CHIEF PUBLIC UTILITY ECONOMIST (&41)
Career Family: CHIEF
Chief Public Utility Economist falls in New Jersey's unclassified service: an appointing authority hires for it directly, without a civil service exam.
To be eligible you bring a doctoral degree and 5 years of relevant experience. The FY 2027 range lands between $168,248 and $241,677.
How to apply
This title is not filled by examination — agencies appoint directly.
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See where to apply for this title →Official job specification
The text below is the official specification published by the New Jersey Civil Service Commission. The plain-language summary and analysis above are derived from it by NJ Civil Service Navigator. Source: the official specification page at NJ CSC.
Definition
Under the general direction of the President of the Public Utilities Commission, performs as the chief economic advisor to the Board of Public Utility Commissioners; directs and assists the Board's staff in the preparation and presentation of all economic research and economic testimony on the Board's behalf; coordinates representation of the Board's position on all economic issues before state and federal legislative bodies as well as other state and federal regulatory bodies; does related work as required.
Examples of work
- Develops and implements data retrieval systems required to litigate economic and financial disputes brought to the Board for resolution.
- Establishes a systematic review process to regularly study the future load forecasts and plant expansion plans of all electric and gas companies in the state.
- Provides regular evaluations of proposed legislation having economic impact upon regulated utilities subject to the Board's jurisdiction.
- Formulates underlying economic analysis of selected legislation, and when required, appears as an expert witness.
- Reviews current rate design practices of regulated utilities and evaluates the effectiveness of these rates in view of the goals established by the Board.
- Acts as economic advisor to attorneys handling cases.
- Where statutes require, develops guidelines to implement the pursuit of competitive markets and prevents predatory behavior on the part of regulated companies. In this area establishes working relationships with various state and federal agencies enforcing antitrust statutes.
- Represents the Board on the following boards/agencies:
- Governor's State Economic Planning Council NARUC Staff Subcommittee on Economics
- National Regulatory Research Institute
- Directs and prepares expert economic testimony on such matters as rate design, financial analysis, utility efficiency, and any other economic issue relevant to the Board's responsibilities.
Education
A Doctorate degree in economics, econometrics, or finance from an accredited university.
Experience
Five years of comprehensive research or regulatory experience dealing with Public Utilities operations.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Thorough knowledge of economic theory, regulatory economics, industrial organization, economic statistics, and related disciplines of accounting and finance.
- Ability to design research programs related to regulatory problems. This shall include the preparation of suitable econometric methodologies for the testing of hypotheses.
- Ability to conduct in-service economic education seminars on topics related to the ongoing regulatory problems confronting the Board.
- Ability to represent the Board in economic policy discussions with regulated utilities, state agencies, and various public interest groups.
- Ability to communicate and explain complex regulatory economic principles to forums selected by the Board.
- Ability to synthesize economic problems related to the growth and development of the state's economy. Particularly important are the consequences of rate increases on the economic health of the state.
- Ability to coordinate and evaluate the performance of under-graduate and graduate students appointed to PUC economic internships.
- Actively encourage interviews and seminars, the career opportunities in regulatory service.
- Ability to read, write, speak and understand English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position.
- Good health and freedom from disabling physical and mental defects which would impair the proper performance of the required duties of which might endanger the health and safety of oneself or others.