Job Details

Introduction

The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is seeking a Utilities Examiner 1 position who will support OCC's mission to advocate for the interests of customers of public services, including electricity, natural gas, public water, telecommunications, and broadband.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

• Visit our newState Employee Benefits Overview page!
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• A healthy work/life balance!
• Thirteen(13) paid holidays each calendar year.

Position Highlights

• The position will be located at Ten Franklin Square, New Britain, CT 06051, and offers a hybrid (telework/office) work schedule. This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position, Monday - Friday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
• The position will report to OCC's Supervisor of Utility Financial Analysis.
• The selected candidate will play a crucial role providing financial, technical and accounting expertise and oversight in a wide range of proceedings before the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, the Federal Energy & Regulatory Commission, the Connecticut Siting Council, and potentially other forums to conduct investigations and audits into the regulated electric, gas, and water utilities, and telecommunications companies as well as third-party suppliers, and other energy providers.
• OCC is seeking an applicant with accounting or finance experience and interest in evaluating rate increase applications and capital and infrastructure planning of electric, gas and water regulated entities, as well as evaluating the financial and accounting aspects of performance-based-regulation (PBR) initiatives in Connecticut.
• The applicant will be part of the agency's technical staff that is comprised of motivated, highly skilled people trained in a variety of technical fields such as accounting, finance, economics and rate design, as well as work with attorneys with backgrounds in energy and utility law, and will participate in utility proceedings in the electric, gas, water, telecom, and cable industries.

About Us

OCC is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications.

The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved.

In addition to representing consumer interests before PURA, the OCC participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts, and promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums.

The Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. The OCC is engaged in investigating, evaluating, and providing recommendations on innovative energy policies and programs and utility regulation in Connecticut. The OCC's work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Water rates, system infrastructure improvements, and resource planning;
• Energy infrastructure and electric system modernization (e.g., gas pipelines; electric transmission lines);
• Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates;
• Energy efficiency and demand response;
• Utility service quality and storm response;
• Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization;
• Electric vehicles and energy storage;
• Policy development on issues relating to electricity, natural gas, and water;
• Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy.

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:

Check out our Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources? Visit our Applicant Toolkit for additional support throughout the recruitment process.

BEFORE YOU APPLY:

• Meet Minimum Qualifications: Ensure you meet the Minimum Qualifications listed on the job opening by the job closing date. You must specify your qualifications on your application. The minimum experience and training requirements listed must be met by the close date on the job opening, unless otherwise specified.
• Educational Credits: List your earned credits and degrees from accredited institutions accurately on your application. To receive educational credits towards qualification, the institution must be accredited. If the institution of higher learning is located outside of the U.S., you are responsible for providing documentation from a recognized USA accrediting service which specializes in determining foreign education equivalencies to the contact listed below by the closing date listed on the job posting.
• Resume Policy: Per Public Act 21-69, resumes are not accepted during the initial application process. As the recruitment process progresses, candidates may be required to submit additional documentation to support their qualification(s) for this position. This documentation may include: a cover letter, resume, transcripts, diplomas, performance reviews, attendance records, supervisory references, licensure, etc., at the request and discretion of the hiring agency.
• Preferred Shift/Location: Select all location(s) and shift(s) you are willing to work on your application. Failure to do so may result in not being considered for vacancies in that specific location or shift.
• Timely Submission: All application materials must be received by the job posting deadline. You will be unable to make revisions once you officially submit your application to the State. Late submissions are rarely accepted, with exceptions only for documented events that incapacitate individuals during the entire duration of the job posting. Request exceptions by emailing ...@ct.gov.
• Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

• Note: The only way to apply to this posting is via the 'Apply' or 'Apply Online' buttons on the official State of Connecticut Online Employment Center job posting.

