This information is for reference only. These classifications are no longer valid and were replaced 7/1/2020.
This is senior-level professional supervisory and specialized economic research work in the analysis of supply systems, rates, and the demand for regulated utility services.
Applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:
(The following minimum qualifications will determine merit system eligibility. Allowable experience and education substitutions are provided in italics below the corresponding minimum qualification statement; no other substitutions will be permitted. These minimum qualifications may also be used to evaluate applicants for Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System positions not requiring selection from merit registers.)
One or more years of experience as a Regulatory Economist II with the Missouri Uniform Classification and Pay System.
OR
A Ph.D. from an accredited college or University in Economics including 3 earned credit hours in Econometrics, Microeconomic Theory, or Regulatory Economics; and,
One or more years of professional applied research experience or teaching experience at the college level in the field of Economics, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or professional experience performing economic analyses using statistical methods and techniques in a regulatory or utility environment.
OR
A Master’s degree from an accredited college or university in Economics; and,
Two or more years of professional applied research experience or teaching experience at the college level in the field of Economics, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, Statistics, or professional experience performing economic analyses using statistical methods and techniques in a regulatory or utility environment.
OR
A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum of 24 earned credit hours in one or a combination of the following: Economics, Engineering, Finance, Mathematics, or Statistics, including 3 earned credit hours in Econometrics, Microeconomic Theory, Regulatory Economics, or a closely related field; and,
Four or more years of professional or technical experience performing economic analyses using statistical methods and techniques in a regulatory or utility environment.
(24 earned graduate credit hours from an accredited college or university in the specified fields may substitute for one year of the required experience.)
This description may not include all of the duties, knowledge, skills, or abilities associated with this classification.
Plans, designs, and develops economic research projects pertaining to the operation of investor-owned electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, sewer and water companies; provides technical direction for the design of assessment methodologies affecting policy determinations.
Provides technical supervision and training to lower-level professional staff and contractors while serving as lead worker on multi-disciplinary teams; may assign specific duties to staff when conducting investigations or research, or preparing technical or operational reports and papers; participates in difficult and complex projects and/or leading special task forces and coordinates activities to ensure that a consistent approach is implemented.
Assists legal staff in the preparation of briefs on litigated issues and cross-examination of witnesses for Public Service Commission (PSC) hearings; serves as an expert witness in proceedings involving rates, rate design, generation expansion and other regulatory issues; and participates in the negotiations of staff position during settlement discussions on assigned issues in docketed cases.
Consults with administrators to discuss overall intent of projects and determine broad guidelines for studies; develops, in conjunction with management and senior technical staff, research strategies and appropriate analytical methods to address policy issues.
Conducts economic analyses of utility rate-making, including billing units and revenues, class cost of service, rate design, rate impact, lead research analysis, and sample design using statistical techniques such as linear and non-linear regression and differential equations.
Constructs theoretical and econometric models for studies of public utilities, including cost of service, price and income elasticity, projection of future demand, and comparative operational efficiency of companies; devises methods and procedures for collecting and processing data; formulates plans to aid in market interpretation or solution of economic problems such as recommending changes in methods of determining rates; evaluates and describes limitations on the reliability and usability of source information; determines additional data requirements; adjusts and weighs raw data; and organizes results into a form compatible with analysis by computers or other methods.
Evaluates testimony filed by investor-owned utilities and technical staff in order to determine feasibility of proposals and identify factors requiring amendment; provides technical assistance to utilities to enhance statistical modeling methods, improve technology, or reduce costs.
Ensures the maintenance of a repository of socioeconomic, environmental, and regulatory data related to economic analysis.
Exercises significant independence and initiative in the performance of responsibilities; receives general direction from administrative staff in regard to intent and guidelines of projects.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Comprehensive knowledge of available sources and types of information and methods of analysis used in regulated utility industries.
Comprehensive knowledge of descriptive, inferential, and multivariate exploratory statistics, experimental design, and computerized econometric modeling.
Comprehensive knowledge of software packages associated with statistical evaluation and econometrics.
Comprehensive knowledge of the utility industry.
Ability to delegate responsibility and organize, direct, and evaluate the work of analysts conducting research projects or ratemaking studies.
Ability to analyze, interpret, and explain statistical data such as meaningful associations, estimates, or projections, and present results with clarity and precision to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to testify as an expert witness under cross-examination.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with agency staff and representatives of other public and private agencies, and the general public.