Assistant Consumer Advocate (Attorney)

PA Office of Consumer Advocate; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); Hybrid; USD 75,000 - 133,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dedicated attorney to join their team as an Assistant Consumer Advocate. This role involves performing legal work in the utility law sector, representing Pennsylvania utility consumers before various regulatory bodies. The ideal candidate will have a passion for consumer protection and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced legal environment. This position offers the opportunity to develop multi-disciplinary skills while working alongside a committed team of professionals. If you are ready to make a significant impact in the public interest field, this is the perfect opportunity for you.

Benefits

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Pension Plan

Telework Options

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania with strong communication skills.
• Experience or objective in consumer protection or administrative law.

Responsibilities

• Manage expert witnesses and prepare trial motions.
• Represent the OCA in hearings and assist consumers in complaints.
• Participate in rulemaking proceedings before the PUC.

Skills

Oral Communication

Written Communication

Legal Research

Consumer Protection Law

Administrative Law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

Position Overview

The Pennsylvania Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) seeks a full-time attorney to serve as an Assistant Consumer Advocate. The OCA is the statutory representative of Pennsylvania utility consumers before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts. As an Assistant Consumer Advocate, an attorney can expect to perform a variety of legal work in the utility law sector, such as trial practice before the PUC and appellate practice before the Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania, working with a dedicated team of attorneys to develop legal opinions and strategies that protect Pennsylvania utility consumers, and developing multi-disciplinary skills in accounting, engineering, and consumer protection work.

Salary and Benefits

Full-time employees receive all Commonwealth health (including dental and vision), pension, and other benefits for management personnel. Telework: Part-time telework is a potential feature of this position. The salaries for these positions will generally depend on the qualifications and experience level of the applicant and can fall within the following ranges:

1. Assistant Consumer Advocate II: $75,208 — $115,639 (Minimum 2 years’ experience)
2. Assistant Consumer Advocate III: $85,966 — $132,245 (Minimum 3 years’ experience)

Essential Functions

• Manage and direct expert witnesses, including coordinating the development of testimony and preparing them for cross-examination.
• Prepare and conduct cross-examination of expert witnesses.
• Prepare trial and appellate motions and briefs.
• Represent the OCA in hearings before the PUC in rate cases and other filings.
• Travel to and represent the OCA in education and outreach events throughout the Commonwealth.
• Assist consumers, both formally and informally, in complaint proceedings before the PUC.
• Participate in rulemaking proceedings before the PUC.

Qualifications

• Licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania resident or resident within 6 months of employment.
• Ability to work independently in a fast-paced and challenging legal environment.
• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Career objective or experience in consumer protection, administrative law and policy, or public interest field.

Job Details

• Seniority level: Entry level
• Employment type: Full-time
• Job function: Accounting/Auditing and Finance
• Industries: Government Administration