RATE ANALYST (Entry)

For further job information and to complete an on-line application, go to www.smud.org/careers

As the sixth largest publicly owned utility in the country in terms of customers served, our innovative energy programs, customer satisfaction and service are known throughout the state and nation. SMUD's purpose is to provide solutions for meeting our customer's electrical energy needs. As a community-owned utility, SMUD's vision is to be a leader in customer satisfaction and a positive force in promoting community benefits. We offer a rewarding work environment, a diverse workplace, competitive salaries, excellent benefits and much more.

Last Day to Apply: 7/12/2006


Position Purpose:

To assist in the design of SMUD rates and tariffs, development and maintenance of marginal and embedded cost of service studies, and development of the revenue forecast. This position performs research and comparative analysis of energy sales, costs, regulatory and legal issues, market structure, other utilities and end-use data to conceptualize and design rate structures and tariffs that meet District objectives and revenue requirements, and comply with Board policies and strategies. The position also works with internal customers to clarify tariff policies, interpret District rules, and provide price and tariff comparisons.



Salary Range: 51,336.00 - 64,104.00


Requisition Number: 1610


Employment Type: Regular


Essential Functions:

1. Designs, evaluates and implements firm service rates and Board-directed rate options by establishing the District revenue requirement; developing, implementing, maintaining and applying sophisticated computer models to conduct marginal and embedded cost of service analysis, and to develop various rate options such as time of use, tiered rates, seasonal rates, and experimental rates for proposed programs.
2. Functionalizes plant in service investment and operating expenses by compiling and analyzing complex financial, operating and statistical data; classifying costs into demand and energy components; allocating costs to retail classes to determine rate equitability and cost recovery by class; evaluating the impact of alternative methodologies, such as long-run marginal costs.
3. Conducts class load surveys and designs and implements end-use monitoring programs to meet government mandated regulations and support rate design by including required sample designs and selections, data collection and evaluation and analyses. To conduct load research, marketing and end-use monitoring studies in support of rate design, load and economic forecasting and planning strategies to meet regulatory agency requirements.
4. Prepares and analyzes various regulatory filings and represents the District before regulators, Board committees, management, the public and consultants on issues regarding pricing, cost of service analysis, load research, market research, related subjects. Prepares filings and provides support and technical expertise to the Board, external and internal customers.
5. Organizes and conducts workshops and information exchanges and promotes cooperative professional relationships with the public, other rate payers and industry professionals to provide details of rate proposals and solicit responses.
6. Interprets and evaluates the rate structures of other utilities in order to maintain a competitive position in all rate classes and minimize the threat of customer by-pass.
7. Assists in administering the department budget by participating in planning, monitoring and revising schedules, work plans, expenditures and assignments. To support the achievement of unit objectives in a fiscally responsible manner.
8. Composes technical proposals and reports such as the general manager's reports and recommendations to the Board and responds to difficult or controversial issues raised by District management, the public and the Board.
9. Performs related duties as required.



Experience Required: Less than 1 year


Education Required: Bachelor's Degree


Minimum Qualifications:

Knowledge of: Retail rate design theory and related utility standards; cost of service methodologies, procedures and alternatives; load/market research techniques, including sample design, data validation and correction and demographic and saturation surveying; electric utility costing theory including average and marginal costing; federal, state and local laws, codes and regulations governing electric utilities; municipal utility accounting and financing; electric utility operations; principles and practices of various analytical approaches; techniques and practices for cost benefit analyses; principles of statistics; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; techniques and strategies for public speaking; techniques related to customer relations; safety policies, practices and procedures; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skill to: Develop and maintain spreadsheets; develop and maintain sophisticated computer models in various computer environments; access data using various database tools and software packages; independently compile and analyze complex financial operating and statistical data; interpret, analyze and apply pertinent policies, procedures, regulations and requirements; gather data from various sources; analyze complex issues and develop/implement alternatives; compile and prepare technical, statistical and/or analytical reports and presentations; develop and conduct oral presentations to internal/external audiences; explain complex and/or controversial policies, regulations, procedures and/or activities internally/externally; work under close public scrutiny; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Marketing, Engineering, Finance, or closely related field.



Licenses/Certifications:

None



Desirable Qualifications:

Experience: One to three years of increasingly responsible relevant work experience in analysis and evaluation tasks for strategic rate design options for a general utility; financial and statistical analysis; application of average (embedded) and marginal costs; computer modeling, and maintaining data in spreadsheets.

If interested, please apply online at www.smud.org/careers http://track.jobviper.com/ViewJob.asp?id=246542-3-13