Energy Planning Section Manager

Description

Energy Planning Section Manager

Help protect the consumers of Washington state!

The starting salary offer will be determined based on the successful candidates’ qualifications within the budgeted salary range of $101,856 - $104,916 annually. However, there is an ability for growth and development in this salary band for the individual once employed.

This recruitment is open until Monday, February 24, 2025, at 11:59pm.

UTC reserves the right to render a hiring decision and/or choose to close or extend this recruitment at any given time.

The Opportunity:
The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (UTC) is seeking to fill the role of Section Manager within the Energy Planning Section of the Regulatory Services Division. As the Section Manager of Energy Planning Unit A, you will perform objective technical analysis and provide logically sound recommendations necessary for the Commission’s decision-making processes and ensure that the employees under the position’s direct supervision adhere the same standards.

You will have the ability to work with UTC staff on challenging and exciting energy planning filings and topics involving electric and gas investor-owned utilities in Washington State, such as:

• Climate Change, Energy and Demand Forecast
• Renewable Energy and Non-emitting Resources
• Equitable Transition to Clean Energy
• Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) and Integrated System Plan (ISP)
• Clean Energy Implementation Plan (CEIP) and Clean Energy Targets
• Distributed Energy Resources, including Conservation, Demand Response, Distributed Generation, Solar, Energy Storage
• Alternative Fuels
• Resource Adequacy
• Electric Vehicle (EV) planning

• UTC fosters an environment of diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging, while striving to hire and retain a workforce from the communities we serve.
• We place importance on a healthy balance between personal and professional lives; offering flexible work schedules, wellness programs, and mobile/telework opportunities.
• Through the state, our employees (and their families) are offered options for medical, dental, vision and basic life insurance.
• We offer enrollment into the state retirement programs and a deferred compensation plan.
• Throughout a calendar year, employees receive a minimum of 14 days of vacation leave per year and 11 paid holidays and 1 personal holiday in addition to accruing sick leave.

• Respect - We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism - We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity - We do the right things for the right reasons - trusting others to do the same.

Consistently reflect the commission’s values in how you behave, interact with others, and in the decisions you make. Among those, actively support the direction of the agency. Work cooperatively on issues and to find solutions that meet the needs of the whole commission, not just individual section needs. Communicate and carry out the decisions of the management team in a complete and timely manner.

• EDI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment.
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth.
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships.
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship.

Duties

• Establish, implement, and support procedures for efficient management of work within the Planning Unit A.
• Participate in and support strategic planning exercises for the Planning section.
• Provide Professional Development Plans (PDPs) and timely feedback and performance assessments for direct reports.
• Ensure that work products are complete, correct, timely, and effective with specific emphasis on the clarity, narrative flow, and visual representation of data.
• Interact with other internal managers, internal regulatory analysts, Commissioners and their policy advisors, administrative law judges, and various groups.
• Responds to high priority information requests in a timely manner. These requests can include, and are not limited to, providing materials for media requests; completing requests for Public Records; preparing fiscal notes; providing information and process guidance; explaining administrative rules, policies, and procedures; responding to utility customer questions; and responding to requests for technical assistance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or higher involving major study in science or engineering, economics, financial accounting, business administration, or other field directly relevant to electric and gas utility regulation. In rare situations, an individual without the requisite degree may qualify by demonstrating knowledge and abilities equivalent to the degree that have been attained through a combination of work experience and education. AND
• Five years of experience performing professional level research and analysis with an institution primarily engaged in regulatory matters or energy utility business operations. (An advanced degree in a field directly applicable to public utility regulation will substitute for one year of the desired qualifications). AND
• Demonstrated experience in leading large, complex teams or projects, either in a supervisory or non-supervisory capacity.

• Expertise in Regulatory Theory and Ratemaking Standards and Policy - Has extensive knowledge of applicable State and federal laws, Commission rules, regulations, policies, standards, and precedents, regulatory theory and principles, and the economic framework in which regulated companies operate. Has a demonstrated ability to develop positions and recommendations in accordance with relevant legal precedent and policy standards. Can examine, communicate, and teach complex regulatory and ratemaking concepts in an effective and accessible manner.
• Organizational Management - Possesses ability to manage limited resources efficiently, demonstrating an ability to identify and mobilize resources to fulfill key objectives, plan to ensure the best use of available capacity, and develop processes to improve performance and efficiency; Possesses effective personnel management skills, demonstrating interpersonal understanding, an ability to encourage, coach, and support individuals, communicate proactively, promote professional development, articulate key expectations, evaluate employee performance, and encourage teamwork and cooperation.
• Leadership - Leads by example, demonstrating professional conduct at all times, exhibiting balance and fair- handedness in considering various perspectives, maintaining composure and level-headedness in difficult situations, and engaging with others in a courteous, considerate, and respectful manner; Demonstrates emotional intelligence and intellectual humility; Demonstrates critical thinking and tactical execution; Pursues compromise and collaboration; Actively engages in section strategic planning exercises and critical examinations of the section's business processes; Listens carefully and helps others to understand the merits of opposing arguments.
• Project Management - Plans, designs, organizes, and executes the work of an individual or team project, ensuring a high-quality work product within specific time constraints. Identifies and communicates goals, key deliverables and criteria for success. Outlines responsibilities and resource requirements, organizes tasks and establishes meaningful timelines. Regularly monitors progress and takes corrective action where necessary. Provides leadership, building and managing interpersonal relationships to ensure project success; demonstrates personal accountability and commitment to the success of a project.
• Analytical Skills and Critical Thinking - Formulates judgments on complex issues through the identification, organization, and analysis of factual evidence and quantitative data; Reaches unbiased conclusions through logical reasoning and analytical objectivity; Maintains skepticism of unsupported claims and reliably identifies fallacious logic; Distinguishes information that is not pertinent to a decision or solution.
• Professional Writing and Communication - Writes clearly, concisely, and coherently, using organized thought and logically reasoned arguments; Effectively translates complex technical concepts into messages non- technical audiences can readily grasp; Listens carefully, reflects upon what is being said, and responds appropriately; Presents information clearly, accurately and in an audience-specific manner.
• Professional Conduct - Takes responsibility for actions; Is courteous, considerate and respectful at all times in all interactions with coworkers, interactions with coworkers, utility representatives and other parties with whom we interact; Maintains cordial relations with coworkers; Exercises self-awareness, recognizing and controlling behavior that is disrespectful, aggressive, unnecessarily argumentative or overly confrontational; Sets aside personal differences to complete work as part of a team; Respects the point of view of others and approaches disagreements with patience, tact and good will.
• Public Speaking - Presents information and responds to questions clearly and accurately in public and in formal legal settings. Presents analytical findings and recommendations at open public meetings before the Commission. Defends analysis and recommendations against cross-examination by opposing counsel in formal adjudicative proceedings.
• Self-Development - Demonstrates proactive learning and keeps energy knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Turns challenges into learning opportunities and seeks developmental assignments to improve skills.

