Energy Affordability Regulatory Analyst

NW Natural's Rates and Regulatory Affairs Team leads the company's regulatory efforts by working closely with all of our stakeholders to develop collaborative solutions with our regulatory commissions and ensure regulatory compliance of our daily operations. Our role is unique in that we work and interact closely with a variety of both internal and external stakeholders to accomplish our regulatory objectives. Our day-to-day workload is dynamic, flexing in response to regulatory deadlines and business needs, yet always anchored in the company's core values: integrity, service ethic, caring, environmental stewardship, and safety.

As our Energy Affordability Regulatory Analyst, you will be a key resource for both internal and external stakeholders in managing and coordinating NW Natural's regulatory and compliance activities with a focus on income-qualified programs and customer protections. The overall responsibilities include:

Participate in regulatory proceedings focused on energy affordability and customer protections, representing the Company in regulatory settings. Develop and provide expertise on the topics of energy affordability programs and customer protections and related compliance with NW Natural's tariffs, state laws and rules pertaining to utility regulation, and the regulatory requirements imposed by state utility commissions. Participate in external and community events as needed to support energy affordability programs and activities. Responsible for reviewing and assisting with interpretation of state regulatory commissions orders and performing tasks required under those orders. Assist Rates and Regulatory Affairs team on other tasks as needed.

• Partner with Energy Affordability Program Manager to manage and maintain NW Natural's income-based energy assistance programs from a regulatory compliance perspective, including (but not limited to) bill discount program and the arrearage management program; define and develop strategies for assessment; and identify opportunities for refinement and/or improvement.
• Provide subject matter expertise in participating in regulatory proceedings related to income-qualified customer assistance programs and customer protections. Also assist, as needed, with review of filings and reports, such as the integrated resource plan, purchased gas adjustment filings, deferral applications, and rate adjustment filings as they pertain to energy affordability and customer protection issues.
• Collaborate with Energy Affordability and Equity Lead to support implementation of energy justice strategies, practices and initiatives.
• Lead and coordinate NW Natural's periodic energy burden assessments and surveys in collaboration with NW Natural's energy affordability program teams; work with the Energy Affordability and Equity Lead and
• Energy Affordability Program Manager to use findings to refine/improve energy affordability programs.
• Work with NW Natural's energy affordability program teams to manage the reporting of and analysis of NW Natural's bill discount, arrearage management and future energy affordability programs for internal information and regulatory compliance.
• Participate in and contribute to NW Natural energy affordability advisory groups and OPUC/WUTC workshops and proceedings involving energy affordability issues and customer protections.
• Participate in external and community events as needed to support energy affordability programs and activities.
• Assist and support NW Natural's Community Equity and Advisory Group
• Develop expertise regarding the Company's tariffs, state statutes and rules pertaining to utility regulation and regulatory requirements of state utility commissions, with particular focus on customer protections
• Maintain high subject matter expertise on energy affordability and customer protection issues through continual research, participation in industry organizations, memberships, etc.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant regulations and policies related to low-income programs and customer protections.
• Assist in the team's participation in regulatory proceedings and ongoing compliance activities before state public utilities commissions. Work closely with external stakeholders, including consumer advocates and utility commission staff.
• Contribute to a team environment responsible for managing the Company's relationship with and requirements of state utility commissions.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate supporting community events and peak periods.
• Support Company's commitment to a culture of safe work practices.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Manager.

• Bachelor's degree and a minimum of three to five years of energy affordability programs and/or public policy and/or regulated utility experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience resulting in proven compliance, rule interpretation and/or analysis skills that can be applied in a regulatory environment.
• Experience working in the energy industry and with energy affordability communities.
• Demonstrated experience in or developed aptitude in applying principles related to affordability, energy equity, environmental and/or social justice, diversity, equity and inclusion, sustainability, or related fields
• Excellent verbal communication skills including communicating with stakeholders, sometimes under contentious conditions, and delivering presentations for varied audiences.
• Excellent written communication skills to prepare presentations and draft formal documents filed in regulatory proceedings.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills including the ability to establish trust, credibility and to influence actions and negotiate outcomes. Proven ability to interact with internal and external stakeholders at all levels with tact, confidentiality, diplomacy, and efficiency.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Ability to quickly gain knowledge of relevant company policies, procedures, practices, and applicable federal, state, and local government laws and regulations.
• Proficient computer skills including Word, and basic functions within Excel. SharePoint experience preferred.
• Must be self-motivated and able to work independently to accomplish responsibilities.
• Must have ability to work a flexible schedule to accommodate occasional peak periods.