Regulatory Policy Analyst

Minimum Qualifications
Education and/or Equivalent Experience:

• Bachelors degree in Business, Economic, Public Affairs, or any utility regulatory process development field plus five (5) years of related work experience.
• Masters degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years.

Licenses or Certifications:

• None.

Notes to Applicants
About This Position: This position reports to Austin Water’s Chief Administrative Officer and is part of the Director’s Office team. Managing Austin Water’s state legislative program is a primary focus, on a seasonal basis. During other periods, primary focus includes supporting City Council and advisory commission processes and communications, in coordination with department executives and Director’s Office staff. Other duties include monitoring and analyzing federal legislation and working on key regulatory issues with Austin Water’s Drinking Water and Wastewater Regulatory Managers. Special projects and other duties may be assigned that could involve other governmental entities, as well as internal policies and procedures.

Working with Austin Water provides a number of benefits including medical, paid leave time, a great retirement plan, training opportunities and more! Click HERE for more information.

When completing the City of Austin employment application:

• Please be sure to detail on the application all previous employment that you wish to be considered as part of your qualifications. Please include contact information from previous employers.
• A detailed, complete employment application is required. It helps us to better evaluate your qualifications and will be used to determine salary if you are selected for this position. Be sure to provide job title and employment dates for all jobs you wish to be considered.
• A resume is required, but will not substitute for a complete employment application. Please do not use the phrase “see resume” or refer to other documents to complete your application. Do not leave the “Duties and Responsibilities” sections blank. These will be considered incomplete applications. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

If you are selected to interview:

• Your skill level in some of the competency areas for this job will be assessed through a writing assessment, online proof-reading assessment and presentation.

If you are selected for hire:

• Verification of your education (which may include high school graduation or GED , undergraduate and/or graduate degrees) is required. You must provide proof of education from an accredited organization or institution. You must also provide proof of your professional licenses or certifications.
• If you are in the military or are a military veteran, you will need to provide a copy of the Member 4 page of your DD-214 prior to confirming a start date.

Travel:

If you are selected for this position, and meet the Driver Safety Standards in the City of Austin Driver Safety Program , you may drive when necessary to multiple locations as part of your regular job duties. Otherwise, you are responsible for getting to and from these locations.

Effective October 1, 2014, all Austin Water worksite locations are tobacco-free. Use of tobacco products and/or e-cigarettes is not permitted on any AW worksite - including construction sites, parking lot, garage or in any personal vehicle located on the premises.

Pay Range
$41.70 - $54.21 per hour

Hours
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Monday-Friday, other hours as business needs require. Must be able to attend evening Council/Commission/legislative meetings as required.
Job Close Date 08/05/2024 Type of Posting External Department Austin Water Utility Regular/Temporary Regular Grant Funded or Pooled Position Not Applicable Category Professional Location Waller Creek Center, 625 East 10th Street, Austin, TX 78701 Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Experience:

• Knowledge of applicable federal, state and local laws, and experience with legislative processes, evaluating political conditions and making appropriate recommendations, drafting legislation or legislative agenda items and preparing responses to inquiries from elected or appointed officials
• Experience with policy analysis, policy development and assessment of potential impacts
• Experience communicating technical and complex information to lay people and executives, both orally and in writing, and maintaining confidentiality regarding politically sensitive matters
• Demonstrated high proficiency and skill set acquired through experience working with public sector employees and elected officials at local or state levels
• Ability to travel to more than one work location and work occasional nights or weekends
• Ability to meet tight deadlines with short notice, while maintaining strong attention to detail
• Master’s Degree in Public Affairs, Public Administration, Political Science or related field

