Rates and Tariffs Section Manager

PowerLines; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) seeks a Section Manager for the Rates and Tariffs Section within the Regulatory Services Division. You will lead the Water, Solid Waste, and Transportation Unit (WST Unit C), guiding technical analysis, staff coaching, and day-to-day operations to support regulatory decisions.

The role requires expert knowledge in economics, accounting, regulatory theory, and tariffs, plus strong leadership, communication, and project management skills to

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge in economics, accounting, policy, or related field.
• Extensive experience in utility regulation and finance.
• Exceptional research, analysis, and regulatory review capabilities.
• Ability to lead projects and teams with accountability.
• Strong communication of complex concepts to diverse audiences.
• Independent judgment and developing recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor WST Unit staff and manage daily operations.
• Provide staff with professional development and training.
• Serve as SME on regulatory theory, cost of capital, tariffs.
• Provide objective recommendations on complex, high-impact issues in formal adjudications.
• Coordinate with Commissioners, staff, and external groups.
• Lead investigations and policy docket work.
• Identify and address emerging regulatory issues.

Skills

Economics

Financial accounting

Public policy

Public utility regulation

Statistics

Regulatory leadership

Communication

Job description

The UTC is seeking to fill the role of one (1) Section Manager within the Rates and Tariffs Section of the regulatory services Division.As the Section Manager of the Water, Solid Waste, and Transportation Unit (WST Unit C), you will lead the WST Unit by performing objective technical analysis; giving necessary recommendations for the commission’s decision-making processes; coaching staff that focus on water, solid waste, and transportation reviews; providing training and professional development to unit employees; and managing day-today operations of the unit.

The WST Unit is responsible for overseeing and regulating several transportation and utility industries across Washington State. The work includes monitoring:

• 54 solid waste companies serving 898,000 customers and earning $578,392,000 in annual revenue.

• 48 water companies serving approximately 50,000 customers, and earning $34,112,000.

• 281 household goods moving companies earning $122,391,000.

• 5 commercial ferries and 12 airporters, earning a combined total of $28,900,000.

Duties

What you’ll do:

The Section Manager supports WST Unit employees with their deliverables and managing daily operations of the unit. This role also provides staff with professional development opportunities by mentoring and training WST Unit employees on complex regulatory theory, policy topics, and filings. The successful incumbent will be expected to provide one-to-one coaching and performance feedback timely and in a virtual/hybrid environment.

The Section Manager is considered the WST Unit’s subject matter expert (SME) and resource on regulatory theory, cost of capital, accounting principles, ratemaking, and tariffs. This position is expected to provide the commission with objective recommendations on the most highly complex, politically sensitive, or impactful issues in formal adjudications, such as general rate case proceedings, through written, expert testimony.

Additional duties include, but aren’t limited to the following:

• Establishes, implements, and supports procedures for the efficient management of work within the Rates and Tariffs Section.

• Serves as part of a team, team lead or project manager to explore defined investigative, administrative or policy issues, initiated by the Commission, regulatory staff, or utility filings.

• Interacts with other internal managers, internal regulatory analysts, Commissioners and their policy advisors, administrative law judges, and various groups.

• Leads or participates as a team member to a policy docket.

• Initiates and leads complex and specialized staff investigations.

• Works collaboratively with staff to identify new, evaluate, and address new and emerging issues related to planning, policy, or regulatory standards.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

The commission values diverse career paths and recognizes that competencies may be acquired through a combination of education, training, certifications, research, volunteer service, lived experience, military service, professional practice, or other demonstrated accomplishments.

• Advanced knowledge in one or more of the following disciplines: economics, financial accounting, business administration, statistics, public utility regulation, public policy, or a closely related field.

• Applicants must also be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Extensive experience in utility regulation, economics, accounting, finance, business administration, public policy, law, engineering, transportation, environmental regulation, or a closely related field.

  • Exceptional mastery conducting complex research, analysis, investigations, policy development, regulatory review, program administration, or similar professional-level work.

  • Influences and accountability with large, complex projects, initiatives, teams, or programs, either in a supervisory, lead, project management, or informal leadership capacity.

  • Exceptional mastery in communicating complex technical, financial, policy, legal, or operational concepts to diverse audiences.

  • Expert proficiency in developing recommendations, resolving complex issues, and exercising independent judgment in a professional setting.

  • Thoughtful leadership through influencing and accountability with teams, and their outcomes.