Director of Rates and Markets
Organization: New Hampshire Office of the Consumer Advocate
Posted: 12/19/2023
City: Concord
Location: New Hampshire
Country: United States
Primary Category: Regulatory / Policy
Subcategories: : Accounting, Economics, Energy, Engineering, Legal, Financial, Research
Type of Position: Full-Time
DESCRIPTION & DETAILS
The Office of the Consumer Advocate has, by statute, “the power and duty to…appear or intervene in any proceeding…in which the interests of residential utility customers are involved.”
We appear as a party in all major proceedings at the New Hampshire Public Utilities Commission. We represent the interests of New Hampshire ratepayers regionally and federally as well.
Job Overview
This position reports directly to the Consumer Advocate, supporting and defending the interest of residential ratepayers in access to utility service at cost.
Job Responsibilities
- Directs aspects of the representation of residential utility ratepayers in significant adjudicative and rulemaking dockets before the Public Utilities Commission and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, as well as participation before the Legislature, and Courts as necessary. Analyzes, develops, and advocates the Consumer Advocate’s position on issues of regulatory policy. Authors and reviews expert testimony and discovery and testifies orally. Also undertakes communications with the public regarding utility rates and markets and with the Office of the Consumer Advocate’s statutorily structured Advisory Board, and represents the Office of the Consumer Advocate in regional forums.
- Assists the Consumer Advocate in administration of the agency and performs the duties of the Consumer Advocate in his/her absence, ensuring prompt response on urgent matters.
- Supervises and provides training for professional and technical staff in the study, analysis, research and reporting of results on regulatory issues. Evaluates the work product of staff and prepares performance evaluations.
- Participates in the development of Administrative Rules, agency policies and strategies relevant to the New Hampshire electric, telecom, natural gas and water industries and provides comments to the Commission on appropriateness and applicability.
- Maintains important and continuous contact with officials of public utility companies or their representatives; consumers; state, regional and federal officials; and special interest groups in the exchange, development and analysis of information on which public utility policy, strategic planning and rates are based.
- Monitors developments at and testifies before the legislature and the Commission on utility matters. Prepares and presents addresses and lectures to regional and national association meetings and institutes and serves on regional and national committees.
- Develops and supervises the development of the agency’s position on rate-related competitive market development and regulated utility rate case petitions, including cost of capital, decoupling, utility restructuring and other market-related proposals.
- Writes testimony and prepares exhibits on complex utility matters based on analysis of utility filings including the effect of proposed adjustments; defends testimony and exhibits under oath during direct testimony and cross-examination.
- Analyzes current retail and wholesale market conditions and industry trends and makes recommendations on the anticipated impact of such changes on residential utility customers.
- Examines and evaluates testimony and exhibits submitted by regulated companies applying for rate changes, using information from audits, written information requests, company testimony in other cases, prior Commission orders, statutes, publications, and other sources.
Disclaimer Statement: The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that classification.
For further information please contact Donald M. Kreis, Consumer Advocate at Donald.M.Kreis@oca.nh.gov or 603-271-1174.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Master’s degree from a recognized college or university with major study in accounting, business, economics, engineering, finance, or law.
Experience: Seven years’ experience with regulatory agency, public utility or consulting firm of utilities or municipalities, four years of which must have been in a management level position involving administrative or supervisory duties concerned with program administration, program planning and evaluation or related management experience.
OR
Education: Bachelor’s degree from a recognized college or university with major study in economics, finance, business, engineering, accounting, or law.
Experience: Eight years’ experience with regulatory agency, public utility or consulting firm of utilities or municipalities, four years of which must have been in a management level position involving administrative or supervisory duties concerned with program administration, program planning and evaluation or related management experience.
License/Certification: None required.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATION: Preference will be given to candidates that hold a Master’s degree or PhD. Experience in regional market analysis preferred.
HOW TO APPLY
Enter “Director of Rates and Markets” under “Job Title” at the New Hampshire State Jobs portal, HERE.
Interested persons are welcome to contact the Consumer Advocate at 603.271.1174 or Donald.M.Kreis@oca.nh.gov. To seek the position officially, it is necessary to submit a formal application through the portal. Before an applicant is considered, the State Division of Personnel reviews their application and certifies in writing whether the applicant meets the minimum educational and experience requirements.
Visit the State of NH Employee Benefits website to learn more about benefits, and the salary scales: https://www.das.nh.gov/hr/benefits.aspx