Deputy Public Advocate Application

Job Description – Deputy Public Advocate

The Delaware Division of the Public Advocate (DPA)

DPA was established in 1978 after public outcry over steadily and sharply increasing electricity rates. DPA is charged with representing consumer interests, primarily those of residential and small commercial consumers, whenever utility companies regulated by the Delaware Public Service Commission (PSC) seek changes in the delivery of services or rates for electric distribution, natural gas supply, water or wastewater services, or local exchange telephone services. DPA’s fundamental mission is to advocate for the lowest reasonable rates for consumers, consistent with the maintenance of adequate utility service and an equitable distribution of rates among consumer classes.

Recognizing DPA’s role in advocating for consumers, the General Assembly has named the Public Advocate, or his/her designee, to energy policy councils, committees, and task forces, including the Governor’s Energy Advisory Council, the Renewable Energy Taskforce, the Nuclear Feasibility Task Force, and the Sustainable Energy Utility Oversight Board, among others. DPA is also empowered to offer comment before State agencies engaged in rulemaking that could impact utility consumers or energy issues and takes an active role in shaping Delaware policy and law impacting utility consumers. 

DPA serves as a liaison between Delaware utility consumers and their utilities, fielding complaints, working to resolve issues informally, and advocating on behalf of consumers who are unable to resolve issues with their utilities.

In addition to its work in Delaware, DPA represents the interests of Delaware consumers on regional and federal energy policy. DPA is a voting member of PJM Interconnection and can appear before federal regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). DPA works with counterpart consumer advocates in other states on issues affecting utility consumers across the region and nationally, including advocacy, comment, and litigation, as warranted. 

---

Deputy Public Advocate

The Deputy Public Advocate serves as the principal advisor to the Public Advocate, co-leading DPA’s management and DPA’s strategic and policy priorities.  The Deputy will work hand-in-hand with the Public Advocate on Delaware public utility and Public Service Commission work, State energy and utility policy work, representing and advocating for consumers, and representing Delaware consumer interests on regional and federal energy policy. The Deputy is a key leader in the execution of DPA strategic priorities, oversight of utilities, the engagement of external and government partners, and improving Delaware law and policy. 

Essential Functions

The Deputy Public Advocate:

• Serves as a trusted advisor and strategic partner to the Public Advocate, supporting the execution of DPA’s priorities and initiatives.
• Assists the Public Advocate in selecting, supervising and managing DPA staff across offices and managing the operations of DPA.
• Advises and collaborates across key utility and energy policy areas, including developing and analyzing legislation, interpreting State and federal law and administrative code; monitors and analyzes utility and energy legislative, regulatory and policy developments; and may testify before legislative committees.
• Assists the Public Advocate in State policy councils, committees, and task forces and when needed serves as the designee of the Public Advocate.
• Has experience in public utility industry and regional transmission organization structure, operations, regulations and tariffs.
• Manages Public Service Commission dockets, including coordinating closely with legal counsel in the Delaware Department of Justice, coordinating closely expert witnesses retained by DPA on energy and utility matters, tracking and advancing cases, supervising analysts, developing testimony and other case materials, and may testify before the PSC.
• Assists the Public Advocate on regional (including PJM) and federal energy and utility matters.
• Assists the Public Advocate and legal counsel in managing State litigation, federal litigation, and appearances before State or federal agencies on energy and utility matters.
• Assists in developing and managing relationships with other governmental bodies, including the General Assembly and State agencies, as well as external stakeholders. Represents DPA at internal and external meetings and events.
• Supports public communications, customer service, public engagement and outreach of DPA through both oral and written communications and outreach and monitors constituent developments. 
• Other duties as assigned.

Job Requirements

Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:

1. Possession of a Bachelors degree or higher in accounting, business administration, business management, economics, finance, engineering, mathematics, public policy or a related field. Preference for possession of an advanced degree in a related field.
2. Two years experience in public utility regulation and rate determination which includes interpreting state and federal public utility laws (electric, telephone, gas, phone, cable, water) for activities such as rate base/rate of return regulations, tariff design and rates and services, or similar experience.
3. Two years experience in analyzing energy markets, or similar experience.
4. Two years experience in presenting and defending sworn expert testimony for public utility regulations, or similar experience.
5. Two years experience in state, regional, or federal utility policy.
6. Two years experience in analyzing and/or developing legislation and/or regulations.
7. Two years experience in staff supervision which includes planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others.
8. Two years experience managing complex projects.

Salary Range

Salary based on experience.  Salary range is $67,818 to $101,728.

Deputy Public Advocate Application

* denotes a required field