Regulatory Analyst

The South Carolina Office of Regulatory Staff (ORS) represents the public interest of South Carolina in utility regulation for the major utility industries – electric, natural gas, telecommunications, water/wastewater, and transportation – before the Public Service Commission (PSC), the court system, and state and federal regulatory bodies. Additionally, the ORS houses the state’s Energy Office, Broadband Office, Equipment Distribution Program (EDP), and has responsibility for oversight of railroad safety and natural gas pipeline safety in South Carolina. 

The ORS Energy Operations Department performs a wide variety of analytical, research and administrative functions in the regulation of investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities. This position performs regulatory oversight duties related to utility operations, financial impacts on both utilities and customers, electric and natural gas reliability, commodity forecasts, and other regulatory oversight functions. Job responsibilities include:

• Coordinate, prepare and submit reports, correspondence, and testimony for assigned casework. These may include rate cases, annual fuel reviews, rate stabilization act, purchased gas adjustment and gas purchasing policies, utility siting act, or other matters in which the ORS represents the public interest before the PSC. 
• Present findings, recommendations, and the ORS positions in procedural hearings by testifying under oath before the PSC.
• Prepare and submit data requests to obtain data and information to support review and assessment activities in accordance with the ORS's mission.
• Monitor, assess, and report on utility day-to-day operations, power plant operations and performance, power plant and utility equipment maintenance, company policy and procedure compliance, cost of service studies, cost recovery proposals, depreciation studies, forecasting methodology, annual revenue requirements, rate design, financial reporting, and other matters related to regulated utilities. Maintain awareness and communicate relevant state or federal changes or impacts on these issues.
• Coordinate, collaborate, and serve as a liaison with other ORS departments, government agencies, utilities, and other stakeholders as needed. 

• Bachelor's degree in accounting, business, finance, mathematics, economics, engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, or nuclear), or related field.
• Proficiency in current technology to include Adobe Pro and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of regulatory principles applicable to investor-owned utilities. 
• Knowledge of electric and natural gas utility operations and regional transmission planning structure including Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regulations. 
• Ability to independently research, analyze, and apply technical and complex data. 
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately in verbal and written form. 
  

• Advanced degree in accounting, business, finance, mathematics, economics, engineering (mechanical, electrical, civil, or nuclear). 
• Experience related to the analysis or operation of regulated public utilities. 
• Ability to apply basic accounting principles to review and analyze utility financial statements such as income statements, balance sheets, and depreciation schedules. 
• Familiarity with electric generation technologies and performance metrics including the application of North American Reliability Corporation (NERC) Generation Availability Data System (GADS) data.

• Position requires limited travel to include evening and/or out-of-town meetings. 
• All ORS employees are required to attend ethics training annually for continued employment. 
• All ORS employees are prohibited from owning equity in regulated utilities. 
• Work hours are Monday-Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm. Remote work is not available, and employees work in-office at 1901 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201.