Assistant Rate Specialist (Hybrid)

Introduction

\r\n\r\n\r\nThe State of Connecticut, Public Utilities Regulation Authority (PURA) is seeking an Assistant Rate Specialist to join their team in New Britain.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nWHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:\r\n\r\n\r\n Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!\r\n \r\n Professional growth and development opportunities\r\n A healthy work/life balance!\r\n Thirteen (13) paid holidays each calendar year.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\nPosition Highlights\r\n\r\n\r\n The schedule for this position is Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM.\r\n The Assistant Rate Specialist performs a range of technical, analytical, and customer service responsibilities related to the review and resolution of consumer complaints and inquiries concerning regulated utility services. This position is part of the Education and Outreach Unit within the Office of Education, Outreach, and Enforcement.\r\n A significant component of this position is direct customer service and complaint resolution. The Assistant Rate Specialist will communicate directly with customers by telephone, email, and other agency channels; obtain and document information regarding customer concerns; review utility account and service information; explain applicable utility requirements, programs, and processes; and work with customers and regulated utilities to facilitate the resolution of complaints and inquiries. The position may handle matters involving billing, rates, service quality, payment arrangements, energy assistance, reliability, metering, and other utility-related issues.\r\n The Assistant Rate Specialist will review complaints and related documentation, conduct research, gather and organize information from customers and utilities, identify issues requiring additional review or escalation, and assist with the examination of more complex complaints and utility matters. The incumbent may participate in investigations, audits, inspections, and other regulatory assignments and will prepare written summaries, analyses, correspondence, and other work products documenting findings and supporting staff review.\r\n The position will also support the agency's public education and outreach responsibilities. This may include communicating information about utility services, customer protections, energy affordability programs, and available assistance to members of the public; responding to inquiries; supporting outreach activities; and helping translate technical or regulatory information into clear information for customers and other non-technical stakeholders.\r\n The Assistant Rate Specialist may also support agency projects and proceedings associated with PURA’s implementation of its Equitable Modern Grid Initiative and provisions of Public Act 20-5, known as the “Take Back Our Grid” Act. Assignments may include supporting utility rate and service proceedings, examinations of electric utility distribution and interconnection practices, and inspections, audits, and investigations involving regulated electric, gas, water, and telecommunications companies.�\r\n The Assistant Rate Specialist may assist with research, data analysis, preparation of reports and other written work products, and preparation for formal hearings and other proceedings. These assignments provide the opportunity to apply the position’s customer service, technical, analytical, and regulatory skills to broader agency initiatives while supporting the agency’s consumer protection, regulatory, education, and outreach missions.\r\n\r\nAbout Us\r\n\r\nPURA is divided into multiple offices, each of which specialize in the execution of different portions of PURA’s broad statutory authority and mission statement to ensure safe, adequate, and reliable utility service at reasonable rates. PURA is responsible for regulating the many aspects of Connecticut's utility sectors, which can be categorized into three key buckets:\r\n\r\n\r\n1. Innovation\r\n\r\n\r\n Pursuing the prudent and innovative modernization of the electric, natural gas, and water systems through regulatory reform.\r\n\r\n\r\n2. Sustainability\r\n\r\n\r\n Directing the design and implementation of multiple clean energy programs including, renewable energy deployment, electric vehicle charging, battery storage, and innovation pilots in pursuit of Connecticut’s climate and energy policy goals; and\r\n Coordinating with diverse stakeholders including utilities, other state agencies, community advocates, environmental groups, developers, private industry, and citizens to ensure equitable and affordable access to all programs and services.\r\n\r\n\r\n3. Accountability\r\n\r\n\r\n Ensuring that the utilities charge only fair and equitable rates;\r\n Implementing performance-based regulation of the state’s utility companies;\r\n Overseeing investment in the state’s utility infrastructure to promote service quality, reliability, and safety; and\r\n Implementing federal requirements for natural gas pipeline safety.\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\n \r\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Selection Plan

