Pub Util Rates Analyst 3 or 4; Energy Infrastructure and Regional Analyst

State of Minnesota; Saint Paul (MN); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Minnesota, Commerce Department, Energy Regulation & Planning, seeks an Energy Infrastructure and Regional Analyst to analyze transmission and major energy projects, and draft recommendations for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The role will monitor regional and national energy markets, support advocacy, and collaborate with internal and external partners. Hybrid schedule with telework up to 50% and up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Experience writing regulatory, legal, or similar documents that advocate for a specific outcome before a decision‑making body.
• Experience analyzing projects for compliance with applicable rules, statutes, and regulations.
• Experience working on interdisciplinary teams.
• Strong written and oral communication to present findings and recommendations.
• Ability to develop and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Draft regulatory dockets and develop well-supported recommendations.
• Assess compliance with statutes, rules, and Commission orders.
• Support advocacy at regional and national energy organizations.
• Monitor developments at regional and national energy organizations and brief leadership.
• Help develop positions with internal and external partners.

Skills

Regulatory analysis

Written communication

Oral communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in related field (see Minimum Qualifications)

Advanced degree in related field

Job description

Working Title: Energy Infrastructure and Regional Analyst

Job Class: Public Utilities Rates Analyst 3 or 4

Agency: Commerce Department

• Job ID : 97949

• Location : St. Paul

• Telework Eligible : Yes

• Full/Part Time : Full-Time

• Regular/Temporary : Unlimited

• Who May Apply : Open to all qualified job seekers

• Date Posted : 10/24/2026

• Closing Date : 11/13/2026

• Hiring Agency/Seniority Unit : Commerce Dept / Commerce-MAPE

• Division/Unit : Energy Regulation & Planning

• Work Shift/Work Hours : Day Shift

• Days of Work : Monday - Friday

• Travel Required : Yes - Up to 25% of the time

• Salary Range:

• PURA3: $34.07 - $50.53 / hourly; $71,138 - $105,506 / annually

• PURA4 : $36.59 - $54.25 / hourly; $76,400 - $113,274 / annually

• Classified Status : Classified

• Bargaining Unit/Union : 214 - MN Assoc of Professional Empl/MAPE

• FLSA Status : Exempt - Professional

• Designated in Connect 700 Program for Applicants with Disabilities (https://mn.gov/mmb/careers/diverse-workforce/people-with-disabilities/connect700/) : Yes

The work you'll do is more than just a job.

At the State of Minnesota, employees play a critical role in developing policies, providing essential services, and working to improve the well-being and quality of life for all Minnesotans. The State of Minnesota is committed to equity and inclusion, and invests in employees by providing benefits, support resources, and training and development opportunities.

Hybrid work schedule available, up to 50% telework depending on business needs. Telework can be outside of the state of Minnesota if the candidate lives in a state bordering Minnesota and lives 50 miles or less from the primary work location. Primary work location will be the Golden Rule Building in St. Paul.

Internal candidates should contact Human Resources with questions.

The position is being posted at two (2) job class levels: Public Utilities Rates Analyst 3 (PURA3) and Public Utilities Rates Analyst 4 (PURA4). Final job class will be determined based on successful applicant's qualifications.

Travel: This position will require 25% travel for out of state and in state meetings.

This position will support Minnesota's energy advocacy across state, regional, and national forums. Within the state, you will analyze proposals for transmission and other major energy infrastructure projects and draft recommendations for the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission based on technical analysis. Regionally and nationally, you will track developments in markets, reliability, and transmission planning at organizations such as the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), North American Electric Reliability (NERC), and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and help build the state's positions before those bodies.

For both PURA3 and PURA4, responsibilities include:

• Drafting analysis of Certificate of Need and other energy infrastructure dockets and developing well-supported recommendations.

• Assessing compliance with applicable statutes, rules, and Commission orders.

• Supporting the Department's advocacy at regional and national energy organizations, including in work groups and stakeholder processes.

• Monitoring developments at regional and national energy organizations, synthesizing insights, and briefing leadership on what matters for Minnesota.

• Helping develop positions in collaboration with internal and external partners.

