Are you looking to find meaningful work and positively impact the lives of the residents of North Carolina?  If your answer is yes, then we want you to join our team at the North Carolina Utilities Commission and make a difference.    The NC Utilities Commission is looking for a Program Director I.  This position is assigned to the Operations Division within the Utilities Commission. This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.   * This Posting is for Internal to Commerce Employees Only* * Salary Grade: NC22* Recruitment Range: $73,096 - $125,177 This position is expected:1) to acquire and maintain expert-level understanding and mastery of laws, regulations and issues affecting the regulation of public utilities; 2) to lead and engage with Commissioners in discussion and decision-making related to the most complex issues and matters of significant public policy implications; 3) to work closely in administering the staff and workloads of the Operations Division to ensure adequate staffing and coverage of matters coming before the Commission; 4) to train, supervise and assist staff of the Operations Division in preparing work and performing responsibilities; and 5) to work closely with the Director of the Operations Division to ensure that the business needs of the Commission are met, in terms of adequate staff resources in the Operations Division, mastery of subject matter, and participation in discussion and engagement with Commissioners.  Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits.  Benefits to include:  * 12 Annual paid Holidays  * North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna  * Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental and Vision  * NC State Retirement (TSERS) * WeSave Employee Discounts Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below:https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits Note to Current State Employees The salary grade for this position is NC22.  State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon those factors, a pay increase MAY result. APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT AND ALL KSAs IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.     QUALIFIED APPLICANTS MUST SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THAT CLEARLY REFLECTS WORK EXPERIENCE THAT DEMONSTRATES THE FOLLOWING:  * Considerable specialized knowledge of appropriate program practices, policies and procedures related to the highly complex and unique field of public utilities regulation, such as the Chapter 62 general statutes and Commission Rules and Regulations.  * Demonstrated skill in leadership, planning, program management, and organizational skills. * Demonstrated skill in facilitating coordination and collaboration among staff. * Skill in program analysis and evaluation; ability to exercise sound judgment in analyzing situations and making decisions.  * Substantial knowledge of federal and state income tax rules and regulations, Operations Division budget management, internal Commission practices and procedures, and personnel management and related law.  * Ability to work with and communicate with members of the Utilities Commission, members and staff of the National Association of Regulatory Commissioners (NARUC); other specialized industry committees and organizations representing the interests of investor owned public utilities and stakeholders, and the general public.  * Ability to interpret federal and state legislation and establish state-level directives with respect to investor owned public utilities operating in North Carolina. * Ability to research, compile, evaluate, summarize, quantity, formulate, develop, and defend conclusions and recommendations regarding highly complex evolving issues related to investor owned utilities for use in the preparation of lengthy, written, multidimensional, complex, formal Commission orders. * Ability to develop a variety of written documents/oral presentations and/or reports conveying information and to communicate such information effectively to Commissioners, employees at all levels, and external contacts. * Ability to lead, supervise, and direct the work of a team. * Excellent oral and written communication skills. Bachelor's degree from an appropriately accredited institution and three (3) years of program experience in the area of assignment, including two years of managerial experience in the public or private sectors involving significant decision-making authority in the planning, organizing and directing of operations in the areas of the assigned program(s); or an equivalent combination of education and experience.  About the Utilities Commission The Commission is an administrative agency of the General Assembly created for the principal purpose of carrying out the administration and enforcement of the North Carolina Public Utilities Act. The Commission is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations and to fix utility rates pursuant to Chapter 62 of the General Statutes. In carrying out its purpose, the Commission is required by law to perform its duties and responsibilities in securing to the people of the State an efficient and economic system of public utilities in the same manner as commissions and administrative boards generally. For the purpose of conducting hearings, making decisions and issuing orders, and informal investigations where a record is made of testimony under oath, the Commission is deemed to exercise functions judicial in nature and has all the powers and jurisdiction of a court of general jurisdiction as to all subjects over which it has jurisdiction by law. The Commission has full power to administer oaths to hear and take evidence. The Commission renders its decisions upon questions of law and fact in the same manner as a court of record. The Commission has the same power to compel the attendance of witnesses, require the examination of persons and parties, compel the production of documents, and punish for contempt, as is conferred upon the superior courts. The Commission routinely hears cases involving matters of significant policy and/or substantial importance. When acting as a court of record, the Commission applies the rules of evidence applicable in civil actions in the superior court, insofar as practicable. Decisions of the Commission must be supported by competent, material, and substantial evidence upon consideration of the whole record. Final orders or decisions entered by the Utilities Commission in general rate cases may be appealed directly to the North Carolina Supreme Court. All Other Appeals must first proceed to the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The Utilities Commission also conducts proceedings pursuant to federal law and participates in proceedings before federal courts and regulatory agencies as authorized by G.S. 62-48. The Commission publishes weekly and monthly calendars of its proceedings on its website designed to provide public notice of all hearings and public meetings being conducted. The Commission presently regulates more than four thousand entities providing service in North Carolina. These entities include electric utilities; electric merchant plants; small power producers; local and long-distance telephone companies; natural gas companies; transporters of household goods; ferries; payphone service providers; water and sewer companies; and re-sellers of water, sewer, and electric service. These utilities have a combined jurisdictional revenue of approximately $14 billion dollars per year. Thousands of formal proceedings are instituted before the Commission in a given year, and the Commission typically has more than 700 open dockets at any given time. The Operations Division The primary purpose of the Commission's Operations Division is to provide the Commission with the expert counsel, assistance, and support it needs in the foregoing regards. The work of the Operations Division involves a wide variety of complex matters, including major general rate case proceedings. The Operations Division personnel play a key role, if not the key role, in facilitating the Commission's decisionmaking process, particularly on matters related to finance, accounting, and economics, and drafting the Commission's final orders ruling on such matters. In addition to general rate case proceedings, the Operations Division plays a central role in the Commission's handling of the hundreds of proceedings held before the agency each year, including cost recovery proceedings and utilities' operations proceedings.   About the Department of Commerce The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.     Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.     Our Agency uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the NEOGOV Online Job Application System (OSHR - Work for NC) for the State of North Carolina.   PLEASE NOTE It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates/licenses.  Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.       Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form.  Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit.  Attached or incorporated resumes (including Text resumes on application form) WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit. Please make sure you complete the application in full. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted and will be considered an incomplete application and will not be processed.  For additional information about applications and processes with the state of NC, please visit: How Do I Get the Job.     For consideration for this vacancy, all applicants must complete an on-line application using this link, https://www.governmentjobs.com/Applications/Index/northcarolina. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be evaluated for consideration.     Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript.  If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.  If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.     * INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGNATED EDUCATION AND WORK HISTORY SECTION ON THE FORMAL APPLICATION*                  If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visitwww.studentaid.gov to learn more.     * Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications. * Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22. * Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax. Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals Our Agency supports the Governor's Executive Order 303which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.   Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.     For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855.524.5627.