Regulatory Policy Consultant - Transmission Policy & Contracts

Job Description

Puget Sound Energy’s Transmission Policy and Contracts department is looking for a Regulatory Policy Consultant to join our team!  This is an excellent opportunity to play an integral role at PSE to meet our new clean energy goals and to drive a transformation of the region’s generation and transmission portfolio.

This Regulatory Policy Consultant role is a lead position on the Transmission Policy & Contracts team.  They are responsible for processing requests for service per PSE’s Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) and administering and managing transmission contracts.  The Regulatory Policy Consultant manages the transmission customer relationship from initial request through contract execution and ongoing contract management.  In addition, as a lead, the Regulatory Policy Consultant trains and mentors junior staff in the negotiation, administration, and analyses of transmission contracts.  We are looking for candidates with a background in a variety of fields including contract administration and management, electric utility operations, project management, engineering, or wholesale transmission and power markets.

In addition to managing the transmission relationship, they provides oversight in researching, planning, developing and implementing federal filings and PSE’s FERC transmission and Open Access Transmission Tariff (OATT) compliance programs to ensure PSE meets all federal, state and other regulatory requirements.  They also provide strategic guidance and analysis of federal regulatory policy, advises internal departments of regulatory requirements and provides strategic guidance to meet those requirements.  To successfully perform their duties, the Regulatory Policy Consultant must monitor federal, regional and state regulations, orders and rules to stay informed of current and changing requirements.  The Regulatory Policy Consultant is also called upon to develop and conducts employee training on relevant requirements.  

As with all PSE employees, the Regulatory Policy Consultant is expected to demonstrates commitment to conduct business honestly, ethically and consistent with our PSE’s core values and Code of Conduct and to ensure duties are performed in accordance with all regulatory compliance obligations.
 

Job Responsibilities

• Processes FERC transmission and generator interconnection customer requests for service per PSE’s OATT and FERC regulations
• Manages transmission agreements from contract negotiation through execution and ongoing contract management
• Serves as the strategic lead on contract negotiations, special projects, technical analyses, and complex dispute resolutions. 
• Responds to customer inquiries and coordinates work with multiple internal departments
• Coordinates work with outside affected entities
• Trains and mentors members of the Transmission Policy and Contracts team.
• Plans, develops and implements PSE’s FERC transmission and Open Access Transmission Tariff compliance programs to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements. 
• Formulates internal control practices and processes for managing potential risks and exposures. 
• Researches and prepares strategic analysis to ensure the company remains compliant with current federal, regional, state and other statutes, regulations and orders.
• Provides regulatory strategy, strategic guidance and coordination for federal, regional and state rulemaking proceedings and tariff filings. 
• Develops training programs to ensure employees are knowledgeable regarding regulatory compliance issues and conducts necessary training.
• Coordinates with compliance personnel to meet compliance standards and timelines in other departments.
• Directs activity for the testing, monitoring and support of high level assessment by business unit in regard to formal audits.  Interacts with internal and external auditors to provide support and address audit concerns; implements responsive and corrective solutions. 
• Performs investigations, as necessary, related to potential regulatory/compliance violations. 
• Works cooperatively across the organization and company where applicable, to communicate pending or upcoming regulatory proposals and for obtaining input in aligning regulatory proposals with the company objectives.  
• Develops complete and executable plans.
• Supports assessments of the effectiveness of compliance controls.  
• Maintains oversight of monitoring and tracking of employee required compliance training.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in business, public policy, finance, economics or communications or applicable field; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 8 years’ experience including 3 years in regulatory compliance and 5 years of regulatory policy development.  
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong negotiating, problem solving and conflict resolution skills.
• Must be self-directed and willing to mentor peers and team members.
• Thorough understanding of utility operations, policy issues and regulation.
• Thorough understanding of federal, regional and state rules and regulations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access or other database applications.

Desired Qualifications

• CPA, MBA, JD, PE or experience in public policy.
• Thorough understanding of compliance regulations and processes specific to the department/area of hire. 
   

Additional Information

Please note: this job posting is one of two that will be used to advertise and fill only one vacancy at the Regulatory Compliance Consultant or Regulatory Policy Consultant level depending on the most qualified applicant across the two job openings posted. Only apply to one of the two job openings based on which level best matches your work experience. Job postings involved with this opening are 5035 and 5036.