City of Austin - JOB DESCRIPTION

Austin Energy Rates and Regulatory Manager

Under minimal direction, this position manages staff and provides functional oversight for Austin Energy (AE) in one or more areas associated with rates and pricing, energy analytics, and modeling. Serves as project manager on rate cases and represents AE and the City of Austin (COA) before the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT).  

1. Manages highly-complex rate and regulatory proceedings before the PUCT.
2. Manages and develops complex rate case adjustments.
3. Develops strategies to protect revenues and/or mitigate threats to AE’s financial integrity including deregulation and other external influences.
4. Prepares and reviews exhibits and testimony for rate cases and participates in the rate hearing and negotiation processes as AE’s expert witness in broad rate-making matters either through formal hearings or negotiated proceedings before the PUCT or other regulatory board.
5. Reviews the use of exhibits and testimony of AE and supporting witnesses to maintain consistency among witnesses in the current case and consistency with AE’s positions taken in previous cases.
6. Participates in the development of cross examination and rebuttal testimony to develop the most effective argument in support of AE’s case or appeal. Manages the attorneys in preparation of briefs before the PUCT and/or other regulatory bodies.
7. Develops analysis associated with the decision to undertake a rate case before the PUCT through review of financial performance, including analysis of the need and timing of its capital plan and operating plan.
8. Manages and advises outside consultants in the preparation of evidence to be presented before the PUCT and other regulatory bodies.
9. Applies laws, regulations, rules, and statues governed by the PUCT, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ), North American Electricity Council (NERC), and other applicable electric utility regulatory entities.
10. Serves as a liaison to the PUCT and other regulatory agency staff, consultants, auditors, public advocates, and AE personnel who are supporting the regulatory activity.
11. Manages and reviews summaries of rate case orders and regulatory pronouncements for AE executives.
12. Serves as AE’s representative in the general utility rate setting process, statutory revisions, changes in PUCT policies and other matters affecting AE’s regulatory operations.
13. Manages timely and accurate regulatory filings to the PUCT.
14. Serves as AE’s consultant to large key account customers.
15. Is responsible for modeling and impact studies for long-term financial planning, deregulation, and other potential threats or oppourtunities to enhance AE’s financial stability.

Responsible for the full range of supervisory activities including selection, training, evaluation, counseling, and recommendation for dismissal.  

• Knowledge of Public Utility Regulatory Act, PUCT Substantive Rules, and other applicable State and Federal laws.
• Knowledge of and rules pertaining to the PUCT applicable rate filing package.
• Knowledge of the PUCT procedural rules.
• Knowledge of the roles and responsibilities of the ERCOT, especially as it pertains to the wholesale energy market.
• Knowledge of the processes and theories used for public budgetary and financial policies.
• Knowledge of accounting concepts, principles, and practices.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes at the State, Federal, and Local level.
• Knowledge of transmission revenue requirements, rate design, and rate filing requirements.
• Knowledge of financial reporting and internal control systems.
• Knowledge of the operations of an integrated electric utility.
• Knowledge of potential financial, capital budgeting, and operational impacts of transition to retail access for electric services.
• Knowledge of utility ratemaking and cost of service study methodology.
• Knowledge of debt instruments, cash management and utility financing methods.
• Knowledge of forecasting models; econometric studies, analysis, and forecasting; and estimating methods and techniques.
• Knowledge of cost benefits analysis, feasibility studies, and net present value analysis methods.
• Knowledge of enterprise budgeting, financial planning, or accounting.
• Knowledge of preferred business practices.
• Knowledge of financial and budget systems and reporting.
• Knowledge of leadership/supervisory/management best practices.
• Knowledge of electric utility economics.
• Skill in project management.
• Skill in designing and maintaining complex spreadsheet and database models.
• Skill in development of presentations.
• Skill in effective oral and written communication.
• Skill in analyzing and interpreting complex financial records.
• Skill in using computers and related software applications.
• Skill in determining need and compiling, analyzing, and presenting financial information and data for management and City Council use.
• Ability to resolve problems or situations that require the exercising of good judgement.
• Ability to prepare complex and accurate financial reports.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other COA employees, regulatory agency staff, consultants, auditors, public advocates, and AE personnel who are supporting the regulatory activity.

• Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in Accounting, Business, Finance, Mathematics, Engineering, Economics, or another directly related field, plus six (6) years of experience in utility, regulatory accounting, or rate and regulatory processes, including two (2) years of experience which include supervisory or management experience.
• Graduation with a Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a directly related field may substitute for non-supervisory/management experience up to a maximum of one (1) year.