Economist

New Mexico Public Regulation Commission; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission seeks a Public Utilities Economist to provide economic analyses, prepare evidence for cases, and support utility regulation decisions in Santa Fe. The role emphasizes written and oral communication, data-driven analysis, and collaboration with attorneys and staff.

Ideal candidates will have experience with financial or economic analyses in utility contexts, strong writing skills, and the ability to work in teams or individually while learning a rapidly

Qualifications

• Associate Degree in Economics, Statistics, or Business Administration and two years of experience in data analysis or spreadsheet usage.
• Ability to express complex matters clearly in writing and orally.
• Willingness to work in a team or independently and to learn about evolving utility industries.

Responsibilities

• Present evidence and analyses in cases before the Commission, including responses to interrogatories.
• Coordinate and participate in team meetings to reach consensus on issues.
• Collaborate with in-house attorneys and perform utility regulatory analyses and reviews.

Skills

Economic analysis

Oral communication

Written communication

Teamwork

Education

Associate Degree in Economics/Statistics/Business Administration

Tools

Statistical software

Spreadsheet analysis

Database manipulation

Job description

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission serves New Mexico by ensuring safe operations and reliable utility services at fair, just, and reasonable rates consistent with the State's legal, economic, environmental, and social policies.

This posting will be used for ongoing recruitment and may close at any time. Applicant lists may be screened more than once.

Why does the job exist?

The Public Utilities Economist in the Economics Bureau plays a key role in the preparation and presentation of evidence and analyses in cases before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The position provides expertise concerning but not limited to utility capital structure, return on equity, debt financing, allocation of costs to rate classes and rate design. The Public Utilities Economist in the Economics Bureau also addresses utility renewable energy procurement plans, energy efficiency program plans, transportation electrification plans, grid modernization, community solar, and may assist in resource acquisition and abandonment matters, and other matters as necessary.

How does it get done?

Presentation under oath of both written and oral testimony as evidence, as well as cross-examination as an expert witness in a quasi-judicial setting. Preparation of responses to interrogatories from various parties in cases. Preparation of interrogatories to utility companies or other parties to obtain information necessary for review and analyses of utility cases. Coordination of and/or participation in team meetings to discuss and reach consensus on litigated issues in utility cases. Collaboration with in-house attorneys assigned to cases. Utility compliance review. Presentation of utility matters. Other responsibilities as necessary.

Who are the customers?

The Utility Division serves as advocacy staff to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission by representing the public interest in the regulation of electric, natural gas, water, wastewater and telecommunication matters. The public interest, as defined by law, seeks to balance the interests of consumers with those of utility investors.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have education and/or experience with financial and/or economic analyses, generally, and preferable in utility regulation, specifically. The ideal candidate will possess the skills required to:

(1)express complex matter clearly in writing and orally,

(3) work successfully in either a team environment or individually, and

(4) have an interest in learning about a rapidly evolving utility industry.

Associate Degree in Economics, Statistics, or Business Administration and two (2) years of experience in database manipulation, statistical analysis, or spreadsheet and/or statistical software usage. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

Drivers license and background check prior to hire.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.