Regulatory Financial Analyst

About Us:

The Ohio Consumers' Counsel advocates and educates to secure for Ohioans affordable, reliable, and equitable residential utility services that are essential to their well-being.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel, the State's voice for millions of Ohio residential utility consumers, seeks an employee with a passion for public service to serve as Regulatory Financial Analyst in the Analytical Department.  This position is an opportunity to help consumers, including at risk and low income Ohioans, regarding their electric, natural gas, telephone, and water utility services.  Since the legislature created the agency in 1976, we have sought lower utility bills and reliable utility service for residential consumers.  At OCC, we put Consumers First.

We currently offer a hybrid work environment.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

 The preferred candidate will have 5+ years of experience in utility regulation.  This experience should include familiarity with utility regulatory proceedings, accounting, finance, rate-making principles, economics, and/or equivalent experience. Candidates should be familiar with working with and synthesizing large datasets.

Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s degree in business administration, accounting, finance, or economics or other related degree. A graduate degree is preferred. Applicants should demonstrate excellence in oral and written communications, including persuasive writing and making technical issues understandable. A thorough knowledge of Microsoft Office programs (including Excel, S&P Global, Word, and Outlook, SQL- a plus), online research, and other technology used in consumer advocacy is expected.

What You'll Do:

This position involves, among other things, research, analysis, technical and persuasive writing, and written and oral presentations for utility consumer advocacy in such forums as the PUCO and FERC.  Written and oral presentations can include testimony and cross-examination in hearings.  The employee will work with analysts, attorneys, retained experts, and others on projects, including legal cases, for consumer protection.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities:

• Analyze and dissect complex economic issues in utility filings.
• Deep dive into revenue requirements, including rate base, O&M, depreciation, and taxes.
• Assess the impact of proposed rate changes on consumer bills.
• Represent OCC as a witness in regulatory proceedings (standard rate cases, alternative ratemaking, grid modernization, capex riders, etc.).
• Leverage your financial expertise to analyze financial statements and return on equity models (i.e., CAPM, DCF).
• Utilize industry-leading market intelligence platforms to stay ahead of trends (S&P Global).
• Collaborate with PUCO, utilities, and consumer advocates to reach fair settlements.
• Become familiar with PJM energy and capacity markets including standard service offers (SSO/SCO) auctions.
• Manage and improve a database of historical tariffs.
• Assist in crafting public comments and legal discovery requests.
• Build strong relationships with regulators and advocate for consumer interests.
• Stay current on industry developments through conferences and training (EUCI, EEI Rate School).
• Partner effectively with legal, public affairs, and operations departments.
• Share your expertise and insights with leadership.

·         Guide and mentor analytical department interns.

What’s in it for you:

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

Flexible Hybrid Schedule

·         Enjoy a work-life balance with remote work Monday-Wednesday and in-office Thursday and Fridays.

Location

·         65. E. State St. (Capitol Square Building)

Modern Workspace

·         Nice offices, access to a comfortable and collaborative building lounge.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)

·         The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is a qualifying employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF)        program.

Medical Coverage

• Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits are offered through the available Ohio Med plans. 

Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance

• Dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums are free after completed eligibility period. Length of eligibility period is dependent on union representation.

Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance

• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave 
• 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth/Adoption leave

Employee Development Funds

• The  State of Ohio offers a variety of educational and professional development funding that varies based on whether you are a union-exempt employee or a union-represented employee.

Ohio Public Employees Retirement System

• OPERS is the retirement system for State of Ohio employees.  The employee contributes 10% of their salary towards their retirement.  The employer contributes an amount equal to 14% of the employee’s salary.  Visit the OPERS website for more information.

Deferred Compensation

• The Ohio Deferred Compensation program is a 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan. Visit the Ohio Deferred Compensation website for more information.

The Office of the Ohio Consumers' Counsel is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.  To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability please contact Laurie Knight at Laurie.Knight@occ.ohio.gov.