Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst Series

California State Personnel Board Specification

Series established April 7, 1982

Scope

This series specification describes five levels of regulatory analysts used within the Public Utilities Commission ranging from the entry level to the highest level of technical advisor to the Commission on program and policy issues. Incumbents in this series perform technical and analytical research work as well as consultative and advisory services in the areas of economic, finance and policy. The term research, as applied to this class series, is defined as the study and interpretation of theory, application of theory to public utilities and transportation regulation and qualitative/quantitative evaluation of the extent to which a theory correctly characterizes real situations. Incumbents analyze, evaluate, develop and recommend sophisticated research methodologies and innovative alternatives on a wide range of regulatory issues. They review and evaluate proposed legislation and advise the Commission on the potential impact of legislation; provide expert advice and present testimony in support of results of completed studies before the Commission, public interest groups, the regulated industries, various governmental agencies as well as the Legislature.

In the area of economics, the work is generally characterized by the systematic application and interpretation of economic theory relating to various market structures, conditions, trends and other variable factors affecting public utilities and transportation regulation. Subject areas may involve productivity; marginal cost; rate design; price determination in revenue and customer forecasting; energy supply and demand forecasting; and labor economics including pension and benefit analysis.

The work in the finance area is predominately characterized by the systematic application and interpretation of financial theory relating to various capital market conditions, interest trends and other factors affecting public utilities and transportation regulation. Incumbents evaluate numerous kinds of financing available and recommend which types would be most appropriate under current economic conditions. Subject areas may involve project and resource planning, cost of capital/rate of return, corporate financial management involving an analysis of cash flow, projected inflation, capital requirements, bond ratings, capital ratios, comparison of earnings of comparable entities, determination of the financial impact on firms of government regulations and market conditions and other financial matters surrounding public utilities and transportation regulation.

The work in the policy field involves analyses pertaining to the Commission's goals and procedures, utility programs, performance of markets subject to Commission regulation and legislative proposals. Incumbents perform interdisciplinary analysis of the effects of alternatives on economic, financial, business systems and on consumer behavior by using the theory and methods of economics, finance administration, public policy, and/or political science.

Entry Level

Entry into this series is typically from college recruitment source or related State classification of a lower level or from comparable professional levels outside State service.

Factors Affecting Position Allocation

Overall scope and complexity of the research program and the relative complexity and discipline requirements of the specific research studies affect position allocation. The number, level and function of other positions and the relative scope and complexity of these other activities in the Commission are compelling considerations also. Other factors affecting position allocation include independence of action, level of decision making, degree of originality of techniques employed, difficulty of research methodology used, uniqueness of activities, sensitivity of the assignment, program management responsibilities, impact and ultimate usage of conclusions and recommendations. A composite evaluation of all of these differentiating factors will be employed in making determinations on all allocations.

Definition of Levels*

*Additional information regarding scope of responsibility, complexity factors, and breadth of expertise is contained in a separate document titled "Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst Allocation Guidelines".

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I

This is the entry, recruiting and developmental class. Under supervision, incumbents perform a broad range of research and analyses applicable to public utilities and transportation regulation; they are assigned duties and responsibilities commensurate with their background and training. Positions may be permanently assigned to this level when the major functions of the position do not include the more varied, responsible, independent and difficult assignments found in the full journeyperson level of the Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II

This is the full journeyperson level. Incumbents at this level perform a variety of tasks, including the more varied, responsible, difficult, technical and analytical research work.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst III

The positions are characterized by incumbents independently performing more complex, sensitive and responsible public utilities and/or transportation related work which requires, on a regular basis, a high degree of knowledge, skill and ability which is demonstrably above the journey level.

Under general direction, incumbents must develop original solutions, approaches and methodologies to a broad range of issues surrounding public utilities and transportation regulation. Incumbents may exercise some lead responsibility over regulatory studies or programs and may conduct workshops on issues of limited scope or complexity.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV

The positions at this level require a great degree of knowledge, skill and ability in order to provide original research and advisory services on highly complex and technical problems. Assignments require major synthesis of information and perspective utilizing data of varied types and sources.

Incumbents may have lead responsibility in directing and implementing major complex research studies or programs and may lead workshops on regulatory issues of moderate scope and complexity.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V

The positions at this level are intended to accommodate the broadest and the most advanced level of expertise. Incumbents develop and implement major studies or programs involving the coordination of a number of regulatory disciplines with Federal, statewide or industry-wide policy implications. Incumbents provide expert consultation to Commissioners and top management in the area of policy development on a wide range of issues relating to public utilities and transportation regulations and make policy recommendations affecting program direction.

Incumbents may exercise lead responsibility over several professional subordinates and may conduct workshops on the most difficult issues or direct large major studies or regulatory programs of the highest scope and complexity.

Minimum Qualifications

All Levels:

Education: The following education is required when non-California state service experience is used to qualify at any level.

Equivalent to graduation from college with any major but with at least 24�semester units of upper division courses in economics, finance, public policy, or a closely related field. (Work experience performing technical economic, financial or policy research related to public utilities and transportation regulation may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I

Either I

Meet education requirement. (Registration as a senior in a recognized institution will admit applicants to the examination, but they must produce evidence of graduation or its equivalent before they can be considered eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Six months of experience performing public utilities and transportation regulatory research duties in economics, finance, or policy in the class of Program Technician III and at least 18 semester units or 27 quarter units of upper division coursework in economics, finance or policy.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II

Either I

One year in the California state service performing research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I, Range�C. (Applicants who have completed six months of service performing the duties as specified above will be admitted to the examination but they must satisfactorily complete the one year of this experience before they can be eligible for appointment.)

