The purpose of this position is to plan, organize, direct, and evaluate the activities of the multi-disciplinary staff of the Economic Analysis Unit of the Commission to assure that Commissioners have the information necessary to make informed regulatory decisions in an orderly and timely fashion. The general areas of focus of the Unit are issues related to rate design; resource acquisition; utility planning, programs and tariffs; and telecommunications.  Specific topic areas include resource planning, power purchase agreements, renewable resource and environmental compliance, co-generation and distributed generation, energy efficiency rates and related financial incentives, renewable standards compliance and rate options, service quality and reliability, affordability programs, distribution grid planning, grid modernization, natural gas innovation plans, and electric service territories.

This position is eligible for a hybrid telework arrangement. With a telework arrangement, onsite attendance will be required for team members or as requested by management to meet business needs. Completion of a telework agreement will be required. Please review the Telework Policy for details.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or related field or Law degree; AND a combination of six (6) years of professional-level experience in government, the utility industry, or other entity with primary focus on utility regulation or issues.

OR

Seven (7) years of professional-level experience related to electric, natural gas, and/or telecommunication utility services with a focus on regulatory issues.

• Successful completion of the State of Minnesota’s Emerging Leadership Institute (ELI) or Senior Leadership Institute (SLI) or an equivalent leadership program may substitute for one year of advanced professional experience.
• Master's degree in public utility regulation and/or economics related field may substitute for one year of experience.
• Doctorate degree in public utility regulation and/or economics related field may substitute for two years of experience.

In addition to the above, applicants must have:

• Demonstrated extensive knowledge of utility rate regulation and utility operations including rules, decisions, practices, and procedures.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor a team
• Experience as a lead worker providing guidance to professional staff
• Ability to comprehend and correctly apply, interpret, and analyze complex written material.
• Human relations skills and cultural sensitivity sufficient to establish effective relationships with various regulatory agencies and staff.  Ability to work effectively with public utility companies, energy industry stakeholders, the general public, and diverse communities.
• Effective and persuasive written and oral communication skills sufficient to present material to decision makers and be an effective public speaker in formal proceedings and negotiations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Policy, Public Administration, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Statistics or related field or Law degree.
• Experience in a supervisory position
• Demonstrated success in mentorship and/or managing teams
• Demonstrated project management skills
• Demonstrated ability to review and edit written materials on regulatory or policy issues 
• Experience with diverse communities and Native American issues
• Understanding of regulation of natural gas, electric, and/or telecommunication industry in Minnesota
• Variety of experiences working effectively with others from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional Requirements

This position requires successful completion of a reference check and background screening.

About Public Utilities Commission

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) regulates three cornerstone service industries in Minnesota's economy, i.e., electricity, natural gas and telephone. The Commission’s mission is to create and maintain a regulatory environment that ensures safe, adequate and efficient utility services at fair, reasonable rates consistent with State telecommunications and energy policies. It does so by providing independent, consistent, professional and comprehensive oversight and regulation of utility service providers. One of the key functions of the commission in performing this mission is to balance the private and public interests affected in each docket, and to make decisions that appropriately balance these interests in a manner that is “consistent with the public interest.”

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