Utility Analyst - Engineering
Indianapolis, IN, US, 46131
Work for Indiana
Begin a fulfilling career with the State of Indiana by joining one of the largest employers in the state, offering a range of opportunities across 60+ agencies. At the state, you'll find competitive compensation, a robust benefits package and a commitment to work-life balance. Most importantly, you'll have the chance to make a real and measurable impact on the lives of Hoosiers across Indiana.
About the Indiana Office of Utility Consumer Counselor (OUCC):
The OUCC’s mission is to represent all Indiana consumers to ensure quality, reliable utility services at the most reasonable prices possible through dedicated advocacy, consumer education, and creative problem-solving.
Role Overview:
This position will assist the OUCC in its mission to represent utility customers in matters before the Indiana Utility Regulatory Commission (“IURC”) by applying engineering and operations principles, practices, and standards in planning, overseeing, and performing reviews of utility infrastructure, capital improvement plans, asset management, preliminary engineering reports, environmental issues, designs and operational and maintenance (“O&M”) practices of electric utilities.
OUCC engineering analysts conduct detailed analyses and draft testimony regarding the reasonableness of utility: capital plans and cost recovery mechanisms for capital expenditures; construction budgets and system performance relative to rate base increases; and justification of tracker mechanisms and other proposals to fund utility plant replacement or new construction. The selected candidate will plan and perform a review of utility books and records, plant, equipment, filed testimony, environmental issues, and other information.
The position works as a professional for the Division and Agency. Duties are performed with limited to moderate supervision and require self-motivation, discipline, and initiative. The individual is expected to serve primarily as a skilled technical witness in utility rate making, matters of public policy, and acceptable operational standards.
Salary Statement:
The salary for this position traditionally starts at $70,844.00 but may be commensurate with education and job experience.
A Day in the Life:
- Develops skilled, technical opinions through analyses of all relevant utility applications, petitions, testimony, schedules, and exhibits.
- Evaluates existing utility operations and related infrastructure for adequacy, reliability, and regulatory compliance, including O&M practices to ensure ongoing, timely, and cost-effective operations.
- Participates in the appraisal, evaluation, and depreciation studies of utility properties and engineering cost studies to evaluate compliance with ratemaking principles.
- Analyzes utility’s infrastructure improvement proposals for adequacy, cost reasonableness, risk, and prudency. Reviews the utility’s managerial and technical performance and provides recommendations for approval, modification, or denial by analyzing construction, maintenance, and operating cost data.
- Gathers information through written data requests, onsite inspections, and other research methods, as necessary, to build case foundations, contribute to case development and strategy, and develop conclusions.
- Utilizes computer models and engineering applications to analyze information regarding various aspects of utility operations to be used in policy making, rate cases, staff training, or long-range resource planning by coordinating all the data gathered and applying acceptable analytical techniques.
- Reviews engineering data contained in petitions and service modification requests to determine compliance with engineering standards and federal and state regulations to make recommendations on adequacy of service by reading the available data and applying the appropriate evaluation criteria.
- Prepares high-quality, persuasive testimony and exhibits to support OUCC case positions and make recommendations.
- Serves as case team leader and a significant contributor— responsible for addressing multiple issues.
- Conducts research projects concerning public utility regulation issues by determining objectives, collecting and analyzing data, forming conclusions based on research and analysis, and summarizing and documenting results.
- Consistently provides articulate oral testimony under cross-examination on behalf of the OUCC before the IURC.
- Takes appropriate decisive action to achieve agency and division goals and objectives.
- Works with multi-disciplinary project teams that include attorneys, economists, accountants, engineers, and other specialists.
- Proactively maintains the required level of professional knowledge through timely review of modifications to principles, standards, federal and state laws, and legal decisions.
- Possesses the ability to perform duties in a confidential and professional manner.
- Contribute to the achievement of overall agency and division goals.
- Review current utility regulatory practices and theories.
- Engage in continuous personal and professional development.
- All other duties as assigned.
What You'll Need for Success:
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or engineering technology.
- Knowledge of and experience with rules and guidelines pertaining to the electric utility industry including electric distribution and transmission systems.
- Ability to make objective and well-reasoned recommendations.
- Possess: strong written and verbal skills; the ability to work independently and in teams to meet deadlines; and the ability to produce work product in a well-organized manner.
- Extensive computer skills in Microsoft Office products.
- Ability to work on and/or manage multiple cases simultaneously.
- Ability to summarize and communicate complex technical issues.
- Able to work under stressful situations and occasionally adversarial conditions, such as cross-examination and short timelines.
Benefits of Employment with the State of Indiana:
The State of Indiana offers a comprehensive benefit package for full-time employees which includes:
- Three (3) medical plan options (including RX coverage) as well as vision and dental plans
- Wellness Rewards Program: Complete wellness activities to earn gift card rewards
- Health savings account, which includes bi-weekly state contribution
- Flexible work scheduling options, including the potential for hybrid remote work for employees whose work may be performed outside state facilities
- Deferred compensation 457(b) account (similar to 401(k) plan) with employer match
- Two (2) fully-funded pension plan options
- A robust, comprehensive program of leave policies covering a variety of employee needs, including but not limited to:
- 150 hours of paid New Parent Leave and up to eight weeks of paid Childbirth Recovery Leave for eligible mothers
- Up to 15 hours of paid community service leave
- Combined 180 hours of paid vacation, personal, and sick leave time off
- 12 paid holidays, 14 on election years
- Education Reimbursement Program
- Group life insurance
- Referral Bonus program
- Employee assistance program that allows for covered behavioral health visits
- Qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program
- Free Parking for most positions
- Free LinkedIn Learning access
Equal Employment Opportunity:
The State of Indiana is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to recruiting, selecting, developing, and promoting employees based on individual ability and job performance. Reasonable accommodations may be available to enable individuals with disabilities to complete the application and interview process as well as perform the essential functions of a role. If you require reasonable accommodations to complete this application, you can request assistance by contacting the Indiana State Personnel Department at jobs@spd.IN.gov.
Nearest Major Market: Indianapolis
