Utility specialist plant audit specialist

Utilities Specialist 2 (Plant Audit Specialist)

Rates and Analysis Department

Grid Modernization and Retail

Hourly Rate: $36.90

About Rates And Analysis Department

The Rates and Analysis Department participate in federal and state programs and investigations regarding energy policy, delivery and reliability; monitors and advises on utility conformance with prudent corporate oversight practices and procedures; monitors energy efficiency and portfolio compliance requirements; processes utility rate change requests and performs technical investigations. The department is comprised of accounting and finance, grid modernization and retail markets, and regulatory utility services divisions.

What You'll Do

In this position as a Utility Specialist 2, your duties will consist of but not limited to the following:

• Acts as a Utility Specialist with comprehensive expertise of public utility accounting and rate-setting policies, practices, and procedures in the audit of single-issue ratemaking items (riders) assigned to the Grid Mod Division and distribution rate cases processed by the Rates and Analysis Department
• Independently conduct and/or leads accounting compliance audits of investor-owned public utility companies riders for assigned topic areas to ensure rider rates are just, reasonable, and in accordance with the established criteria (GAAP, FERC, UsoA, OAC, and Commission Orders and precedent), and writes Staff Reports to detail the rider application, audit process, and investigation findings
• Review of rate base items, notably distribution plant in service and other capital related components contained in applications for cost recovery filed by the utilities
• Identifies important issues and/or problems, draws conclusions, and makes written and/or oral reports and/or recommendations to supervisors
  
  

Report in location: 180 E. Broad St., Columbus, Ohio 43215, Franklin County.

Out-of-state And Overnight Travel May Be Required

PUCO core hours of operation are Monday-Friday from 8:00am to 5:00pm, however, daily start/end times may vary based on operational need across PUCO departments. Most positions perform work on-site at the PUCO Central Office. The PUCO offers flextime work schedules that allow an employee to start the day as early as 6:00am or as late as 10:30am. Flex-time schedules are based on operational need and require supervisor approval.

Salary Information: Unless required by legislation or union contract, starting salary is set at the lowest rate of the salary range. In most cases, successful employees will increase a step in the salary range within six months, with subsequent step increases occurring every year. In addition, the State of Ohio offers cost of living adjustments, longevity supplements after five years of public service, and wellness incentives.

Completion of graduate core program or 3 yrs. exp. in one or more of following academic fields; accounting, code enforcement, finance, business administration, public administration, utility &/or transportation code of enforcement, geology, management, law, economics, mathematics or engineering; 3 yrs. exp. in utility or transportation regulatory experience involving combination of following: PUCO operations, programs & policies affecting regulation of utility or transportation companies, state & federal laws, regulations & procedures governing utility or transportation company operations, competitive programs & alternative regulations, rate &/or tariff structure, financing & securities or economics applied to utility or transportation companies, utility or transportation regulatory processing & case hearing proceedings, cost recovery & cost adjustment methods & procedures, enforcement of customer service standards, statistical, mathematical or analytical methods used in formulating & solving problems or in decision making, developing & conducting research studies, customer preference surveys &/or investigations of enforcement, scientific, technical or legal nature involving issues of utility or transportation regulation or alternative regulation or competitive markets.

• Or 24 mos. exp. as Utility Specialist 1, 66951.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.
  
  

Job Skills: Utilities

Organization

Public Utilities Commission

Agency Contact Name and Information

HUMAN RESOURCES - [email protected].

Unposting Date

Oct 2, 2025, 3:59:00 AM

Primary Location

United States of America-OHIO-Franklin County-Columbus

Compensation

36.90

Schedule

Full-time

Work Hours

8:00-5:00 Flex Available

Classified Indicator

Classified

Union

OCSEA

Primary Job Skill

Utilities

Technical Skills

Internal Auditing, Regulatory Compliance, Accounting and Finance, Investigation

Professional Skills

Attention to Detail, Interpreting Data, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Agency Overview

The Public Utilities Commissions of Ohio (PUCO) affect nearly every household in Ohio. The PUCO regulates providers of all types of utility services which include electric and natural gas companies, local and long-distance telephone, water and wastewater, and rail and trucking companies. More recently, the PUCO gained responsibility for facilitating competitive utility choices for Ohio consumers.

To carry out our responsibilities, the PUCO employs a professional staff that includes engineers, economists, attorneys, and safety inspectors. Continually monitoring the activities of utility and transportation companies, the PUCO works to ensure safe and reliable services for all Ohioans.

Our mission is to assure all residential and business consumers access to adequate, safe and reliable utility services at fair prices, while facilitating an environment that provides competitive choices.