Regulatory Policy Advisor (Policy Advisor IV): DORA/Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate
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Salary
$5,962.00 - $7,750.00 Monthly
Location
Denver Metro, CO
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
SHA-1517-06/26
Department
Department of Regulatory Agencies
Division
Office of Consumer Counsel
Opening Date
06/08/2026
Closing Date
6/18/2026 11:59 PM Mountain
FLSA
Determined by Position
Type of Announcement
This position is open only to Colorado state residents.
Primary Physical Work Address
1560 Broadway Denver, CO 80202
Department Contact Information
Addison Dittrich: addison.dittrich@state.co.us
Salary Note
Although the full salary range for this position is provided, appointments are typically made at or near the range minimum.
Hiring Pay Rate
The salary range posted for this position is $71,544 - $93,000 annually ($5,962.00 - $7,750.00 monthly); although a salary range is listed, hiring salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. New employees to the State will be paid biweekly. There are 26 biweekly pay periods in a year.
How To Apply
Please submit an online application for this position at https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/colorado. Reach out to the Department Contact to apply using a paper application, including any supplemental questions. Failure to submit a complete and timely application may result in the rejection of your application. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that application materials are received by the appropriate Human Resources office before the closing date and time listed.
Description
Benefits
Questions
Department Information
Hybrid Workplace Arrangement:
Although this position will be designated under the department's hybrid workplace program, it will still be required to report to the department office on a scheduled basis and at the discretion of the supervisor, based on business need.
The salary range posted for this position is $5,962 - $7,750 /monthly; although a salary range is listed, hiring salary will be set commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications and in compliance with the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act.
This announcement may be used to fill multiple vacancies.
The Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) is dedicated to preserving the integrity of the marketplace and is committed to promoting a fair and competitive business environment in Colorado.
Consumer protection is our mission.
DORA values and promotes diversity, supporting a workplace that is inclusive of people from different backgrounds and experiences; creating an environment that is reflective of our communities; promoting positive relationships; and putting forth unique perspectives to fulfill our mission.
Employer-sponsored RTD EcoPass, with offices located at Civic Center Plaza, above the RTD Civic Center station and just a few blocks from RTD light rail.
Extensive work-life programs such as flexible schedules, training and professional development opportunities on a wide variety of subjects, and more!
Employee wellness programs, including the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP), which provides free, confidential counseling services.
Bike-to-work programs, including access to storage lockers and bike racks.
Flexible retirement benefits, including a choice of the PERA Defined Benefit Plan or the PERA Defined Contribution Plan, plus optional 401K and 457 plans.
Medical and Dental Health Insurance for employees and optional coverage for their dependents.
Life Insurance for employees, and optional coverage for their dependents.
Paid Time Off, including 11 paid holidays.
Short- and long-term disability coverage.
Tuition assistance program.
Check out our excellentbenefits (https://dhr.colorado.gov/state-employees/state-of-colorado-employee-benefits) package!
Description of Job
The Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate ("UCA") represents the public interest before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission ("PUC" or "Commission"), federal agencies and the Courts. The UCA is directed to represent the public interest, and the interest of residential, small business and agricultural consumers to the extent consistent with the public interest, regarding matters including utility rates and charges, and give due consideration to statutory goals regarding decarbonization, just transition and environmental justice. The UCA advocates on behalf of consumers through analysis, research issue advocacy, written and oral testimony at administrative hearings, stakeholder engagement, community engagement and consumer outreach.
Position: SHA 1517 This position exists to support the UCA's policy efforts in several forums. This work is done in support of positions of the UCA regarding policy matters relating to regulated utilities and to assist in developing Division public interest and consumer interest advocacy. The position will appear before decision making bodies to support this effort. The position will conduct independent research and provides policy analysis, advocacy and testimony, both written and oral, at administrative hearings in proceedings before the PUC and/or Administrative Law Judges ("ALJs"), legislators, and local elected officials. The position coordinates policy development for financial/resource planning matters of regulated utilities with other UCA staff and stakeholders, such as PUC staff, policy professionals, public regulatory officials, academics, engineers, economists and other administrative and managerial personnel. The position consults and confers with UCA legal staff from the Office of the Attorney General regarding utility regulation to apply consistent policy advocacy in line with UCA's statute.
