Energy Systems Analyst

Initial Posting Date:
05/16/2024

Application Deadline:
05/30/2024

Agency:
Public Utility Commission

Salary Range:
$6,318 - $9,737

Position Type:
Employee

Position Title:
Energy Systems Analyst

Job Description:

ATTENTION! For those looking for a career that helps make Oregon's energy utilities safer, more reliable and cost effective, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) has an excellent opportunity you don't want to miss! PUC has an opening for an Energy Systems Analyst to join our team in the Utility Safety, Reliability, and Security Division. A few of the current topics in front of the Commission that require engineering analysis include reliability implications of distributed energy resources, analysis of transmission capacity, interconnection regulations, wildfire mitigation impacts to risk and reliability and optimal system hardening, analysis of system investments during rate cases, and impact of increased local distributed resources on system safety and reliability.

Do you have in-depth knowledge and expertise in the natural gas or electric systems, utility transmission and distribution system operations or engineering, and enjoy working in a team and with the public? If this sounds like you and you desire to become a public steward and make your community a safer and more resilient place, then apply now!

Please Note: This position works in the classification of Utility and Energy Analyst 3 (UA3).

New employees to PUC who are Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) participating members (those meeting contribution/eligibility service-time requirements at time of hire) are paid within the PERS-AP salary range as follows (reflecting a 6.95% compensation increase for active PERS members):

UA3 PERS-AP Salary Range: $ 6,757 - $10,416 monthly

New employees to PUC who are not yet a PERS participating member, will receive the 6.95% compensation increase (6% employee contribution) upon meeting eligibility for PERS participation (generally, after completion of six-months of qualifying State of Oregon employment).

About the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC):

Celebrating more than 150 years of history, the PUC impacts nearly every household throughout the state. The agency's mission is to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable, and fairly-priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. More information about our vision and values can be found at: PUC Strategic Plan.

Our office is located in downtown Salem, in close proximity to the State Capitol, and we maintain a Portland satellite office. The PUC receives no state general funds and is funded through an assessment of the regulated natural gas, electric, telecommunication, and water utilities.

We pride ourselves on being a great place to work, learn, and grow professionally. As a State of Oregon agency, we offer a generous overall compensation package that includes:
Benefit plans that pay up to 99 percent of the premium for health-related coverage of employees and dependents.
Membership in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System retirement plan.
Eleven (11) paid holidays per year; 24 hours of personal leave per year; vacation leave that begins at 8 hours per month for employees; and sick leave earned at a rate of 8 hours per month.
If you have federal student loan debt, then you might benefit from the Student Loan Forgiveness Program. If you make 120 qualifying payments on your student loan while working full-time for a qualifying employer, your student loan debt may be forgiven.

More information about the PUC can be found online at: www.oregon.gov/PUC.

Hybrid-Remote Work:

Hybrid-Remote work promotes the health and safety of Oregonians, decreases the agency's impact on the environment and supports flexibility and work-life balance for PUC staff. The duties of this position may be performed remotely, and at our central office in Salem, and at the PUC's Portland satellite office. The ability to report to Salem and Portland is required when business or operational needs are necessary for onsite activities. Hybrid-Remote work may be provided to PUC staff in accordance with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), "Working Remotely" statewide policy. Currently, employees who live in the State of Oregon may request approval for hybrid-remote work (generally from the employee's personal residence). Requests for remote work, are evaluated based on the agency's business needs.

What you will do as an Energy Systems Analyst:

Provides expert analysis and recommendations on technical and operational issues related to transmission and distribution system costs, risks, and assets. In this capacity, the incumbent serves as a primary subject matter expert for evaluating regulatory issues, policies, and system adequacy or performance encompassing not only economic-focused rate making principles, but also the holistic electrical utility system theory, generally accepted engineering practices, current facilities, operational practices, and trends in utility equipment and operations, which informs the Commission's decision making and regulatory practices.

Major duties include:

