State utility commissions are increasingly being faced with novel recruitment and retention challenges, directly affecting the ability to employ a skilled workforce to address current and emerging policy issues while combating labor and talent shortages.
NARUC CPI recognizes the challenges and aims to connect state commissions with expertise and strategies to aid the deployment of a strong and viable future workforce. These efforts include supporting commissions with tools and resources plus quarterly peer-sharing webinars aimed at addressing PUC workforce recruitment and retention challenges.
NARUC staff who support these activities include Hyleah O’Quinn.
- "Day in the Life" Video Series Campaign, Vol. II: Behind the Scenes at State Commissions, 2026
The "Day in the Life" video series, Vol. II, builds on the original campaign by offering additional behind-the-scenes perspectives from state public utility commissions, highlighting staff experiences and the value of public service through examples from Ohio and Michigan. Find all videos on NARUC's YouTube.
- NCEP Collaboration Brief: Partnerships between State Government Agencies and Higher Education Institutions to Support Recruitment, July 2024
This collaboration brief highlights partnerships between state government agencies and higher education institutions to identify and attract diverse talent—particularly recent graduates and early career professionals— into public sector work.
- "Day in the Life" Video Series Campaign, Vol. I, November 2023
The "Day in the Life” video series, Vol. I, provides state commissions with multimedia visual aids for social media engagement and individual commission outreach efforts that explain the role of public utility commissions, the value of public service, and the benefits of working for a utility commission.
- Workforce Development Toolbox: Recruitment Templates and Social Media Engagement Materials, September 2022
The Workforce Development Toolbox provides state commissions with recruitment templates and social media engagement materials that explain the role of Public Utility Commissions, describe career opportunities, and highlight the benefits of public service. PUCs can tailor each template and materials to meet their workforce needs.
- A Guide for Public Utility Commissions: Recruiting and Retaining a Cybersecurity Workforce, February 2021
The paper serves as a reference guide for PUCs trying to develop or expand their cybersecurity proficiency. It describes the role of cybersecurity personnel within a PUC and a range of cybersecurity skill sets that may fits PUCs needs, as well as avenues for recruiting, retaining, and growing cybersecurity expertise. Appendices provide lists of cybersecurity training resources, recruitment pipelines, and a compendium of sample cybersecurity job descriptions for PUC consideration.
- Energy Innovator Fellowship
The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy and Renewable Energy is partnering with the Grid Deployment Office to fund recent graduates and energy professionals, for up to two years, to support critical energy organizations to advance clean energy solutions, including focusing on grid resilience and innovative grid services within states, territories, and Tribal institutions. Public Utility Commissions are eligible as host institutions, and highly encourage to apply.
Funder:
- NARUC is grateful to the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Cybersecurity, Energy Security and Emergency Response for funding that enables the resources and activities described on this webpage.
Peer Advisory Group Members:
- NARUC
- Maryland Public Service Commission
- Delaware Public Service Commission
- Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities
- Virginia State Corporate Commission
- Colorado Public Utilities Commission