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Employer: California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) – Office of Ratepayer Advocates

Expires: 09/11/2021

Under close supervision and general direction, the incumbent duties will include (one) conduct technical, analytical, and policy research through systematic application and interpretation of standard economic, statistical, and financial theories, approaches and methodologies, and interdisciplinary policy analysis based on interpretation of Commission decisions, policies, goals and procedures, utility general rate cases, utility programs and practices, and state and federal policies, and (two) make evidence-based recommendations on public utility regulatory issues and challenges.The Customer Programs Section is currently working on a range of topics, including:Developing customer protections on communication services for people with disabilities, people who are incarcerated, low-income households and other disadvantaged and marginalized communities to advance social justice.Developing policy recommendations to close the digital divide and ensure safe and reliable phone and broadband services for all Californians.Participating in General Rate Cases (GRC) for Small Rural Telephone Companies to ensure customer protections of phone and broadband services in rural areas, developing just and reasonable rates for customers.Developing policy recommendations to achieve affordable broadband services, particularly for low-income customers in rural areas and increase broadband adoption.Carrying out these functions entails the following:Developing and applying standard solutions, approaches and methodologies.Collecting, synthesizing, modeling, and analyzing data (quantitative and qualitative).Using spreadsheets and other quantitative tools.Developing evidence-based recommendations.Present research, analysis, findings, and recommendations orally and in writing.Write high-quality protests, testimony, and comments related to general rate cases, other proceedings (e.g., complaints, applications, investigations, rulemakings, workshops, and committee meetings), advice letters and other utility filings.Attend and represent the Public Advocates Office at intra-agency and inter-agency conferences, workshops, and public meetings concerning issues of utility rates and service, proposed new and federal regulations, public-purpose programs, and other related issues.Testify in evidential hearings and coordinates with attorneys on litigation strategy and cross-examination questions.Participate in settlement negotiations.Assist in developing presentations for the Public Advocates Office management and Commissioners’ offices.Respond to requests for assistance from the Public Advocates Office management and Commissioners’ offices.Department InformationPublic Advocates Office / Communications and Water Policy Branch / Customer Programs Section:The Public Advocates Office at the California Public Utilities Commission represents residential and small business interests to ensure customers receive safe and reliable utility services at the lowest possible rates. We participate in Commission proceedings and processes including workshops, rulemakings, investigations, hearings, utility filings and other forums.The Customer Program Section in the Communications and Water Policy (CWP) Branch represents customers’ interests on issues related to phone and broadband services including achieving universal access to these essential services that are safe, reliable, and affordable.The recent COVID-19 pandemic, deenergization events and emergency disasters such as wildfires has accelerated the states efforts to address growing disparities between people who have access to affordable communications services and those who do not.The Customer Programs Section works on multiple communications services public purpose programs that provide customer protections and support to Californians most in need including support for communication services for low-income households, communications devices for people with disabilities, and developing policies to achieve just and reasonable phone and broadband services for Californians in rural areas and tribal communities.Join a team of professionals working on these critical communications services issues to seek customer protections for all Californians.Please visit www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov for more information on the Public Advocates Office.