Economist

About the role

The Public Utilities Economist in the Economics Bureau plays a key role in the preparation and presentation of evidence and analyses in cases before the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission. The position provides expertise concerning utility capital structure, return on equity, debt financing, allocation of costs to rate classes, rate design, utility renewable energy procurement plans, energy efficiency program plans, transportation electrification plans, grid modernization, community solar, and may assist in resource acquisition and abandonment matters, and other matters as necessary.

Responsibilities

• Presentation under oath of both written and oral testimony as evidence, as well as cross-examination as an expert witness in a quasi-judicial setting.
• Preparation of responses to interrogatories from various parties in cases.
• Preparation of interrogatories to utility companies or other parties to obtain information necessary for review and analyses of utility cases.
• Coordination of and/or participation in team meetings to discuss and reach consensus on litigated issues in utility cases.
• Collaboration with in-house attorneys assigned to cases.
• Utility compliance review.
• Presentation of utility matters.
• Other responsibilities as necessary.

Customers

The Utility Division serves as advocacy staff to the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission by representing the public interest in the regulation of electric, natural gas, water, wastewater, and telecommunication matters. The public interest, as defined by law, seeks to balance the interests of consumers with those of utility investors.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have education and/or experience with financial and/or economic analyses, generally, and preferably in utility regulation, specifically. The ideal candidate will possess the skills required to:

• Express complex matters clearly in writing and orally.
• Meet deadlines.
• Work successfully in either a team environment or individually.
• Have an interest in learning about a rapidly evolving utility industry.

Qualifications

Associate Degree in Economics, Statistics, or Business Administration and two (2) years of experience in database manipulation, statistical analysis, or spreadsheet and/or statistical software usage. Any combination of education from an accredited college or university in a related field and/or direct experience in this occupation totaling four (4) years may substitute for the required education and experience.

Employment Requirements

• Driver's license and background check prior to hire.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting with exposure to Visual/Video Display Terminal (VDT) and extensive personal computer and phone usage.