Regulatory Analyst 3

PowerLines; Lacey (WA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission seeks a Regulatory Analyst 3 to oversee EPR, billing, and SB5284 compliance in the WST Strategic Review. The role requires advanced regulatory analysis, strong written and oral communication, and the ability to translate complex issues for decision-makers and stakeholders, while collaborating across agencies.

Project-based work through June 30, 2027, with responsibilities including data-driven studies, policy drafting, and presentations, and

Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge in disciplines such as engineering, finance, accounting, sciences, economics, law, public utility regulation, or public policy.
• Extensive experience in research and analytical work involving regulatory, policy, financial, legal, scientific, or public administration matters.
• Strong ability to evaluate quantitative and qualitative information and develop data-driven recommendations.
• Ability to interpret and apply laws, rules, and regulatory requirements.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with diverse audiences.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with stakeholders, partners, and coworkers.
• Proven track record of managing complex projects, timelines, or process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Performs detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses focusing on EPR, SB5284, RCW provisions related to solid waste rate filings and related regulatory requirements.
• Investigates and monitors processing of materials and analyzes impacts on ratepayers and public interest, including equity considerations.
• Independently evaluates regulatory requests using advanced economics, accounting, and regulatory theory.
• Conducts targeted research relevant to regulation of public utilities and transportation in Washington.
• Translates complex concepts into accessible memoranda, testimony, or presentations for decision-makers.
• Leads or participates in rulemaking teams drafting administrative rules to implement new legislation.
• Collaborates on policy dockets and agency processes as a UTC representative.
• Prepares fiscal notes and responsive materials for public records requests.

Skills

Regulatory analysis

Quantitative analysis

Qualitative analysis

Policy communication

Stakeholder collaboration

Project management

Education

Advanced degree in a related field

Job description

The Opportunity:

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of one (1) Regulatory Analyst 3within the Water, Solid Waste, Transportation (WST) Strategic Review section of the Regulatory Services Division. This is a project position and is anticipated to end on June 30, 2027. This position will primarily oversee the billing and payment structures of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), ensure compliance with Senate Bill 5284 (SB5284), ensure compliance with Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 70A.208’s and collaborate with partner agencies to implement SB5284 and RCW 70A.208’s provisions.

Duties

What you’ll do:

Reporting to an assigned Section Manager, this Regulatory Analyst 3 project position works on complex issues with significant and broad impact on private solid waste collection, transportation, water companies, customers, and other stakeholders. This position plays a critical role in helping the commission navigate the most complex technical issues by conducting reliable analysis, summarizing and packaging information clearly, accurately, and in easy-to-understand terms, identifying the critical decision points of complex filings, and balancing stakeholder interests. Tasks are unstructured and require the incumbent to understand the private water and transportation industries and operating environment and apply appropriate administrative codes, statutes, regulatory policies and procedures, legal and regulatory precedents, and other information to complete assignments.

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

• Performs detailed quantitative and qualitative analyses using economic, financial, accounting, and regulatory principles, with particular emphasis on solid waste rate filings, EPR and Organics billing and payment structures, and compliance with SB5284 or RCW 70A.205 and RCW 70A.208 requirements. Ensures solid waste investment plans and asset acquisitions provide recycling services or expands recycling services in areas not currently or adequately served, in accordance with the requirements of SB5284 or RCW 70A.205 and 208.

• Investigates and monitors the processing of recycling material through “responsible markets” in accordance with the requirements of SB5284 or RCW 70A.205 and 208. Quantifies the financial qualitative and quantitative impacts of the practice or issue to ratepayers and the public interest which includes anti-racist and pro-equity considerations, identifies the root cause of the issue, and recommends resolution through a specific course of action to decision makers.

• Independently evaluates the validity of utility and transportation requests through quantitative, qualitative, and anecdotal analysis and by applying advanced principles of economics, financial accounting, and regulatory theory.

• Independently conducts research that is directly relevant to the regulation of public utilities and transportation companies in Washington.

• Translates complex and technical concepts into accessible terms for decision-makers through memoranda, formal testimony, or presentations on tariff filings, petitions, and other relief sought by utilities, transportation companies and stakeholders.

• Leads rulemaking teams or participates as a member of a rulemaking team drafting administrative rules to implement new legislation, streamline or improve existing administrative procedures, and eliminate or replace outdated processes.

• Leads or participates as a member of a team to assess utility and transportation rate filings critically, comprehensively, and holistically.

• Initiates or leads complex and specialized staff investigations concerning business practices or potentially problematic regulatory issues.

• Leads or participates in teams for policy dockets on complex regulatory issues.

• Leads and participates in agency processes as a representative of the UTC. This includes preparing fiscal notes and detailing how a proposed bill would affect the agency's workload, providing responsive materials for requests for public records, and attending section meetings and agency-required meetings.

• Provides information and process guidance to companies, customers, and other stakeholders.

• Supports other staff members with written deliverables by providing clarifying, corrective, or substantive edits. Assists team members with creating narrative aids that help convey meaningful messages from complex information, visual presentations, charting, and infographics.

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: engineering, finance, accounting, physical or social sciences, statistics, economics, law, public utility regulation, public policy, or a closely related field.

• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the following:

  • Extensive experience in conducting research and analytical work involving regulatory, policy, financial, financial, economic, legal, scientific, technical, or public administration matters.

  • Highly proficient in the evaluation of quantitative and qualitative information; identifying trends or issues; drawing supported conclusions; and developing recommendations based on data, research, and analysis.

  • Advanced practitioner with interpretation and application of laws, rules, policies, procedures, or regulatory requirements.

  • Demonstrated ability to communicate complex information effectively in writing and verbally with diverse audiences in both formal and informal settings.

  • Strong practitioner in building and maintaining productive, respectful, and collaborative working relationships with stakeholders, partners, and coworkers.

  • Consistently manages complex projects, assignments, timelines, priorities, or process improvement objectives.

  • Highly proficient in conducting research, analysis, regulatory, policy, compliance, auditing, investigative, or closely related experience.