Additional responsibilities for the PURA4 include:

• Providing leadwork direction for all junior-level staff and directing and conducting investigations into large energy infrastructure and regional energy topics.

Minimum Qualifications

At the PURA3 Level:

Three (3) years of experience performing analysis, exercising judgment, and relying on knowledge in permitting, land-use planning or energy planning, environmental or energy policy, energy project development, energy markets, or other energy regulation-related fields.

A Bachelor's degree in Writing, History, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Electrical Engineering or a related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.

An Advanced degree in Writing, History, Law, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Electrical Engineering or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience. Credit will be granted based on the highest degree earned.

Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:

• Experience writing regulatory, legal, or similar types of documents that advocate for a specific outcome before a decision-making body. (e.g. legal briefs, formal comments, testimony, technical reports, resolutions, environmental assessments, findings of fact, or administrative enforcement determinations).

• Experience analyzing projects for compliance with applicable rules, statutes, and regulations.

• Experience working on interdisciplinary teams.

• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to write and present findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

At the PURA4 Level:

Four (4) years of experience performing analysis, exercising judgment, and relying on knowledge in permitting, land-use or energy planning, environmental or energy policy, energy project development, energy markets, or other energy regulation-related fields.

A Bachelor's degree in Writing, History, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Electrical Engineering or a related field is equivalent to one (1) year of experience.

An Advanced degree in Writing, History, Law, Environmental Science, Planning, Public Policy, Economics, Electrical Engineering or a related field is equivalent to eighteen (18) months of experience. Credit will be granted based on the highest degree earned.

Applicants who meet the above education/experience requirements will be further evaluated based on the following:

• Experience writing regulatory, legal, or similar types of documents that advocate for a specific outcome before a decision-making body. (e.g. legal briefs, formal comments, testimony, technical reports, resolutions, environmental assessments, findings of fact, or administrative enforcement determinations).

• Experience analyzing projects for compliance with applicable rules, statutes, and regulations.

• Experience managing complex projects, leading teams, and providing direction and mentorship to junior staff.

• Written and oral communication skills sufficient to write and present findings and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.

• Experience developing and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Preferred Qualifications

At the PURA3 Level:

• Advanced degree in Law, Energy Planning, Energy Policy, Energy Economics, Electrical Engineering, or a related energy field.

• Experience providing expert testimony or working on a contested case regulatory proceeding before a court.

• Knowledge of regional transmission planning, regional energy markets, or the regulatory landscape at the State, Regional Transmission Organization, and Federal level.

• Experience with energy infrastructure development, permitting, or regulation of large-scale energy projects.

• Experience with regional or national energy market and policy organizations, such as, MISO, SPP, NERC, or FERC.

• Experience advocating before decision-making bodies, such as, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Legislative Committees, or County Boards.

• Experience with GIS and Spatial Analysis.

At the PURA4 Level:

• Advanced degree in Law, Energy Planning, Energy Policy, Energy Economics, Electrical Engineering, or a related energy field.

• Experience providing expert testimony or working on a contested case regulatory proceeding before a court.

• Knowledge of regional transmission planning, regional energy markets, or the regulatory landscape at the State, Regional Transmission Organization, and Federal level.

• Experience with energy infrastructure development, permitting, or regulation of large-scale energy projects.

• Experience with regional or national energy market and policy organizations, such as, MISO, SPP, NERC, or FERC.

• Experience advocating before decision-making bodies, such as, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, Legislative Committees, or County Boards.

• Experience with GIS and Spatial Analysis.

Physical Requirements

Requires occasional moving of articles such as boxes, accounting records, laptop computer, and portable printer.

Additional Requirements

Job offer is contingent upon passing reference checks to verify job-related credentials, a criminal background check and drivers' license check prior to appointment.

AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

Minnesota State Colleges and Universities is an Equal Opportunity employer/educator committed to the principles of diversity. We prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their race, sex, color, creed, religion, age, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, or membership in a local commission as defined by law. As an affirmative action employer, we actively seek and encourage applications from women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals with protected veteran status.

Reasonable accommodations will be made to all qualified applicants with disabilities. If you are an individual with a disability who needs assistance or cannot access the online job application system, please contact the job information line at 651-259-3637 or email [e-mail] . Please indicate what assistance is needed.