Senior Advisor, Electric

Venor is proud to partner with the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board on their search for a seasoned Senior Advisor, Electric (electrical engineer) to join their team in Halifax, NS.

The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) is an independent body that ensures customers receive safe and reliable service at reasonable prices by regulating and establishing rates for public utilities (ex: electric, water, and natural gas utilities), gasoline, diesel, auto insurance, and more. The NSUARB is recognized as a trusted, leading adjudicative and regulatory tribunal.

Upon proclamation of the Energy and Regulatory Boards Act, the NSUARB will be continued as the Energy and Regulatory Boards Tribunal and two new boards, the Nova Scotia Energy Board and the Nova Scotia Regulatory and Appeals Board, will be established. This position will transition to be responsible for and support one or both new boards.

Position Summary:

Reporting to the Managing Director, Advisory Services, this position functions in a leadership capacity in providing advice and recommendations to Board Members and Board Counsel on a wide range of electric utility matters. Advisory services may include research and analysis relating to rate case applications, capital project approvals, grid modernization, energy efficiency, system planning, reliability, independent system operator functions, wholesale and retail electricity market activities, utility performance analysis, and general monitoring of utility activities. You may be relied upon to explain issues of a complex technical or operational nature, identify potential risks, and to provide insight into emerging trends or innovation within the electric utility sector.

This position participates in formal public hearings by engaging expert witnesses on behalf of Board Counsel, identifying issues for cross examination, and assisting with decision writing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Analyzing filings for identification of regulatory issues, including compliance with regulations and Board directives.
• Providing comprehensive economic and technical evaluations of individual capital expenditure requests, as well as the utility’s annual capital expenditure (ACE) plan.
• Analyzing rate applications to create new electricity rates or amend existing rates and assess justification, prudency, and impact on ratepayers.
• Making recommendations to Board members regarding the necessity and reasonableness of proposed capital expenditures.
• Assisting with oversight of the Independent Energy System Operator (IESO) function, wholesale market rules, and related electricity market activities.
• Evaluating the justification, reasonableness, and prudency of proposed multi-year programs and expenditures for demand-side management efficiency and conservation measures.
• Reviewing complaints against utilities for compliance with regulations and statutes.
• Identifying, managing, and coordinating the engagement of skilled expert witnesses and consultants for hearings or other matters.
• Providing general information within your area of expertise to other staff, Board members, parties at proceedings, the public, and acting as a liaison with industry, government, or others.

Technical Qualifications:

• Electrical Engineering degree from a recognized University.
• Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) in good standing with Engineers Nova Scotia or the ability to register with Engineers Nova Scotia upon hire.
• A minimum of 10 years’ experience in various aspects of power generation, transmission, distribution, and customer service responsibilities, focused on operations, maintenance, and capital projects. Candidates with relevant supervisory experience will be given preference.
• Experience in aspects of smart grid modernization, renewable and distributed energy resources, demand-side management (DSM), and system control center operations.
• Extensive knowledge and experience in electric utility economics, operations, planning, engineering, and financial analysis.
• Advanced understanding of load forecasting, energy efficiency measures, integrated resource planning, reliability analysis, and the fuel adjustment mechanism (FAM).
• Knowledge and understanding of key elements of electricity regulation, the public hearing process, ratemaking principles, and Cost-of-Service analysis.
• Considerable awareness of trends, opportunities, risks, and transformational changes within the evolving electric utility sector and the ability to assess their potential impact on utilities and ratepayers.

Skills and Attributes:

• Highly developed analytical and problem resolution skills with the ability to convey complex concepts clearly and simply.
• Ability to provide collaborative consultation on key business and technical issues, including responding to and assisting in resolving customer complaints.
• Ability to meet strict deadlines, maintain strict confidentiality, exercise tact, discretion, and diplomacy, and exhibit a superior level of attention to detail.
• Effective oral and written communication skills and proficiency in decision writing.
• Effective research and analytical skills, including proficiency with relevant software applications commonly used by electrical utilities.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please reach out to Erika Hildebrand via erika@venor.ca.