Associate, Utility Regulation
Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States | Consulting | Full-time
Job Description
Are you passionate about decarbonization and looking to help transform the US electricity system? Do you enjoy tackling complicated problems with robust analysis and thoughtful communication? If yes, Synapse has a position for you.
Synapse is a consulting company that has been providing rigorous analysis on behalf of public interest clients in the energy sector for more than 25 years. Our work includes expert analysis, reports, and high-impact expert witness testimony in docketed proceedings before public utility commissions across the country and in Canada. Our clients are primarily environmental non-profits, state agencies, federal agencies, and consumer and environmental advocacy groups.
Synapse is seeking an ambitious Associate with excellent quantitative and writing skills with a strong desire to dive into rate design and utility regulatory models. Candidates should be committed to advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and consumer protection.
Synapse’s experts work on a variety of utility regulation and rate design topics. Our clients seek our support in evaluating electric utility proposals and formulating new and innovative alternatives. While there is a well-established corpus of rate design principles and practices that we draw from, the process of designing rates is not just a rote computational exercise – it is both an art and a science with major consequences. Rate design is a key variable within the complex dynamic of customer and utility behavior; getting the rate design right may be critical for the environment and climate, equity, and overall economic efficiency.
Synapse is also frequently engaged in proceedings to evaluate and implement new regulatory models. Whereas the rate design determines how the utility recovers its revenue requirements, the regulatory model is a broader construct that governs the determination of this utility revenue requirement. More generally, the regulatory framework determines the kinds of risks and incentives that a utility faces – with implications for utility behavior and a range of potential policy objectives related to climate and environment, equity, and economic development. Like the process of designing rates, developing a new regulatory framework is not merely a cut-and-dry empirical exercise. As an Associate, you won’t just be learning from those with more experience – you’ll be an integral part of the analysis process. We value your input and believe that your insights can provide a valuable perspective “up” the chain. Your contributions will shape the way we approach challenges and drive the success of our projects.
Job Responsibilities
The Associate will join our consulting team to focus on two primary topics: (1) rate design and cost of service studies, and (2) utility regulatory models to transform the utility industry into one more aligned with public policy objectives. This role combines economic theory, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and policy expertise to develop expert witness testimony and cutting-edge industry reports or white papers.
As a Utility Regulation Associate, you will:
- Critically analyze electric utility rate proposals, particularly as they relate to:
- Distributed energy resources (including electric vehicles, rooftop solar, and batteries)
- Equity issues (particularly for low-income and other vulnerable populations)
- Economic efficiency, fairness, and energy policy goals
- Assess the risks and tradeoffs between various types of utility ratemaking models, including traditional cost of service studies, cost trackers, multi-year rate plans, and performance incentive mechanisms
- Develop alternative proposals for rate designs or alternative ratemaking mechanisms
- Clearly and succinctly summarize your analysis and policy conclusions in reports, presentations, and expert witness testimony sponsored or co-sponsored by Synapse senior staff
- Begin managing rate design and utility regulation projects as your expertise and experience grows
Required Qualifications
- Degree in Economics, Energy and Environmental Policy, Physical Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Statistics, or related field.
- A Bachelor’s Degree and 2+ years of industry experience. Graduate education can substitute for an equivalent number of years of industry experience.
- A strong desire to grow your skills and build expertise on rate design and utility regulatory issues on behalf of public interest clients.
- Experience analyzing data and converting analysis into quantitative and qualitative information to aid in the decision-making process.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work and communicate well in teams.
- Ability to multitask and prioritize critical tasks and conflicting requirements.
You don’t have to satisfy every requirement or meet every qualification listed above. If your skills are transferable or you are near the number of years of experience we seek, please apply. Applying gives you the opportunity to be considered.
Preferred Qualifications
Any of the following qualifications will be considered an asset:
- A Master’s degree in economics or similar field
- Knowledge of the principles of public utility regulation
- Familiarity with utility rate design principles and cost of service methodologies
- Experience in the electric utility or energy sector
- Experience with quasi-judicial/regulatory environments
Working at Synapse
Synapse offers numerous benefits to its employees:
- Generous and flexible PTO (35 days)
- Flexible work hours and holidays, and the ability to choose a schedule that works for you
- Medical, dental, and life insurance
- Short- and long-term disability
- Employee Assistance Program
- Profit-sharing bonuses
- Collaboration: everybody contributes, asks questions, proposes solutions, and works on interesting research and analysis
- Extensive professional development opportunities
- Cambridge, MA office space with sit-stand desks, lots of meeting space, indoor bike parking, and plenty of nitro cold-brew and kombucha on tap
The Associate base salary range is $64,000-$96,000 annually, based on a full-time schedule. Our base salary range does not include profit-sharing bonuses. Actual salaries will vary based on various factors including but not limited to location, experience, and performance. Synapse offers competitive market salaries, based on our primary market of nonprofits and government agencies. Our salaries reflect our work for these public interest clients.
We are looking for a candidate to start working in early- to mid-2024 in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office. We support a hybrid work environment.
Synapse prides itself on its flexible and collaborative working environment. Synapse currently supports a hybrid work environment so our staff can find the right mix of support, collaboration, and flexibility.
We are unable to sponsor work visas for this position. Authorization to work in the United States is required to be considered.
To apply, please submit your cover letter and resume on our website. In your cover letter, please describe your experience and interest with either (1) utility regulation, rate design, and cost of service studies, or (2) your interest in specializing and becoming an expert in utility regulation and rate design.
Synapse is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a culturally diverse company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We strongly encourage applications from all qualified candidates including women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community.