Duties include, but are not limited to:
Coordinate the policy interests of UCA before the Public Utilities Commission, State General Assembly, County Commission, City Council, and other decision-making bodies in which actions of regulated utilities impact residential, small-business, and agricultural customers;
Coordinating with DORA legislative liaison on legislative developments and trends in support of the mission and vision of the UCA, as well as coordinating with UCA leadership and DORA staff to support and/or offer expert testimony before the Colorado General Assembly;
Researching and developing early-stage legislative proposals to support the mission and vision of the UCA;
Monitoring and engaging State Bills as necessary to support UCA/ DORA legislative activities; Monitoring energy and telecom-related legislative hearings as directed by, and in coordination with, DORA legislative staff;
Reviewing and analyzing proposed legislation and completing of Legislative Review Forms ("LRFs") documents as required;
Planning, developing and conducting original research and analysis of consumer-related policy issues raised by policies regarding renewable energy, solar power, wind power, gas pipeline safety and integrity, certificates of public convenience and necessity, demand-side management, distributed generation, electric and gas commodity adjustments, and utility rate case issues;
Providing initial evaluations of utility filings and Commission rulings, which frequently involves conducting research and analyses that culminate into recommendations for further action by the Division, often in conjunction with other analysts;
Helping develop and implement Division positions stemming from analyses of utility policy proposals, utility filings and additional data provided by utilities; these analyses lead to recommendations for the most appropriate and effective course of action by the Division to pursue in major rate cases, other applicable utility filings or PUC rulemaking proceedings;
Testifying as an expert witness before the PUC and other regulatory agencies, including the FCC and FERC in proceedings involving consumer-related utility policy issues;
This entails reviewing a utility's testimony and exhibits, formulating discovery questions and responses, preparing testimony and exhibits, drafting and submitting filing testimony and written comments on policy issues, conducting data and information-oriented discovery, and advocating Division policy positions about policy matters in regulatory proceedings and negotiations with utilities and other stakeholders;
Analyzing, evaluating, and formulating recommendations for Division policy on PUC proposed rules, applications and advice letters, as well as complaints, specifically the policy matters presented by those filings and cases;
Monitoring compliance with rules, laws and previously established regulatory policies and principles applied and effectuated through utility proposals in advice letters, applications and miscellaneous filings from the utility as well as in other PUC proceedings;
Managing the affairs of the Utility Consumers' Board (UCB or Board), which entails planning, organizing, and implementing the activities of the board - such as organizing board meetings, arranging mandatory board trainings, coordinating with UCA analysts to present pending case strategies, arranging guest speakers, and supporting Board members to ensure members are able to meet their statutory duties;
Working with DORA and the Governor's Office of Boards and Commissions to recruit and maintain board members, as well as to ensure appointments of board members meet the requirements of statute and to maintain a quorum for operation.
Minimum Qualifications, Substitutions, Conditions of Employment & Appeal Rights
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MQs):
There are two ways to qualify for this position: 1) Experience OR 2) A Combination of Education and Experience
Option 1: Experience
Seven (7) years of relevant full-time professional* experience as part of a government body, or in a financial or legal environment conducting the following:
Developing, leading and implementing a policy agenda, including identifying, evaluating and proposing utility industry-related policies, legislation, rules and regulations;
Conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement related to policy and legislation, including building and sustaining relationships with county and local government officials, legislators, state agencies, industry representatives, and state and national interest groups and advocacy organizations;
Project Management: managing and effectively prioritizing multiple projects, including determining the scope of the project(s); documenting processes and operations; conducting in-depth research and assessing risks for the completion of initiatives; managing resources; monitoring and driving progress; reporting outcomes; and ensuring project milestones and deadlines are met.