Or II

Three years of progressively responsible technical public utilities and/or transportation research experience in the areas of economics, finance or policy. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this pattern must include at least one year performing duties at a level of responsibility equivalent to a Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I, Range�C.)

(A Master's Degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy in Economics, Business Administration, Finance, Public Policy or other fields related to public utilities and transportation requiring 30 semester units or 45 quarter units for completion may be substituted for one year of the required experience.) (A master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 60 semester or 90�quarter units for completion, two different master's degree (each of which constitutes a full degree program) or a doctorate degree in the above field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst III

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing technical research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II.

Or II

Three years of progressively responsible technical research experience above the trainee level in a field related to public utilities and/or transportation. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year of experience in a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II.)

(A Master's Degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy in Economics, Policy, Finance, Business Administration or other field related to public utilities and transportation requiring 30 semester or 45 quarter units for completion may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

(A master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 60 semester or 90 quarter units for completion, two different master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) or a doctorate degree in the above field may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing technical research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst III; or

Two years of experience in the California state service performing technical research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II.

Or II

Four years of progressively responsible technical research experience in a field related to public utilities and/or transportation. (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must include one year of experience in a class at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst III.)

(A Master's Degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy in Economics, Policy, Finance, Business Administration or other fields related to public utilities and transportation requiring 30 semester or 45 quarter units for completion may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

(A master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 60 semester or 90 quarter units for completion, two different master's degrees (each of which constitutes a full degree program) or a doctorate degree in the above fields may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V

Either I

One year of experience in the California state service performing technical research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV; or

Two years of experience in the California state service performing technical research duties in public utilities and/or transportation regulation at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst

Iii.

Or II

Five years of progressively responsible technical research experience in a field related to public utilities and/or transportation. (Experience in the California state service applied to this pattern must include one year of experience at a level of responsibility equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV.)

(A Master's Degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy in Economics, Policy, Finance, Business Administration or other fields related to public utilities and transportation requiring 30 semester or 45 quarter units for completion may be substituted for one year of the required experience.)

(A master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 60 semester or 90 quarter units for completion, two different master's degree (each of which constitutes a full degree program) or a doctorate degree in the above fields may be substituted for two years of the required experience.)

Knowledge and Abilities

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I

Knowledge of: Principles, practices, trends and terminology of economics, finance, or policy analysis pertaining of public utilities and transportation regulations.

Ability to: Reason logically, creatively and utilize a variety of theoretical and analytical approaches to resolve regulatory problems; develop and evaluate alternatives; present ideas and information effectively both orally and in writing; consult with and advise administrators or other interested parties on a broad range of subject-matter areas; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst II

Knowledge of: All of the above, Public Utilities Commission Code, and rate-making policy and procedures.

Ability to: All of the above, and independently apply economic, financial, and public policy theory and techniques to more complex regulatory issues.

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst III

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst IV

Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst V

Knowledge of: Trends and issues pertaining to public utilities and transportation regulations; principles of program evaluation and planning; principles and concepts of economics, econometrics and finance in a research setting; public utilities and transportation regulatory policy analysis and formulation; Federal and State agencies involved in utilities and transportation regulation; Federal and State legislation and policies pertaining to public utilities and transportation.

Ability to: Reason logically and creatively; utilize a variety of analytical and research techniques to resolve complex utility and transportation regulatory problems; develop and evaluate alternatives; analyze data and present ideas and information effectively, both orally and in writing; testify as a subject-matter expert; consult with and advise Commissioners, top management and other interested parties on a wide range of issues relating to public utilities and transportation regulations; gain and maintain the confidence and cooperation of those contacted during the course of work; coordinate the complex technical work of others; serve as a team leader to analyze the more technical and difficult situations; establish and maintain project priorities; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

Alternate Range Criteria 16four

When an employee first enters the class, he/she shall be eligible for appointment to the appropriate range in terms of the following criteria. Experience gained outside the State service may be credited only if an appointing power believes the experience was satisfactory and equivalent in type and quality to that of the class of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst�I. This experience must be beyond that which is required to satisfy the "Minimum Qualifications" for the class of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I. When the requirements for the criteria for the range are met and upon recommendation of the appointing power, the employee shall receive a rate in the new range under the provisions of Rule 599.676.

Range A. This range shall apply to incumbents who do not meet the criteria for payment in Range B or C.

Range B. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed either: (1) six months of experience equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I, Range A; or (2) six months of experience outside the State service performing economic, financial or policy research duties equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I; or (3)�a�master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 30�semester units or 45 quarter units for completion in economics, finance, business administration, public policy or a closely related field.

Range C. This range shall apply to persons who have satisfactorily completed either: (1) twelve months of experience equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I, Range B; or (2) 18 months of experience outside the State service performing economic, financial, or policy research duties equivalent to that of Public Utilities Regulatory Analyst I; or (3)�a�master's degree or advancement to Ph.D. candidacy requiring 60�semester or 90 quarter units for completion in economics, finance, business administration, public policy or a closely related field; or (4) two different Master's Degrees in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy or a closely related field; or (5) a Doctorate Degree in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, Public Policy or a closely related field.

Class History