commission by specifying assumptions, data inputs, and other parameters that may enable the examination of different scenarios using the modeling software; prepares and presents written and/or oral expert testimony in case proceedings before the Commission based upon analyses conducted using the modeling software; works closely with personnel under contract to assist PUCO in modeling efforts and other outside experts to expand the staff’s and the Commission’s understanding of the behavior of dynamic variables that affect pricing and policy options; produces detailed written technical reports of modeling results for use by senior staff, the Commission and the public.

Develops and maintains expert knowledge of data subscription service licensed by or otherwise available to the Commission; understands the diverse data content of the subscription service; understands the meaning of the data contained in the subscription service and how it may be used in the exercise of electricity market modeling software and for other diverse analytical needs by the Commission and/or Commission staff; develops and maintains the skills and expertise needed to retrieve, store and re-format specific data pertinent to any analytical need; serves as a resource for other staff and Commissioners in accessing, formatting and manipulating data contained in the subscription service to answer questions and supply needed information for diverse regulatory purposes and for purposes of informing staff, the Commission and the public.

Under the general direction of immediate supervisor, supports and assists other staff in processing cases and producing reports pursuant to 4935.04 of the Ohio Revised Code: assists senior staff in producing the Independent Long Term Forecast of Energy Requirements in the State of Ohio; analyzes the forecasts of Ohio utilities insofar as whether they meet the requirements for forecasts set forth in 4935.04; provides expert testimony in case proceedings before the Commission regarding forecasting, resource planning, and policy options.

Assists and supports other staff in exercising modeling software other than the electricity market simulation and price forecasting modeling software, such as the neural network model for predicting short term market prices; serves as backup to staff responsible for running the neural network models by running those models in their absence or when they are unable to run them; maintains an awareness of simulation and other models used by the electric and gas industries for predictive purposes and for strategic purposes.

Develops and maintains an expert understanding of the operation of electricity markets operated by regional transmission organizations and of bilateral markets, including and especially bilateral markets brokered through electronic platforms such as the Intercontinental Exchange; develops and maintains an expert understanding of wholesale electricity market monitoring, especially as it may be applicable to PJM and Midwest ISO markets.

Responds to complaints and inquiries from the general public regarding service provided by electric, gas, telephone, water, and wastewater utilities by investigating the factual basis for the complaint, providing mediation between the utility and the customer, and preparing written and/or oral response to customer following appropriate agency procedures and protocols for handling such complaints; responds to other assignments as needed.

Minimum Qualifications: Completion of graduate core program or 3 yrs. exp. in one or more of following fields; accounting, code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, utility &/or transportation code of enforcement, geology, management, law, economics, mathematics or engineering; AND 5 yrs. utility or transportation regulatory experience involving combination of following: PUCO operations, programs & policies affecting regulation of utility or transportation companies, state & federal laws, regulations & procedures governing utility or transportation company operations, competitive programs & alternative regulations, rate &/or tariff structure, financing & securities or economics applied to utility or transportation companies, utility or transportation regulatory processing & case hearing proceedings, cost recovery & cost adjustment methods & procedures, enforcement of customer service standards, statistical, mathematical or analytical methods used in formulating & solving problems or in decision making, developing & conducting research studies &/or investigations of scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation or alternative regulation.

-Or 36 mos. exp. as Utility Specialist 2, 66952.

-Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

 Major Worker Characteristics: Knowledge of agency policies, procedures & guidelines, state & federal laws, rules & regulations governing utility or transportation regulation & evolution to competitive utility markets & services; state & national impact of utility or transportation regulation on utility or transportation industry; commission orders & guidelines regarding utility or transportation regulation & competitive market issues; uniform system of accounts, generally accepted accounting principles, financial & operational accounting standards, rate & tariff structures, financing & securities or economics as applied to utility or transportation regulation &/or gas cost recovery or biomass, environmental compliance & developing environmental regulations or fuel cost adjustment methods & procedures & utility rate setting process & regulatory hearing proceedings; cost of service analysis; established policies, procedures & methods for collecting, reporting of & dissemination of information to utility use proceedings; management & operating practices of utility companies in designated field; multiple disciplines (e.g., engineering, economics, finance, mathematics or accounting) affecting utility or transportation industry; computer & database software & computer modeling; forecasting future demands of quantity or quality of service needed; enforcement of codes of conduct; enforcement of minimum services standards; enforcement of commission policies; dispute resolution expertise; competitive marketing monitoring; developing, conducting & evaluating customer surveys; public speaking &/or effective communication. Skill in use of personal computer. Ability to use statistical methods & develop complex models; communicate technical data effectively; analyze research & reconcile conflicting issues; analyze & develop new methods & rules; prepare complex reports & develop & implement changes in methods used in collection of regulatory information; prepare papers for media or utility trade publications; represents agency as industry expert in meetings, hearings or conferences.

Unusual Working Conditions:
Some overnight travel required.

 Supplemental Information: Comment 1:
This position is open to all interested internal and external applicants, but may be filled by internal promotion. Written and/or oral assessments may be given as part of the selection process. As this is a bargaining unit position, the provisions of the contract apply.