• Respect: We treat every person and interaction with consideration and goodwill.
• Professionalism: We are committed to excellence in our work and conduct.
• Integrity: We do the right things for the right reasons- trusting others to do the same.

• EDI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship

• Accountability - With courage, we hold ourselves and each other accountable for exhibiting respect, professionalism, and integrity.
• DEI Knowledge, Understanding, & Commitment - Ability to be exposed to, know, and understand the language and concepts of DEI and be committed to being part of creating, maintaining, and improving a diverse, equitable, respectful, and inclusive workplace.
• Self-Awareness and Commitment to Growth – Engages in self-reflection, lifelong learning, and growth.
• Cultivating Mutually Beneficial and Trusting Strategic Partnerships - Conducts themselves in a manner that builds trust, enhances work relationships, and meaningfully partner and engage with those they serve and serve with.
• Inclusive Excellence & Allyship – Ability to demonstrate that all people are valued and engaged as members of the group, team, organization, or community through equitable, inclusive, and respectful behavior.
• Measuring Success and Improvement – Ability to develop, implement, evaluate, and continually improve strategies that promote equity and inclusion in their organization and with the communities they serve.
• Customer Focus – Responsive to both internal and external customers. Works with customer to identify needs; assumes responsibility for own role in meeting those needs. Ensures commitments to customers are met. Receptive to customer feedback.
• Results Focus – Accepts personal accountability for individual results or share of team results. Manages workload and interpersonal relationships to achieve results: prioritizes tasks appropriately, overcomes obstacles, works with others as necessary, and meets deadlines and quality standards.
• Communication Skills – Demonstrates communication skills (reading comprehension, writing, listening, speaking) appropriate to the position. Shows respect and courtesy in interpersonal communications.
• Adaptability/Flexibility – Open to new ideas. Responds constructively to change and stressful situations. In consultation with supervisor, adjusts plans to meet changing needs.
• Self-Development – Demonstrates proactive learning. Keeps knowledge and skills up to date. Solicits and accepts constructive feedback. Seeks developmental assignments to improve skills. Turns challenges into learning opportunities.
• Continuous Process Improvement – Utilizes Lean tools and principles to continuously identify improvements, solve problems, and improve work processes. Participates on process improvement projects/teams. Actively engages in section/division huddles and incorporates visual management into daily work.

• Advanced degree in a relevant field, such as science, engineering, business administration, economics, financial accounting, law, or public utility regulation.
• Demonstrated experience testifying before a public utility commission or other regulatory or legal body.
• Professional experience writing for decision makers or applying principles of legal or argumentative writing.
• Advanced training in standards of professional writing.
• Professional experience in science or engineering, economic analysis, financial accounting, public utility regulation, public utility law, or utility business operations.
• Experience writing administrative rules or participating on a rulemaking at a regulatory agency.

Supplemental Information

• This position is included in the Washington Management Service (WMS) and covered under civil service rules.
• This position is exempt from the overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
• Ensure the accuracy, spelling, and grammar of your application and any requested attachments before submitting.

How to Apply:
If you’re interested in joining our Team, please read the instructions below carefully; click “Apply” at the top of the page to begin the process.

Your application will only be considered complete if the following attachments are submitted with you application:

• 
  Letter of Interest describing how you meet the position qualifications and why you believe you are the ideal candidate.
• Resume detailing your applicable experience and education.
• References: At least three (3) professional references with current telephone numbers and email addresses; one (1) contact MUST be your current or most recent supervisor.

The initial screening of candidates will be solely based on the contents and completeness of the application, including answers provided to the Supplemental Questionnaire, along with the required attachments - letter of interest, resume, and references submitted as part of the application process.

Please note: a resume will not substitute for completing the "work experience" section of the application or vice versa.

All information may be verified, and documentation may be required for verification. Candidates may be disqualified if the education and/or work experience does not include information used to meet the minimum qualifications of the job.

The UTC is an equal opportunity employer. We want to make sure you have an equal opportunity to join our team. Our commitment is making sure current and future employees are treated fairly and equally without regard to age, sex (including gender identity), race, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, marital status, or religious or political affiliation.

Persons needing accommodation in the application process or this announcement in an alternative format may contact humanresources@utc.wa.gov. For TTY service, please call the Washington Relay Service at 7-1-1 or 1-800-833-6384.