Utility Analyst/Economist

Utility Analyst/Economist – Job Notice

Position Summary

The Oregon Citizens’ Utility Board (CUB) is hiring a Utility Analyst/Economist to join our team of analysts and attorneys working to protect consumers and promote equity and fairness as Oregon transitions to a clean energy economy.

About CUB

CUB is a non-profit established by initiative process to represent the interests of Oregon’s

residential utility customers.

CUB advocates for customers by working to develop energy systems that are affordable, accessible, reliable, and clean, and for telecommunications policies that support universal access to Broadband.

• Affordable utilities. CUB keeps utility rates affordable by challenging utility rate proposals and has successfully saved energy and telecommunications customers more than $10 billion.
• Advance energy efficiency and renewables. CUB was instrumental in creating the Energy Trust of Oregon to deliver energy efficiency and renewable energy programs.
• Reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CUB was central to the negotiations that led to the closure of Oregon’s only coal plant and worked as part of a broad coalition to pass Oregon’s 100% clean electricity legislation.
• Protect the accessibility and affordability of telephone and internet access services. CUB’s advocacy was critical to the passage of Oregon’s Net Neutrality and Rural Broadband bills.
• Ensure that diversity, equity, and inclusion are promoted in utility policy. CUB has worked with community groups to broaden participation in energy policy decision making, worked to protect vulnerable communities’ access to electricity, natural gas, and broadband during the recent COVID-19 crisis, helped develop programs to prevent low- income customer utility shut-offs, and promote weatherization and community solar. CUB strives to integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) principles in all our work.

Job Responsibilities

This Utility Analyst/Economist will help shape utility policy as the region transitions to a low-carbon economy. This position is an integral member of CUB’s Program Team which includes CUB’s Executive Director, Policy & Program Director, General Counsel, and Analysts. The Utility Analyst/Economist reports directly to CUB’s General Counsel and will engage on important and fast- paced utility-related issues as we seek to protect Oregon customers during a period of marked technological, climate, and policy change.

• Work with CUB’s lawyers and analysts to determine CUB’s position and strategy relating to

regulatory proceedings at the Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) and other arenas.

• Develop analysis of utility resource plans, general rate cases, and other utility filings (which may include economic forecasting, accounting, engineering, resource modeling and portfolio evaluation, and public policy).
• Collaborate and strategize with CUB’s Program Team on developing a ‘theory of the case’ and what information is required to support CUB’s position.
• Conduct discovery to determine the actual impact of utility proposals.
• Prepare written comments and provide oral comments at PUC public meetings.
• Prepare and defend written testimony in proceedings before the PUC.
• Support CUB’s general counsel in settlement conferences and docket proceedings.
• Help develop policies around critical utility issues such as the clean energy transition, integrated resource planning, distributed generation, demand response, energy efficiency, wildfire mitigation planning, large customer load, energy burden, and other emerging issues.
• Analyze legislative proposals.
• Work with CUB’s Program Team and Equity Analyst to ensure that an equity lens is applied to elements of our work.
• Work with CUB’s Outreach Team to quickly and clearly communicate the impact of utility proposals and resolutions on administrative proceedings.
• Collaborate with CUB’s partners to address overarching policy and resource planning development.
• Share in the administrative responsibilities, and other tasks as needed, of a collaborative and informal work environment.

Qualifications

• Familiarity with environmental justice, low-income issues, and a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. (Lived experience encouraged, in addition to professional or educational experience.)
• Graduate degree in Economics, Engineering, Accounting, Public Policy, or similar field, or several years of experience as a technical analyst.
• Knowledge and experience related to energy regulation, wildfire resiliency, and clean energy generation is a plus. Applicants without this experience may be considered if they are able to demonstrate a genuine interest in this area combined with experience in economic or other technical analysis.
• Detail-oriented with a demonstrated ability to work independently and meet aggressive project deadlines.
• Friendly, professional demeanor with a demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with others, sense of humor.
• Excellent analytical, research, writing and oral presentation skills.
• Ability to give and take direction graciously.

Terms of employment and compensation

The Utility Analyst/Economist works in CUB’s downtown Portland office. Hybrid working arrangements are available depending on job responsibilities. Pay range is $65,000 to $80,000 with a generous sick and PTO policy, family and bereavement leave, health insurance benefits including 100 percent individual coverage, and a 401(k) retirement plan. This is a full-time, salaried-exempt position. Though CUB’s work is serious, we place a priority on healthy work/life balance.

How to apply

CUB encourages applicants from all backgrounds to apply.* In your cover letter, we invite you to provide details that demonstrate how your education, training, and/or experience meets the qualifications listed above. Additionally, please list how you found our job posting in your cover letter.

Please email your cover letter, resume, and a short writing sample (max 4 pages) to Sharif Morton at sharif@oregoncub.org and put “Utility Analyst/Economist” in the subject line. The deadline to apply is April 28, 2025.

• A note to potential candidates: Studies have shown that women, trans, non-binary, BIPOC, and other candidates from most-impacted communities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, and we are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a background less traditional to our field of work, and that is welcome. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you do not believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.