Option 2: A Combination of Education AND Experience
Associate's Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with an associate's degree in accounting, business, public administration, public policy, economics, finance, engineering, environmental studies, or in a field of study closely related to the work assignment; AND
Five (5) years of relevant full-time professional* experience as part of a government body, or in a financial or legal environment conducting the following:
Developing, leading and implementing a policy agenda, including identifying, evaluating and proposing utility industry-related policies, legislation, rules and regulations;
Conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement related to policy and legislation, including building and sustaining relationships with legislators, state agencies, industry representatives, and state and national interest groups and advocacy organizations;
Project Management: managing and effectively prioritizing multiple projects, including determining the scope of the project(s); documenting processes and operations; conducting in-depth research and assessing risks for the completion of initiatives; managing resources; monitoring and driving progress; reporting outcomes; and ensuring project milestones and deadlines are met.
OR
Bachelor's Degree and Experience: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor's degree in accounting, business, public administration, public policy, economics, finance, engineering, environmental studies, or in a field of study closely related to the work assignment; AND
Three (3) years relevant full-time professional* experience as part of a government body, or in a financial or legal environment conducting the following:
Developing, leading and implementing a policy agenda, including identifying, evaluating and proposing utility industry-related policies, legislation, rules and regulations;
Conducting stakeholder outreach and engagement related to policy and legislation, including building and sustaining relationships with legislators, state agencies, industry representatives, and state and national interest groups and advocacy organizations;
Project Management: managing and effectively prioritizing multiple projects, including determining the scope of the project(s); documenting processes and operations; conducting in-depth research and assessing risks for the completion of initiatives; managing resources; monitoring and driving progress; reporting outcomes; and ensuring project milestones and deadlines are met.
*Professional work involves exercising discretion, analytical skill, judgment and personal accountability and responsibility for creating, developing, integrating, applying, and sharing an organized body of knowledge that characteristically is: uniquely acquired through an intense education or training regimen at a recognized college or university; equivalent to the curriculum requirements for a bachelor's or higher degree with major study in or pertinent to the specialized field; and continuously studied to explore, extend, and use additional discoveries, interpretations, and application and to improve data, materials, equipment, applications and methods.
Document this experience in your applicationIN DETAIL, as your experience will not be inferred or assumed. Part time experience will be prorated.
SUBSTITUTIONS:
Partial credit toward the degree requirement will be given for completed college/university coursework that did not result in a degree.A master's or doctorate degree from an accredited college or university in a field of study related to the work assignment will substitute for the bachelor's degree.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience evaluating the technical viability of concepts that affect Colorado utilities or regulatory practices;
Experience working with environmental, public health, and/or environmental justice policy;
Experience understanding, interpreting, analyzing, and providing recommendations on legislative and policy proposals;
Previous community outreach and/or event coordination experience;
Project management experience, including organizational skills, prioritization and working with other team members;
Familiarity and/or experience with litigated proceedings, including synthesizing testimony, presentation of cases and advocating a position in order to form a path forward;
Familiarity and/or experience with the design and implementation of customer energy programs, such as renewable energy or energy efficiency programs;
Experience gathering, synthesizing and summarizing existing financial, policy and technical studies, including technological, economic and policy changes concerning the generation, transmission, distribution and consumption of energy (electricity, water and/or natural gas);
Experience administering state boards, commissions, or public bodies, including coordinating public meetings, managing open records, and onboarding newly appointed board members in compliance with statutory requirements.
Required Competencies:The following knowledge, skills, abilities, and personal characteristics are required competencies and may be considered during the selection process (including examination and/or interview):
Demonstrated written communication skills, including the ability to convey information to various stakeholders in a clear, accurate, and concise written manner;
Demonstrated verbal communication skills, including the ability to effectively convey information to audiences in a concise manner;
Demonstrated attention to detail;
Demonstrated critical thinking and analytical skills, including having the ability to evaluate information in order to apply knowledge and to decide on the most appropriate course of action;
Demonstrated prioritization skills, including planning, organizing tasks, and managing work assignments;
Demonstrated time management skills, including the ability to multi-task to effectively manage competing and constantly changing priorities in order to meet tight deadlines;
Demonstrated ability to understand and abide by workplace principles, practices and behaviors as internally identified and defined by the division and department;
Demonstrated ability to read, understand, interpret, apply, and explain laws, rules, policies, and procedures;
Sound judgment and the confidence to make decisions on a routine basis;
Ability to travel independently, including work in office, as required by business needs and scheduled by the supervisor;
Integrity and high ethical standards;
Accountability, reliability, including attendance;
Ability to maintain confidential, controversial, or sensitive information;
Self-starter, including the ability to work independently, learn new processes, utilize own knowledge and that of supervisor, and complete work with minimal supervision;
Demonstrated professional demeanor;
Knowledge and understanding in the use of PC software applications, including Microsoft Office (Access, Word, Excel, etc.), and Google Suite (Doc's, Sheets, Slides, etc).