FOR ASSISTANCE IN APPLYING:�\r\nCheck out our�Applicant Tips on How to Apply! Need more resources?� Visit our�Applicant Toolkit�for additional support throughout the recruitment process.�\r\nBEFORE YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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. �\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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.�\r\n 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�DAS.SHRM@ct.gov.�\r\n 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.�\r\n\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n\r\nAFTER YOU APPLY:�\r\n\r\n 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.\r\n 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.”\r\n 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).� �\r\n\r\n\r\n 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!�\r\n 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.��\r\n The immediate vacancy is listed above, however, applications to this recruitment may be used for future vacancies in this job class.��\r\n 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.\r\n\r\n\r\n This employer may participate in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I‑9 information to confirm work authorization.\r\n\r\nQUESTIONS? WE’RE HERE TO HELP:�\r\nDue 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 Nicholas.Naples@ct.gov.�\r\nJoin the State of Connecticut and take your next career step with confidence!\r\n

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 receiving training in analysis and research of electric, gas, water, telephone and cable television companies for the purpose of verifying rate structures in accordance with revenue allowed and improving rate design.\r\n

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

\r\n Receives generalized\r\n training in rate analysis;\r\n Performs studies,\r\n analysis and research of rate structure of various companies under jurisdiction\r\n of the Department;\r\n Reviews rate and tariff\r\n schedules for compliance with regulations and departmental findings and orders;\r\n Assists in preparation\r\n for staff participation in formal hearings before commission or agency;\r\n Reviews actions taken by\r\n regulatory or legislative bodies which have a bearing upon policies and\r\n practices of regulated companies;\r\n Assists in performance\r\n of economic analyses in area of rate structure design and impact on consumer;\r\n Performs related duties\r\n as required.\r\n \r\n\r\n

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

\r\n Knowledge of\r\n \r\n economic, financial and statistical\r\n methodologies used in analyzing rate structure;\r\n principles and practices of rate structure\r\n design;\r\n \r\n \r\n Skills\r\n \r\n interpersonal skills;\r\n oral and written communication skills;\r\n \r\n \r\n Ability to utilize\r\n computer software.\r\n\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

Five (5) years of professional experience in electric, gas, water, telecommunications or cable television regulatory matters.\r\n

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - SUBSTITUTIONS ALLOWED

\r\n College training may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one-half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree.\r\n A Master's degree in a closely related field may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.\r\n Successful completion of a\r\n Connecticut Careers Trainee program approved by the Department of\r\n Administrative Services may be substituted for the General Experience.\r\n\r\n

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

\r\n\r\n A Bachelor’s Degree.\r\n Experience working with the public in a regulatory, utility, government, social services, customer service, or other public-facing environment.\r\n Experience providing customer service and assisting with the resolution of customer inquiries, complaints, or requests for assistance by telephone, email, or other communication channels.\r\n Experience reviewing and interpreting technical, regulatory, policy, financial, or other specialized information and communicating that information to non-technical audiences.\r\n Experience researching and analyzing information from multiple sources to identify issues, trends, or conclusions.\r\n Experience preparing written communications, reports, summaries, or other documents that convey information, findings, or recommended actions.\r\n Experience assisting with the resolution of disputes or matters involving differing interests or positions among customers, businesses, utilities, government agencies, or other stakeholders, including gathering information, coordinating follow-up, and tracking outcomes.\r\n Experience independently managing two or more time-sensitive assignments, completing assigned responsibilities, and appropriately identifying matters requiring additional direction or escalation.\r\n\r\n\r\n

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

\r\n \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to travel.\r\n \r\n \r\n \r\n Incumbents in this class may be required to possess and retain a valid Motor Vehicle Operator’s license.\r\n \r\n\r\n

Conclusion

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER\r\nThe State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.\r\n

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

\r\nAs 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.\r\n\r\n