AFTER YOU APPLY:

• Some email providers may experience delays or issues delivering messages. To avoid missing important updates-such as referral questionnaires or interview scheduling links-please check your Personal Status Board regularly.
• For added convenience, you can also enable text (SMS) notifications. To do this, log in to your Personal Status Board and select "Update My Contact Information."
• Referral Questions: This posting may require completion of additional Referral Questions (RQs), which must be completed by the questionnaire's expiration date. If requested, RQs can be accessed via an email sent to you after the job close date or by visiting your JobAps Personal Status Board (Certification Questionnaires section).

• Prepare For An Interview: Interviews are limited to those whose experience and training are most aligned with the role. To prepare, review this helpful Interview Preparation Guide to make the best impression!
• Stay connected! Log in daily to your JobAps Personal Status Board to track your status and check email (including spam/junk folders) for updates and tasks.
• The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.
• Note: This position will be filled in accordance with contractual language, reemployment, SEBAC, transfer, promotion and merit employment rules. Candidates who are offered and accept a position with the State of Connecticut are bound by the State Code of Ethics for Public Officials and State employees, available at www.ct.gov/ethics.

QUESTIONS? WE'RE HERE TO HELP:

Due to high volume, we are unable to confirm receipt or provide status updates directly. For recruitment updates, please check your Personal Status Board and review our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have additional questions about the recruitment process, reach out to Nick Naples at ...@ct.gov.

Join the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!

PURPOSE OF JOB CLASS (NATURE OF WORK)

In the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Office of Consumer Counsel and the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the analysis, interpretation and evaluation of complex financial statements and statistical exhibits submitted by public utilities companies.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

• Examines and audits books and records of utilities subject to regulation;
• Interprets and evaluates complex financial statements and statistical exhibits submitted by utilities in rate cases;
• Conducts cross examination of witnesses on financial exhibits submitted in rate and other proceedings;
• Represents agency at formal hearings;
• Analyzes, interprets and evaluates financial statements and technical exhibits submitted by utilities in rate and other proceedings;
• Reviews annual reports of utility companies;
• Assists in the development and maintenance of financial and accounting models;
• Assists in the development of financial and statistical files concerning various utilities subject to regulation;
• Assists in the review of proposed security issuances by Connecticut utilities in light of current securities markets and appropriate utility capital structures;
• Drafts interrogatories and audit data requests based on utility company filings;
• Assists in preparation of briefs;
• Write summaries of accounting and financial information for explanatory materials;
• May independently conduct complex examination and analysis;
• May serve as an expert witness;
• Performs related duties as required;
• May supervise, schedule, assign, oversee and review work of employees of lower grade.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

• Considerable knowledge of accounting and auditing principles and practices;
• Knowledge of
  • and ability to apply laws and regulations pertaining to public utilities;
  • utility accounting practices;
• Skills
  • interpersonal skills;
  • oral and written communication skills;
• Considerable ability to analyze and evaluate financial statements, accounting forms and accounting methods and procedures;
• Ability to utilize computer software.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Seven (7) years of experience in accounting or auditing.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SPECIAL EXPERIENCE

One (1) year of the General Experience must have been at the professional working level of Accounts Examiner or Accountant.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

• College training in accounting may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (l5) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.
• A Master's degree in business, accounting or finance may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.
• Certification in any one of the following may be substituted for one (1) additional year of experience: Certified Public Accountant, Certified Internal Auditor.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• A bachelor's degree in accounting, finance, business administration, business analytics, or economics.
• An MBA, CPA, CFA, or other relevant advanced degree or certification.
• Experience or coursework in forensic accounting.
• Experience researching, analyzing, or auditing companies
• Strong background in financial statement analysis
• Working experience or extensive coursework in utility regulation or energy policy.
• Experience with public utility finance or accounting principles.
• Experience applying Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).
• Experience writing technical reports, white papers, position papers, policy papers, regulatory documents, or academic articles for a general audience that provide conclusions or recommendations supported by documented evidence.
• Experience conducting quantitative analysis.
• Experience interpreting technical, financial, or legal documents and communicating information to non-technical stakeholders.
• Experience working independently to prepare and issue reports.
• Experience working on two or more projects simultaneously, while adhering to deadlines.
• Experience using Microsoft Excel and creating graphs and charts from excel data.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all-inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.