Conditions of Employment:Candidates who fail to meet the conditions of employment will be removed from consideration.
The successful passing of a reference check and/or, if required, a background check.
A reference check may include but is not limited to: contacting previous and current supervisors to verify employment and discuss performance, a review of the personnel file, a review of the performance record, a review of job-related public information, etc.
The @type of background check depends on the job duties of the position, and can include a review of any criminal record, credit report, and/or driving record.
Ability to travel (up to 10% of the time) independently, including work in office, as required by business need and scheduled by the supervisor.
Supplemental Information
PLEASE READ - Required Application Materials
Interested individuals must submit the following online:1. A completed State of Colorado Application(log-in to your current NeoGov account or create a NeoGov account to complete the online application). Note: Incomplete applications, including incomplete work history sections or "see résumé," "see attachment," or "see addendum" statements, will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application form.2. A current email addresson your application, as all communication pertaining to this position will be conducted via email. Please set up your email to accept messages from info@governmentjobs.com and '@state.co.us' addresses, and check your email often. Note: The department cannot guarantee the successful delivery of email, including incorrect filtering into junk mail folders.3. A detailed cover letter, explaining how you meet the required competencies and how your accomplishments, qualifications, skills, areas of expertise, personal characteristics, etc. make you a good fit for this position; you may also attach additional documents that demonstrate this.Comparative Analysis Process: Structured Application ReviewPart of, if not the entire, comparative analysis process for this position will involve a review of the information you submit in your application materials; Therefore, it is paramount that in the experience portion of your application and cover letter, you describe the extent to which you possess the education, experience, and competencies outlined in the job announcement as well as the required and/or preferred qualifications/competencies. You are also encouraged to attach additional documents to that effect. Failure to include adequate information or follow instructions may affect your score and prevent you from competing in subsequent measures used to arrive at a top group of applicants.Veterans' Preference: Candidates who wish to assert Veterans' Preference should attach a copy of their DD-214 to their application. Failure to do so will result in being denied Veterans Preference.PLEASE NOTE:Former State Personnel System employees who were disciplinarily terminated or resigned in lieu of termination must disclose this information on the application. Colorado Revised Statutes require that all state employees be hired and promoted through competitive examination of merit and fitness. Failure to include the required information, failure to follow instructions, and/or failure to submit materials by the application deadline may result in your application not being considered for the position and may affect your score or inclusion in the final pool of qualified candidates. The State of Colorado strives to create a Colorado for All by building and maintaining workplaces that value and respect all Coloradans through a commitment to equal opportunity and hiring based on merit and fitness. The State is resolute in non-discriminatory practices in everything we do, including hiring, employment, and advancement opportunities. DORA is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonableaccommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in theemployee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator, at dora_adacoordinator@state.co.us . APPEAL RIGHTS: If you receive notice that you have been eliminated from consideration for this position, you may file an appeal with the State Personnel Board or request a review by the State Personnel Director. An appeal or review must be submitted on the official appeal form, signed by you or your representative. This form must be delivered to the State Personnel Board by email, US Mail, faxed or hand-delivered within ten (10) calendar days from your receipt of notice or acknowledgment of the department's action. For more information about the appeals process, the official appeal form, and how to deliver it to the State Personnel Board go to spb.colorado.gov or refer to 4 Colorado Code of Regulations (CCR) 801-1, State Personnel Board Rules and Personnel Director's Administrative Procedures , Chapter 8, Resolution of Appeals and Disputes , at spb.colorado.gov under Rules.
Employer
State of Colorado
Address
See the full announcement by clickingthe "Printer" icon located above the job titleLocation varies by announcement, Colorado, --
Website
https://careers.colorado.gov/
