Class Code: 00531
10531
IOWA DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES –
HUMAN RESOURCES
SENIOR UTILITY ANALYST
DEFINITION
Performs advanced level work in the analysis and
evaluation of public utility operations subject to regulation by the Iowa State
Commerce Commission; performs related work as required.
The Work Examples and Competencies
listed are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to be the primary
basis for position classification decisions.
WORK EXAMPLES
Analyzes existing rates of utilities by
reviewing, examining and evaluating cost studies and investigations of
operational practices in order to recommend acceptance or suspension of rates
and rate supplements.
Evaluates compliance and/or recommends methods of
compliance by utility companies with Commission approved refund plans, interest
calculations and revenue calculations.
Reviews utility companies’ applications for rate
increases to ensure compliance with Commission filing requirements.
Meets with officials of public utilities, private
industry and the public on matters related to public utility regulation.
Analyzes and audits both purchased gas adjustments and
energy adjustment clauses proposed by regulated utility companies to determine
compliance with regulatory principles,
Develops or directs other staff that develop computer
programs for analyzing economic, financial and other data related to public
utility regulation.
Conducts research projects concerning public utility
regulation issues by determining objectives, collecting and analyzing data,
forming conclusions based on research and analysis, and summarizing and
documenting results.
Reviews current literature and attends seminars
and conferences in order to maintain current knowledge of economics, finance,
trends in public utility regulations, laws, policies and related fields
impacting on work performed.
Collects and analyzes data for appraisal, evaluation
and depreciation studies of utility properties and engineering cost studies by
examining utility reports, records, operating data and physical facilities in
order to determine compliance with Commission rules and regulations and
adequacy of service provided by the utility to the public.
Prepares information for stipulation meetings and
hearings with representatives of public utility companies in order to assist in
presenting the Commission staff position and in determining points of mutual
agreement with public utility companies.
Performs field audits of utility companies by applying
generally accepted accounting and auditing principles and procedures in the
examination of accounts, records and audit reports to determine companies'
conformance with prescribed utility accounting system.
Analyzes testimony, exhibits, work papers and data
filed by regulated utility companies in rate cases to determine cost of
capital, revenue requirements and other economic and financial issues.
Compiles data base by conducting performance
reviews of utility companies to obtain information regarding various aspects of
utility operations such as coal procurement, labor relations, fleet management,
facilities operation and maintenance inventories, data processing management,
and work force and equipment management to be utilized in Commission policy
making rate cases, staff training, long-range planning or drafting legislation.
Testifies and is subjected to cross-examination on
technical issues including utility cost of capital, rate structures,
engineering issues and related issues in order to present and support staff
position in formal proceedings.
Formulates cross-examination questions for public
utility company witnesses and provides input in the preparation of briefs and
oral arguments presented to the Commission to provide facts necessary for
proper disposition of contested issues.
COMPETENCIES REQUIRED
Knowledge of Iowa Commerce Commission rules,
regulatory procedures and precedents.
Knowledge of generally accepted accounting principles
and practices, including cost accounting, depreciation accounting, tax
accounting, property accounting and utility regulation accounting.
Knowledge of current trends, practices, principles and
laws pertaining to the regulation of public utilities, including rate base, revenue
requirement, cost of capital and rate design.
Knowledge of data retrieval methods in order to access
computer information relative to database established on regulated public
utilities.
Knowledge of methods used to determine the
reasonableness of the treatment of financial and other management options and
exceptions.
Knowledge of the Uniform System of accounts as
prescribed for public utilities.
Knowledge of methods used to analyze financial and
other management records of regulated public utilities.
Knowledge of basic computer programming in order to
develop or review programs to analyze pertinent data.
Knowledge of economic theory and research methodology.
Ability to consider filings, testimony, data and
exhibits submitted by utility companies for Commission.
Ability to make objective recommendations/decisions on
regulatory issues based on applicable laws, policies, and precedents relative
to the regulation of public utilities.
Ability to maintain composure while testifying and
being cross-examined while representing the Commission as an expert witness in
formal rate proceedings.
Ability to formulate appropriate questions for use by
Commission legal Staff in cross-examination of utility company witnesses in
formal proceedings.
Ability to follow complicated oral and written
instructions with a minimal amount of detailed explanation.
Ability to apply principles of public utility
regulation, related laws and legal opinions and court decisions and Iowa
Commerce Commission rules, regulatory procedures and precedents.
Displays high standards of ethical conduct. Exhibits honesty and integrity. Refrains from theft-related, dishonest or
unethical behavior.
Works and communicates with internal and external
clients and customers to meet their needs in a polite, courteous, and
cooperative manner. Committed to quality
service.
Displays a high level of initiative, effort and
commitment towards completing assignments efficiently. Works with minimal supervision. Demonstrates responsible behavior and attention
to detail.
Responds appropriately to supervision. Follows policy and cooperates with
supervisors.
Aligns behavior with the needs, priorities and goals
of the organization.
Encourages and facilitates cooperation, pride, trust,
and group identity. Fosters commitment
and team spirit.
Expresses information to individuals or groups effectively, taking into account the audience and nature of the information. Listens to others and responds appropriately.
EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, AND SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Graduation from an accredited four year college
or university with a bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration,
finance, economics, operations research, computer science, environmental
science, statistics, industrial engineering, mechanical engineering, civil
engineering, electrical engineering and three years of complex, analytical work
experience in one or a combination of the above disciplines;
OR
graduation
from an accredited paralegal school with two years of legal research experience
will be considered as qualifying;
OR
thirty
semester or equivalent hours of post graduate course work in the above
disciplines may be substituted for one year of experience with a maximum
substitution of two years;
OR
graduation
from an accredited college or university with a master’s degree in one of the
above areas will be considered as qualifying;
OR
possession
of an Engineer certificate as issued by the State of Iowa Board of Engineering
Examiners or by another jurisdiction with requirements as determined by the
Board to be equal to Iowa Standards, and eighteen months of experience as an
Engineer or an equivalent level of experience will be considered as qualifying;
OR
an
equivalent combination of education and experience substituting one year of
complex analytical work experience in the above disciplines for one year
(thirty semester or equivalent hours equal one year) of the required education
to a maximum substitution of four years;
OR
possession
of a permit to practice as a Certified Public Accountant as issued by the Iowa
Accountancy Board may be substituted for one year of the required experience;
OR
employees
with current continuous experience in the state executive branch that includes
experience equal to twelve months of full time work as a Utility Analyst 2.
NOTE:
Incumbents in many of these positions will be required
to travel and stay out overnight.
Incumbents will be required to make arrangements on their own regarding
transportation to and from assigned work areas.
Some out of state travel may be required as assigned by the agency of
employment. Selected positions may
require incumbents to provide their own means of transportation in order to
conduct state business.
SELECTIVE CERTIFICATION
For certain designated positions, the Appointing
Authority, with Iowa Department of Administrative Services – Human Resources
Enterprise approval, may selectively request those applicants possessing a
minimum of 20 semester hours of education or two years experience or a
combination thereof in one of the following areas:
183 environmental
health or science
733 utility
rate regulation
780 accounting
781 business
administration
782 civil
engineering
783 computer
science
784 economics
785 electrical
engineering
786 finance
787 industrial
engineering
788 mechanical
engineering
789 operations
research
790 paralegal/legal
assistant
791 statistics
792 transportation
rate analysis
Applicants
desiring to be considered for these positions should be sure to list applicable
course work and experience on the application.
Effective
Date: 6/2007 SH