Policy and Regulatory Analyst - Public Service Coordinator II

Location: Augusta,Maine,United States

GOVERNOR'S ENERGY OFFICE

Opening Date: August 15, 2024

Closing Date:  August 29, 2024

Job Class Code: CU32
Grade: 32
Salary: $77,896.00 - $110,073.60
Position Number: 095001162

Position Description:

The Policy and Regulatory Analyst serves as a key member of the Governor’s Energy Office (GEO) and will provide project management, support, and analysis on a wide variety of energy topics that come before the office. The GEO is the designated state energy office and serves as the primary advisor to the Governor on energy issues. The GEO seeks to advance energy solutions that are clean, affordable, and resilient for the benefit of all Maine people.

This position is responsible for coordinating and supporting the office’s efforts related to utility regulatory engagement, electric grid modernization, and electric sector transformation that is needed to enhance affordability and resilience and meet Maine’s clean energy and climate objectives. The work will include monitoring and engaging in utility regulatory and planning processes, providing analysis, and advising the office on policy related to utility matters and grid modernization. This will include supporting the office’s engagement with Maine’s utilities, the Maine Public Utilities Commission, and other stakeholders. 

Work will also include supporting the office’s engagement and leadership in utility-related matters needed to meet Maine’s goals, including  data and information access, grid modernization and expansion, utility regulation and performance, load management, interconnection, distributed energy resources, aggregation, equitable cost allocation and rate design, integrated utility planning, regional and local energy markets, regional collaboration, reliability and resiliency and potential changes in law and regulation.

Job Tasks:

• Analyze utility and other regulatory information including case filings, datasets, briefs, and other qualitative and quantitative material, to advise on the development of policy and regulatory positions and strategy to advance the goals of the office.
• Develop and implement engagement strategies and especially in technical venues, including but not limited to regulatory proceedings.
• Monitor and report on utility market trends at the state, regional, and global levels, and provide analysis and advise the office on policy related to energy and utility market matters.
• Support the GEO’s engagement in the Public Utilities Commission proceedings on related issues, with an emphasis on advancing the priorities of the office.
• Manage and support efforts around special projects and energy policy studies that seek to meet legislative requirements or priorities of the GEO.
• Coordination and management of processes involved with contracting, vendor engagement, and on-going operations.
• Represent GEO before myriad organizations and interests including the energy industry, associations, advocates, utilities, businesses, and others.
• Advise on communications and policy strategy, including drafting policy recommendations and briefing memorandums.
• Lead or support efforts related to seeking and administering additional funding as needed for related efforts.
• This work will include collaborating closely with other GEO and state agency staff, as well as other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities Required:

• Excellent analytical and research skills.
• Experience with energy markets and energy regulatory proceedings.
• Familiarity with grid modernization, integrated utility planning, smart grid technologies, and/or utility performance is preferred.
• Familiarity and ability to analyze and utilize various datasets (EIA, etc.)
• Strong communications and writing skills, and ability to communicate effectively with both internal and external audiences.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work as a member of a diverse and inclusive team.
• Strong organizational skills, including project and task management, and the ability to multitask and prioritize.
• Ability to build coalitions and develop partnerships with key stakeholders.
• Candidates with professional proficiency in additional languages are encouraged to note this in their application.