Subject Matter Expertise (SME) for Utility Transmission and Distribution Systems: Provides technical analysis and expertise on utility operations, modeling, and geospatial analysis skills, knowledge of engineering codes, reliability and risk analysis, as well as asset management, risk management, resiliency analysis, and prudence review for large and small utility investments.
Participates in workshops and forums to increase knowledge and expertise related to evolving grid technology, risk, reliability and resilience analysis, energy procurement, and rate-setting/cost-allocation framework. Understands the physical and operational capabilities and limitations of systems. Applies developed expertise when participating in PUC dockets or policy development that are impacted by utility operations.
Interprets and applies the regulatory and compliance aspects of energy systems as overseen by various governing codes and overseen by state regulations.
Supports and advises staff to guide policy development regarding evolving energy issues including renewable generation, distributed energy resources and storage, clean energy plans, as well as emerging risk, reliability, and resilience issues.
System Reliability/Operations Expertise: Develops and maintains knowledge and operational understanding of relevant standards, codes, best practices, and other related policies.
Ensures utility operators comply with all applicable standards and meet related metrics: reviews trends and prepares and publishes an annual reliability report. Pursues corrective action with utilities to gain compliance with reliability standards.
As necessary, conducts research and analysis, and composes reports, written testimony, and may defend findings or recommendations in formal hearings.
Reviews utility wildfire mitigation plans and risk analysis methodology looking for inclusion of factors key to utility operations and/or issues required by statute and PUC rules, including the analysis performed on ignition reports filed by the utilities.
Reviews utility plans and performance including staffing, reliability and resilience results, mutual assistance, communication protocols, and spares.
Develop and implement strategies to assess and promote the resilience of energy and telecommunication providers in the event of an emergency or disaster. May include development of standards, metrics, reporting requirements and/or promulgation of rules. Must consider local, state, and tribal needs and resources.
Partner with PUC rates and policy staff when developing metrics and criteria for infrastructure investments.
Working conditions:

Employee works a professional workweek, which may entail work during evening or irregular hours to respond to emergencies affecting utility operators in the state.

As needed, may visit operators' facilities and attend meetings throughout the state of Oregon.

Therefore, statewide travel on an occasional basis is required, and may include driving in hazardous traffic and weather conditions. Possible exposure to contentious situations with the public in remote areas. May lift or carry up to 25 lbs. Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint). Work is completed under strict timelines and changing priorities.

What we are looking for:

A Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Physical Sciences, or a closely related degree AND four years of professional-level work experience applying utility system principles to the analysis and operations of utility Transmission and Distribution systems.

OR

Seven years of work experience applying utility system principles to the design and operations of utility Transmission and Distribution systems; four of which must have been at the professional-level.

A Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Physical Sciences, or a closely related degree will substitute for one year of the professional-level work experience.

A Doctorate degree in Engineering, Engineering Technologies, Physical Sciences, or a closely related degree will substitute for two years of the professional-level work experience.

The most competitive candidates will possess the following requested background, skills, and experience: (Note: You do not need to have education or work experience related to all the following requested skills to be considered for this position.) Currently licensed as a Professional Engineer (PE) by the State of Oregon.
Professional-level work experience assessing electric utility reliability.
Professional-level work experience assessing electric resource plans.
Work experience with relevant utility standards or utility specific construction standards based on the appropriate codes and requirements) and inspections as it applies to utility systems.
Work experience clearly documenting compliance of a given program against relevant specifications.
Work experience developing written comments and delivering verbal recommendations or proposals to inform or influence the decision makers of an organization.
Work experience, or advanced education, that provided opportunity for presenting technical information about utility operations to individuals or groups who may not have a strong technical background.
Work experience interacting with different levels of utility management in a diplomatic and respectful manner to resolve technical issues.
Professional-level work experience leading or managing technical projects.
Professional-level work experience conducting research, analysis, and composing reports.
How to Apply:

To submit a complete application, you must use the State of Oregon "Workday" recruitment system. Using the Workday system:

1) Create a Workday account OR login to your Workday account;

2) Complete and submit your electronic application; and

3) As an attachment to your Workday application upload your current resume.

The PUC will consider only complete applications submitted online by the closing date/time posted on this announcement.

**If you are a current employee of the State of Oregon, you MUST apply through your internal State of Oregon employee Workday account and attach the required material.**

For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website at:

www.oregon.gov/jobs

Questions/Need Help?

If you need assistance to participate in the application process, including an accommodation request under the Americans with Disabilities Act contact PUC Human Resource Analyst Jessica Leedham at ********

Veterans:

Eligible Veterans who meet the qualifications will be given Veterans' preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs at: ******** .

NOTE: If claiming Veterans' preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your "My Applications" section.

Additional Information about this recruitment: Candidates whose training and/or experience most closely match the requested skills and requirements of the position, and who attach all necessary documents may be eligible for an interview. Submissions will be screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level (clarity, conciseness, attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.).
If you are hired, you may be required to provide facts about past employment and present financial interests if they could be connected with the businesses regulated by the PUC.
The PUC does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three-days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security's I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.
This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates; this list will be used to fill the current opening and may be used to fill other openings as they occur.
The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.
For positions approved for hybrid/remote, demonstrate suitability for remote work, including access to a broadband internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements.

Enjoy Oregon's quality of life. Learn more about Oregon, and Salem, the state's Capitol:

https://www.travelsalem.com/

https://traveloregon.com

The PUC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.