Rates & Regulatory Affairs Analyst (Temporary, Up to 24 months)
Department: Rates & Regulatory Affairs
Job Type: Temporary Full Time
City, Province: Kingston, Ontario
Job Category: Accounting / Auditing / Finance
Open Positions:1
Posting Date: January 9, 2025
Closing Date: January 31, 2025
Salary:$77,800.00 - $105,200.00/Year
Employment Type: Replacement
Utilities Kingston is located in Kingston, Ontario, equi-distant from Toronto, Montreal and Ottawa, where the St. Lawrence River meets Lake Ontario and the Rideau Canal (a UNESCO World Heritage site) – Kingston is a stunning, historic city that consistently ranks as one of the best places to live in Canada. Kingston’s 123,363 community-minded citizens enjoy an outstanding quality-of-life enhanced by recreational and creative opportunities and supported by excellent health care facilities and municipal services, programs and facilities.
Utilities Kingston is unique in Ontario, combining water, wastewater, gas, electricity and telecommunications services in one company under the leadership of a single C.E.O. This shared services delivery model gives Utilities Kingston clear advantages in cost savings and customer service over other utility providers in the province. Utilities Kingston has provided the residents of Kingston with safe and reliable utility services for more than 150 years.
Primary Duties
The Rates & Regulatory Affairs Analyst provides expertise, supports the implementation of rates and leads the analysis of changing regulatory requirements for all utilities: electric, gas, water, and wastewater. The incumbent acts as a resource for regulatory, revenue, volume and rates related issues for the organization. S/he is expected to have a meaningful business impact specific to financial performance and regulatory compliance.
Major Responsibilities:
1. Research and analyze all regulatory codes, bulletins and directives for the electricity, gas, water and wastewater industries and advise stakeholders to ensure compliance.
2. Maintain a current understanding of new and evolving legislative requirements.
3. Keep up to date on industry-wide electricity rate applications and reporting of current issues to ensure broad awareness throughout the Corporation, participate in regulatory proceedings and industry working groups as required.
4. Coordinate electricity reporting and record keeping requirements (RRR), electricity scorecard metrics and management discussion and analysis (MDA) with contributors, ensure OEB direction is followed and file required submissions with OEB and IESO in a timely manner.
5. Advise on the implementation of all industry changes relating to pricing and programs and assist with the implementation of other regulatory driven changes with internal utility group leaders.
6. Prepare written reports on industry regulatory issues, initiatives and consultations.
7. Conduct specialized rate design studies including cost-of-service applications.
8. Coordinate, prepare, file, and act as primary contact with the OEB, for electricity price cap IR rate applications and proceedings, and ensure Ontario Energy Board (“OEB”) direction is followed.
9. Prepare detailed sales and revenue forecasts for the gas, water, wastewater and electric utilities including customer class analysis for use in rate design.
10. Develop various models for rate design, cost allocation, and bill impacts as necessary for rate design projects.
11. Develop and recommend proposed rate changes for all utilities to the Manager to ensure a favourable financial position.
12. Assist department managers with the analysis of miscellaneous utility fees and charges by reviewing and analyzing cost information and data, calculating cost of service or fees, making recommendations on revisions to utility fees and charges, coordinating with utility staff, and updating fee schedules.
13. Assist with the preparation of written technical reports on rate changes for all utilities. Assist with the preparation of written rates by-law updates and rate schedule updates for municipal utilities.
14. Assist the Billing Department with the implementation of rate changes into the Customer Information System.
15. Work with the Communications group to ensure accurate and timely delivery of news releases, website changes to rate schedules, and other rate adjustment messaging to customers.
16. Ensure internal stakeholders are provided with program related information such as upcoming rate changes or regulatory program changes.
Education, Certification and Other Qualifications Required
Skills and Abilities:
• Expert attention to detail
• Advanced interpersonal, analytical, problem-solving, and accounting skills
• Advanced experience with computerized billing and collection systems
• Advanced ability to demonstrate sound judgment and decision-making with appropriate level of discretion as the situation dictates
• Advanced ability to display a high degree of professionalism, diplomacy and confidentiality when necessary
• Intermediate communication ability, orally and in writing, to understand, synthesize and analyze complex information and convey clear messages to a variety of audiences
• Intermediate MS Office and advanced Excel skills
• Ability to research, interpret, and apply applicable regulations, codes, by-laws
• Ability to work independently on diverse projects and as part of a team
Knowledge:
• Intermediate knowledge of forecasting and financial analysis methods and techniques
• Some knowledge of electricity industry, natural gas industry, public utility, and regulatory frameworks, including Independent Electricity System Operator and OEB electricity and natural gas rules, codes and regulations
• Knowledge of utilities cost allocation and rate design principles, methodologies, concepts and issues would be considered an asset
• Basic knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety requirements as it relates to individuals, the organization and operational requirements
Experience:
• Post-secondary diploma in a field related to Finance or Business Administration
• 3-5 years working in a regulated utility business environment. In particular, experience in electricity and natural gas sectors
• Class G drivers’ license
Your resume and/or cover letter must clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the position.
Appropriate accommodations will be provided as required by the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) upon request.
Utilities Kingston is committed to employment equity and we encourage applications from all designated group members. Our goal is a diverse, inclusive workforce that reflects the Kingston community.
Utilities Kingston thanks all candidate that apply, however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.
