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SalaryJoin the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) for an opportunity to make a difference in the regulatory landscape in Massachusetts! The DPU is at the forefront of the Commonwealth’s efforts to create a more sustainable energy future while balancing the provision of safe, reliable, and least-cost service. The DPU is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric, 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 DPU's mission 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 customers' rights are protected. The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
The Department of Public Utilities seeks candidates for the position of Regional Planner IV. In this role, you will utilize your technical and collaborative skills working with other industry experts to develop and formulate recommendations on energy and water issues. If you are seeking a rewarding employment opportunity that harnesses and grows your skills and talents, positively shapes energy and regulatory policy, and impacts the public good while collaborating with a team of dedicated professionals in a collegial work environment, the DPU could be your next exciting career. Apply now!
A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.
Incumbents work within the Rates and Revenue Requirements Division, focusing on issues related to: general ratemaking, base rate revenue requirements, rate structures, other reconciling mechanisms/trackers, surcharges, financing petitions, storm response/storm cost recovery, and water utility cases, as well as smart grid technology, dynamic pricing, net metering and other distributed energy resources issues.
DETAILED STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Oversee utility rate requests, water company petitions, and finance petitions by reviewing the technical aspects of reports and filings and conferring with internal and external experts to ensure that strategies are in compliance with precedent and law.
2. Develop the technical planning aspects of regulations and guidelines for agency programs, and evaluate the technical merits of regulations, guidelines and programs to ensure that agency goals are being met.
3. Review storm response funding and cost recovery for storm response asset restoration for distribution facilities.
4. Provide recommendations and technical assistance to consumers, municipalities, and other governmental agencies on regulatory strategies, including impacts of base rate revenue requirements, rate design, infrastructure investments, incentive programs and pilot data collection methods and strategies as well as the technical adequacy and impact of existing laws, rules and regulations.
5. Supervise the project management functions and needs of the Rates Division in terms of the technical adequacy of planning data in order to improve the efficiency of data systems for case management or public consumption of information.
6. Review and make recommendations on the technical aspects of proposed legislation and regulations on regulated utilities.
7. Develop and recommend changes in the planning components of base rate revenue requirements, rate or incentive design policies.
8. Develop and take a lead role in the planning components and negotiation of base rate settlements for water companies.
9. Represent the Agency and Commission in External meetings or stakeholder groups, while following the established ex-parte rules and polices.
REMARKS
Candidate must submit a cover letter and may be asked for a writing sample.
Staff are currently on a hybrid schedule, working partly from home. Schedule will be finalized upon hire.
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
- Education toward such a degree will be prorated on the basis on the proportion of the requirements actually completed.
