Provide direction for cost studies requirements. Responsible for preparing documentation and testimony on appropriate cost of service studies for local, state, and federal commissions and legislative committees. Reviews regulatory agency opinions, decisions, and findings of research groups. Develops and analyzes the fully allocated cost factors of the Company. Testifies as an expert witness in support of cost of services studies before regulatory commissions. Utilizes experience, leadership, and communication to develop strong internal and external relationships to ensure regulatory compliance, project oversight, and consensus building in meeting both regulatory and corporate needs. Manage rate design implementation and reporting activities.
LEVEL OF RESPONSIBILITY
Accountable for departmental performance. Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges. Decisions guided by policies, procedures and business plan. Generally manages a recognized discipline and specialty with separate budget.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Testify as expert witness in support of all matters requiring regulatory approval by the OCC, APSC, or FERC.
Analyze cost of service methods used by staff of regulatory agencies, interveners and others, and recommend new procedures and/or costing methodologies to improve and enhance the OG&E cost of service study.
Responsible for workforce planning and implementation of actions to ensure adequate staffing, staff development including performance appraisals, and cross training for coverage of critical duties.
Provide direction to the cost of service team and demonstrate attention to detail in reviewing various teams work product.
Direct the preparation and presentation of complex regulatory subjects in a clear, concise and effective manner to management and/or regulatory bodies.
Direct the research, analysis and interpretation of regulatory treatment, trends and decisions on a national and statewide basis.
Oversee the development of the various cost of service allocators (e.g. energy, demand and customer).
Develop and direct the development of cost of service input data to include compiling and analyzing accounting data (e.g. plant investment, O&M expenses, taxes, etc.), load research data, and revenue data.
Subject-matter expert providing interpretation, evaluation of other utility's costs and provide in-depth training to various company groups and external customers on various options and/or techniques.
Ensure Minimum Filing Requirements (MFRs) for rate cases are complete, accurate and defendable.
All other duties as assigned.
Use internal company policies and/or federal, state and local laws and rulings to solve complex regulatory issues.
Adapt departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges.
Verify facts within testimony, write testimony, and prepare rate case exhibits.
Review regulatory agency opinions and decisions, other utilities structures and findings of research groups in order to stay current on changes.
Coordinate and facilitate the process of documenting regulatory policies and procedures.
Evaluate and make appropriate improvements to internal regulatory processes ensuring that practices are in line with the overall goals of the organization as well as federal, state and local requirements.
Provide interpretation and analysis to senior management for strategic decision-making.
REQUIREMENTS
Bachelors Degree in Accounting, Finance, Economics, Math, or other related discipline, And 9 years directly related experience in electricity costing, rate administration, pricing, utility analytics, or regulatory accounting.
Experience in a rate case or other major regulatory filing within the last 3 years, including providing expert testimony in a regulatory proceeding.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work is sometimes very fast paced requiring the ability to simultaneously handle multiple issues.
May work under short inflexible deadlines.
May be required to work non-standard work schedules which includes periodic availability for emergency duty.
Will require testifying before the Oklahoma, Arkansas or FERC regulatory commissions.
Work is performed in an office environment using office equipment such as a computer, keyboard and mouse.
May require overnight travel.
SPECIAL SAFETY REQUIREMENTS
Member will not be required to drive in order to perform their job duties.
Member is not required to perform any safety sensitive duties.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES (KSAS)
Strong understanding of impact of the decisions made on other organizational units internal and external to the company.
Strong understanding of how the cost of service process interfaces in the regulatory procedure.
Strong negotiation skills with the ability to formulate, propose and coordinate consensus concerning cost allocations within the Company and between various special interest groups or regulatory agencies outside of the Company.
Strong problem solving skills; ability to extrapolate beyond facts to reach a logical conclusion.
Strong understanding of the regulatory process involved in utility rate cases.
Ability to effectively present testimony before regulatory commissions in support of company positions.
Comprehensive knowledge of regulatory process involving utility rate cases.
Ability to communicate clearly and effectively with all levels of management (written and verbal), as well as commission staff members.
Strong personal computer skills with strong knowledge of Microsoft applications and other related software. (Excel, SAP, etc).
Strong organization and multi-tasking skills with the ability to plan and prioritize to ensure efficient and timely deliverables and results.
Ability to handle confidential information and material with the highest degree of professional responsibility.