PUC Jobs Board

The Public Service Commission (PSC) is seeking a qualified candidate for the position of Utility Technical Consultant with risk assessment capabilities. This position is located in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Purpose
You will actively support the PSC and the decisions of the PSC’s commissioners involving mitigation of utility risks including physical, cyber, and financial risks, as well as associated risk of damage to public and private property, and injuries to persons. The PSC seeks demonstrated expertise or a strong desire to develop expertise in assessing and determining levels and mitigation of one or more of the following risks: wildland fire, cybersecurity, nuclear energy and natural gas related to utility equipment and infrastructure, and their impact on utility rates. Ideally, the candidate would have experience in the insurance industry, but insurance experience is not essential. In addition, you may be assigned to actively support the PSC’s decisions to ensure just and reasonable rates by reviewing and analyzing utility filings and providing technical analysis of the supporting accounting, financial, and other data filed by regulated public electricity, gas, telecommunications, water, and wastewater companies. When filings are submitted, you will provide summaries of testimony, annual reports, comments; and provide opinions, as requested, and other materials, as needed, to assist in the decision-making as the dockets are processed and submitted for decision-making. You will test utility models against the PSC’s models to ensure accuracy of the materials filed. You will respond to any questions related to the filings and perform research when issues arise and as needed.

Principal Duties

Review, assess and evaluate reports, filings, and requests containing wildland fire mitigation, cybersecurity, nuclear, gas (and any related insurance coverages), and other related utility reports involving mitigation of utility risks. Specific tasks may include the following:

• Develop understanding and expertise regarding industry standards and best practices to assess and mitigate electric and gas utilities' risk of liability for personal injury and property damage related to: a) wildland fires, b) cybersecurity breaches, c) nuclear malfunctions, d) natural gas leaks and explosions, and e) other extraordinary risk exposures which may arise.
• Evaluate utility equipment and operating procedures implemented to mitigate liability risk exposures.
• Evaluate utility insurance programs intended to cover risk exposures.
• Identify and develop proposals for achieving reasonable levels of risk mitigation.
• Assess the relative costs and benefits of various risk mitigation strategies and techniques.
• Become knowledgeable of all legislative enactments related to utility risk issues and advise the PSC about legislative issues, reports and presentations which may be required.

In addition to the foregoing functions, you will also be expected to perform other duties as assigned, which may include:

• Examine regulated company reports, records and books; analyze, evaluate and interpret accounting, statistical and financial information, and determine compliance with PSC orders and rules.
• Monitor financial and administrative activities of regulated companies, analyze monthly and quarterly reports, track whether the authorized rate of return is exceeded, recovery of fuel costs is within allowable limits, identify variances from previous submissions, and determine reasons for observed deviations.
• Plan, conduct and coordinate audits.
• Prepare summaries of party positions, provided in testimony or at public hearings.
• Verify mathematical and accounting accuracy of company reports and that the rate of return is within approved limits; perform statistical analysis, calculate percentages and standard costs.
• Write memos and reports and perform assigned special projects, such as literature searches for precedents or customized analysis.
• Check that regulated companies file all required reports.
• Conduct independent research to analyze, examine, organize, document, and establish regulatory positions pertinent to rate structures, changes in utilities technology, mergers and other related business proposals, delivery of services, authorities, and all other regulatory matters.
• Examine, evaluate and prepare engineering-economic cost studies; perform econometrics investigations; gather data and information on cost modeling.
• Draft summaries and reports for dockets filed with the PSC.

Minimum Qualification

• Business

• Accounting

• Finance

• Economics

• Engineering

• Risk Management

• Law Degree

• Work Experience in risk management, Insurance or other analytic related fields
  
  

Why You Should Join Our Team. Besides working for a fantastic agency that is dedicated to helping the citizens of Utah, you will receive great health and retirement benefits Click here to view a summary of benefits we offer. We also provide generous paid time off so you can spend more time with your family and have a positive work-life balance.

Additional Benefits. Working with other professionals in accounting, finance, economics, engineering, and law and being part of an efficient, professional, and great team environment. Ability to accrue 22.75 days of vacation and 13 sick days the first year of employment. Ability to work remotely up to 3 days per week.

Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.

Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.

This position is currently a hybrid of both in-office and remote work days. Please note, a position's eligibility for remote work is established by agency management and is subject to change at their discretion at any time and for any reason.