Utility Specialist 3

Public Utilities Commission of Ohio; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 50,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) is seeking a Utility Specialist 3 to lead regulatory accounting and rate case support across electric, gas, and water utilities. You will draft testimony, supervise staff, and conduct audits under commission rules.

The role requires deep knowledge of utility regulation, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate findings in formal proceedings. On-site work at the PUCO Central Office is typical.

Qualifications

• Graduate core program or 3+ years of experience in accounting, finance, public administration, or engineering with regulatory context.
• Experience in utility regulation, rate cases, or related compliance is preferred.
• Ability to prepare testimony, draft staff reports, and support settlement negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as subject-matter expert in public utility rates, accounting theory, policies, practices, and procedures.
• Regulatory accounting across electric, natural gas, water, and base distribution rate cases.
• Provide training and guidance to lower-level staff.
• Support rate case investigations.
• Draft sections of staff reports and letters.
• Prepare testimony and participate in settlement negotiations and hearings.
• Conduct audits of riders and regulatory proceedings.

Skills

Regulatory knowledge

Accounting principles

Auditing

Testimony prep

Education

Graduate core program

Accounting

Finance

Public administration

Engineering

Tools

Accounting tools

Auditing tools

Investigation methods

Training materials

Job description

About The Rates & Analysis Department

The Rates and Analysis Department participates in federal and state programs and investigations regarding energy policy, delivery and reliability; monitors and advises on utility conformance with prudent corporate oversight practices and procedures; monitors energy efficiency and portfolio compliance requirements; processes utility rate change requests and performs technical investigations. The department is comprised of accounting and finance, grid modernization and retail markets, and regulatory utility services divisions.

Rates & Analysis Department

The Rates and Analysis Department participates in federal and state programs and investigations regarding energy policy, delivery and reliability; monitors and advises on utility conformance with prudent corporate oversight practices and procedures; monitors energy efficiency and portfolio compliance requirements; processes utility rate change requests and performs technical investigations. The department is comprised of accounting and finance, grid modernization and retail markets, and regulatory utility services divisions.

Accounting & Finance Division

Hourly Rate: $41.81

About The Rates & Analysis Department

The Rates and Analysis Department participates in federal and state programs and investigations regarding energy policy, delivery and reliability; monitors and advises on utility conformance with prudent corporate oversight practices and procedures; monitors energy efficiency and portfolio compliance requirements; processes utility rate change requests and performs technical investigations. The department is comprised of accounting and finance, grid modernization and retail markets, and regulatory utility services divisions.

What You Will Do

In this position as a Utility Specialist 3, your responsibilities include:

• Serve as a subject-matter expert in public utility rates, accounting theory, policies, practices, and procedures
• Function as a regulatory accounting analyst across electric, natural gas, water, and other base distribution rate cases
• Provide training, technical guidance, and directions to lower-level staff members
• Support rate case investigations
• Draft assigned sections of staff reports and letters
• Prepare testimony as needed, assist in settlement negotiations, and present testimony under cross examination during hearings
• Conduct audits of natural gas, water, and electric riders, as well as audits associated with Commission rulemaking, and formal or informal Commission proceedings

Report in location: 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215, Franklin County.

PUCO core hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across PUCO departments. Most positions perform work on-site at the PUCO Central Office. Flex-time schedules are based on operational need and require supervisor approval.

Salary Information: Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary is set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases, successful employees will increase a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year. In addition, the State of Ohio offers cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of public service, and wellness.

Completion of graduate core program or 3 yrs. exp. in one or more of following fields; accounting, code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, utility &/or transportation code of enforcement, geology, management, law, economics, mathematics or engineering; 5 yrs. utility or transportation regulatory experience involving combination of following: PUCO operations, programs & policies affecting regulation of utility or transportation companies, state & federal laws, regulations & procedures governing utility or transportation company operations, competitive programs & alternative regulations, rate &/or tariff structure, financing & securities or economics applied to utility or transportation companies, utility or transportation regulatory processing & case hearing proceedings, cost recovery & cost adjustment methods & procedures, enforcement of customer service standards, statistical, mathematical or analytical methods used in formulating & solving problems or in decision making, developing & conducting research studies &/or investigations of scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation or alternative regulation.

• Or 36 mos. exp. as Utility Specialist 2, 66952.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job Skills:

Utilities

Organization

Public Utilities Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information

HUMAN RESOURCES - [e-mail].

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00-5:00 Flex Available

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Technical Skills

Accounting and Finance, Auditing, Investigation, Training

Professional Skills

Leading Others, Negotiation, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affects nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which includes electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers.

To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans.

Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.