Duties, Functions and Responsibilities
Essential duties and functions, pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, may include the following. Other related duties may be assigned.
Design and coordinate legislative strategies with appropriate staff to improve the department’s position in the industry. Serve as the liaison with industry, cooperatives, municipalities, new market entrants, and environmental and consumer organizations. Analyze and monitor state and federal regulatory and legislative trends as implemented throughout the industry. Oversee, monitor and participate in the state regulatory authorities’ processes including rule changes, workshops and projects. Perform economic analyses of state and federal operational and financial reports related to the industry. Testify as an expert witness in proceedings and workshops before the state regulatory authority, as required. Review financial and economic analyses and regulatory studies related to the industry. Serve as liaison with the technical staff of and the state regulatory agency. Provide research on regulatory related issues, analyze strategic alternatives recommend strategic policy. Promote department’s legislative program before the state legislature and its various committees. Represent department’s interests and positions before federal and state governmental bodies and industry associations. Serves as primary liaison and provides technical assistance to the City Council and Commissions. Provide leadership insight, and concepts in public and community relations activities Prepares status reports on legislative, City Council and other various assigned projects and briefs executive management.

Responsibilities- Supervision and/or Leadership Exercised:

• May lead teams of personnel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Must possess required knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience and be able to explain and demonstrate, with or without reasonable accommodations, that the essential functions of the job can be performed.

• Advanced knowledge of regulatory processes at the state, federal and local level
• Basic understanding of revenue requirements, rate design and rate filing requirements
• Knowledge of utility regulation issues
• Basic understanding of municipal utility finance and accounting
• Knowledge of competitive business practices and analysis
• Ability to understand and implement performance based measurements
• Ability to complete detailed analysis
• Ability to work independently and in teams
• Ability to review materials to be submitted for regulatory proceedings
• Skill in preparing and analyzing economic and statistical reports
• Skill in communicating effectively, orally and in writing
• Skill in using computers and related software applications
• Skill in preparing professional reports, papers, and articles for publication

Criminal Background Investigation This position does not require a Criminal Background Investigation EEO/ADA
City of Austin is committed to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require reasonable accommodation during the application process or have a question regarding an essential job function, please call (512) 974-3210 or Texas Relay by dialing 7-1-1.

The City of Austin will not discriminate against any applicant or employee based on race, creed, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, religion, veteran status, disability, or sexual orientation. In addition, the City will not discriminate in employment decisions on the basis of an individual’s AIDS , AIDS Related Complex, or HIV status; nor will the City discriminate against individuals who are perceived to be at risk of HIV infection, or who associate with individuals who are believed to be at risk.
Information For City Employees: If you are an employee within the department, are in good standing and meet both the minimum and preferred qualifications, then you will receive an initial interview.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
* This position requires a Bachelors degree in Business, Economic, Public Affairs, or any utility regulatory process development field plus five (5) years of related work experience. Masters degree may substitute for experience up to two (2) years. Do you meet these minimum qualifications?

• Yes
• No

* Some additional hours/days beyond your regular shift will be required to provide support at the State Legislature, City Council, and Board and Commission meetings. Are you available to work additional hours/days when required

• Yes
• No

* Do you have a Master's Degree in Public Administration, Public Policy, Political Science, or related field or law degree?

• Yes
• No

* Do you have the ability to travel to multiple sites as part of the regular job duties?

• Yes
• No

* Were you referred to this opportunity by an Austin Water employee? If yes, please provide the employee’s full name.
(Open Ended Question)
* How many years of experience do you have in legislative processes?

• None (0.0 points)
• 1- 2 years
• 3 -4 years
• 5+ years

* How many years of experience with policy analysis, policy development, and assessment of potential impacts?

• None (0.0 points)
• 1- 2 years
• 3 -4 years
• 5+ years

* How many years of work experience in a politically sensitive environment and your ability to convey complex and technical information to elected officials, stakeholder groups, boards and commissions, and City staff with a strong collaborative approach and strategic leadership?

• None (0.0 points)
• 1- 2 years
• 3 -4 years
• 5+ years

* How many years of working experience in a high-volume, fast-paced, task-driven environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy?

• None (0.0 points)
• 1- 2 years
• 3 -4 years
• 5+ years

Optional & Required Documents

Required Documents Cover Letter Resume Optional Documents

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