Economist

State of New Mexico; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of New Mexico's Public Regulation Commission is seeking an Economist in the Economics Bureau to prepare and present analyses in regulatory cases. You will provide expert testimony, develop evidence, and support energy and utility policy discussions.

The ideal candidate has a background in economics or statistics and can work both in teams and independently while meeting deadlines. This role involves engaging with utilities, customers, and other stakeholders in a dynamic regulatory

Qualifications

• Associate degree plus two years of experience in database manipulation, statistical analysis, or spreadsheet/software usage.
• Education/experience combinations may substitute for the required education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Present written and oral testimony as an expert witness.
• Prepare responses to interrogatories from various parties in cases.
• Coordinate and participate in team meetings to discuss issues and reach consensus.
• Collaborate with in-house attorneys assigned to cases and provide utility compliance review.

Skills

Written & oral communication

Deadline driven

Teamwork / independent work

Interest in utility industry

Education

Associate degree in Economics, Statistics, or Business Administration

Job description

Posting Details

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)

1. express complex matter clearly in writing and orally,
2. meet deadlines,
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.