Job Description:

Actively manage, promote and develop actions to fulfill Tri-State’s mission to provide Member Systems with a reliable, affordable, and responsible supply of electricity in accordance with cooperative principles and in compliance with FERC regulations and guidelines.

Work with team to establish and manage FERC rate department in Tri-State. Manage necessary staff including Rate Analysts, Rate Accountants, and others as needed. Provide rate design analysis to CEO, General Counsel and Board of Directors. Work with Member Services, Transmission, Markets, Accounting and Finance on rate-related issues. Work with Deputy General Counsel/Corporate General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel/ FERC Regulation on rate related corporate matters and rate litigation; and coordinate with Senor Manager/Regulatory Administration on FERC Administrative issues.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes:

Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 50%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Rate Program Manager

Hiring Salary Range: $124,000-$168,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

Responsibilities:

• Effectively manage rate case and rate administrative functions across multiple Tri-State departments

• Manage relationship and communications between company and FERC on rate matters.

• Manage relationship between member rates within the regulatory group, lawyers, and rate functions in other departments such as the Transmission OATT rate and the Market Based Rates administered by the Energy Markets group.

• Manage close relationships with Accounting and Finance groups to maintain proper access and control of information to develop new rates and administer rate functions, primarily Cost of Service

• Provide information to executives and Board of Directors in a concise and clear manner as required.

• Manage the relationship between rates and other regulatory functions for consistency in FERC regulation and information exchange.

• Manage information exchange directly with FERC, outside counsel, and consultants including privileged and confidential treatment requirements.

• Manage all information flow between Rates and member Services for use by Members.

• Work with members and other G&Ts on information exchange consistent with privileged and confidentiality needs of Tri-State.

• Lead effort to migrate Cost of Service application from external consultants to an internal function.

• Develop, maintain, and apply knowledge of FERC rules and requirements surrounding FERC-jurisdictional rate development and related areas.

• Stay informed of FERC regulations and orders that may impact Tri-State's rates, policies, practices, and procedures, and contribute to internal processes in response to changes in federal regulatory requirements.

• Produce effective written communications and share knowledge on various FERC topics including presentations, procedures, policies and reference materials.

• Participate in the development of rate case filings, including necessary research, analysis, and drafting of filings, including testimony, cost support, rate design, and other supporting materials and pleadings.

• Engage in rate case proceedings, including interaction with regulators, preparation and management of data requests and responses, aid in the drafting of responsive testimony and other pleadings.

• Be prepared to testify to specific rate policies, processes, and methods at FERC and other regulatory bodies.

• Guide Tri-State staff in application of FERC requirements and ongoing maintenance of FERC approved rates whether formulary of fixed rates.

• Interact and work collaboratively with leadership, internal and external counsel, SMEs, consultants, and business unit staff throughout the organization to understand and address FERC regulatory issues.

• Manage rate projects, cases, and processes across the organization and outside resources.

• Identify regulatory or external customer/stakeholder issues, particularly with respect to FERC-jurisdictional rates and regulations, and proactively develop positions to meet company objectives.

• Represent Tri-State in FERC and other regulatory and business proceedings and meetings related to utility organizations, industry committees, and in other joint projects.

• Maintain compliance with all company policies and procedures and attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of regulations, laws, standards, and best practices applicable to functional area.

• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Perform other related duties as assigned

Qualifications:

Education and Training

• Bachelor's Degree in an Electrical Engineering, Business, Finance, Economics or related field or equivalent work experience. Specialized training in rates/regulatory functions and or regulatory accounting preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills including ability to effectively convey complex technical or legal concepts in understandable terms both in writing and verbally.

• Ability and willingness to complete projects and routine tasks with accuracy and attention to detail.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work with a team and develop, facilitate, and implement broad based initiatives.

• Ability to provide technical assistance to organization employees to increase their knowledge and efficiency particularly in information management, processing and reporting, utilizing the latest information processing tools and technology.

• Ability to provide information to Tri-State's business units and regulatory management that will assist in the development and implementation of revenue analysis strategies that will meet cost recovery objectives to ensure electric rates are competitive at the lowest cost to our member and within regulatory guidelines.

• Analyze other companies' rate filings and results to increase expertise and keep abreast of regulatory matters.

• Consolidate, document, develop and audit specific components necessary to prepare jurisdictional cost of service studies, revenue requirement determinations, and other related information and schedules.

• Develop and provide rate-related information and technical support necessary to support a wide variety of miscellaneous regulatory filings.

• Facilitate interveners and Commission staff data request responses and auditing functions on technical issues during general rate filings and other filed petitions and assist in support required during the hearing process.

• Provide technical support to other departments concerning revenue analysis information and issues.

• Requires strong verbal and written communication skills. Must be able to present complex information to a highly diverse group of receivers.

• Work directly with Information Services to assist in the development, enhancement and maintenance of the area's various information systems to meet the regulatory information needs of the Company and improve the information process.

• Knowledge of applicable FERC regulatory requirements affecting the electric utility industry.

• Knowledge of electric cooperative principals.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with subject matter experts, team members, and managers.

• Must be able to uphold the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality.

• Needs proficient knowledge of Microsoft Office Application and PC skills.

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required (must possess a valid driver's license).

About Us:

Tri-State is a wholesale power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, with 45 members, including 42 utility electric distribution cooperative and public power district members in four states: Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming. Together with its members, Tri-State delivers reliable, affordable and responsible power and energy services to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the West.

Tri-State was founded in 1952 by its member systems to provide a reliable, cost-based supply of electricity. Headquartered in Westminster, Colo., approximately 1,200 people are employed by Tri-State across five states.

Tri-State's electricity is generated from coal, natural gas and hydropower, with a rapidly increasing supply generated from wind and solar. Tri-State delivers power to its members through a transmission system that includes substation facilities, telecommunications sites and over 5,700 miles of high voltage transmission lines. Tri-State's transformative Responsible Energy Plan is reducing emissions, increasing renewable resources, developing new energy services and delivering more flexibility for its members.

Job Identification: 107

Job Category: Rates and Policy

Posting Date: 2024-03-18T15:50:32+00:00

Job Schedule: Full time

Hiring Salary Range: $124,000-$168,000

Locations: 1100 W 116th Ave, Westminster, CO, 80234, US

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status.