Assistant Counsel, NS-25 (Policy)

New York State Department of Public Service; City of Albany (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The New York State Department of Public Service in Albany seeks an Assistant Counsel (NS-25) to handle market and policy matters under the Public Service Law, DPS regulations, and PSC orders. Under supervision, you will research regulatory law and advise the Commission with technical support from engineers, economists, and staff.

You will prepare memoranda, draft orders, review recommendations, and represent the Commission in administrative proceedings related to electric, gas, and telecom

Qualifications

• Admission to the New York State Bar and two years of practice after admission.
• Preferred: utility regulation/policy, litigation, consumer protection, administrative law, investigations and enforcement.

Responsibilities

• Maintain proficiency in laws, regulations, and orders related to electric generation, storage, and transmission.
• Research and interpret complex regulatory law, Commission decisions, and economic policies.
• Collaborate with engineers, economists, and staff to address technical policy issues.
• Analyze legal issues related to Commission actions and rate/tariff matters.
• Advise the Commission on behalf of the General Counsel and draft legal memoranda.
• Review recommendations for legality and draft Commission orders in consumer-protection matters.
• Appear for the Commission in proceedings relating to interstate electric, gas, and telecommunications services.

Skills

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Admission to NYS Bar

Job description

Description

Duties Description

The Assistant Counsel, NS-25, will work in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) on market and policy matters arising under or relating to the Public Service Law, DPS regulations, and Public Service Commission (Commission) orders. Under the direction of a supervising attorney, duties would include but are not limited to:

• Maintaining proficiency in applicable laws, regulations, and orders related to large scale electric generation, associated electric storage, and electric transmission facilities.
• Researching and interpreting complex areas of regulatory law, Commission decisions, and business, as well as economic policies.
• Working with engineers, economists, and other expert agency staff to master technical, policy, and regulatory issues.
• Analyzing legal issues related to potential Commission actions.
• Analyzing applications and petitions for Commission action on utility requests for rate increases, tariff changes, and other matters.
• Providing advice to the Commission on behalf of the General Counsel.
• Preparing memoranda on legal issues related to actions of the Commission.
• Assisting and reviewing recommendations to the Commission from other offices to ensure their legality.
• Appearing for the Commission in federal or state administrative proceedings relating to interstate electric, natural gas, and telephone service.
• Ensuring that all Commission processes are carried out lawfully in conformance with the procedural requirements of the Public Service Law, the State Administrative Procedure Act, the State Environmental Quality Review Act, and the Public Officers Law.
• Advising other divisions, as needed, on legal aspects of pending cases.
• Drafting orders and other documents to effectuate Commission decisions.
• Drafting Commission orders in consumer-protection matters.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Admission to the New York State Bar and two years of experience in the practice of law subsequent to Bar admission.

Preferred candidate qualifications include experience in utility services regulation or policy, litigation, consumer protection, administrative law, or investigations and enforcement; strong oral and written communication skills; exceptional organizational and analytical skills; experience in project management; and proficiency in working with teams and committees.

About The Department

Additional Comments

The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS or Department) works to: ensure safe, affordable, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, water, and telecommunications services at just and reasonable rates for New York State customers, protect the natural environment, reduce greenhouse gas emissions via transmission and siting of renewable energy resources, and augment the resiliency of utility infrastructure. Learn more about DPS and how you can make a difference by checking out our video and more at: https://dps.ny.gov/employment-opportunities.

Remarks

Salary will be commensurate with experience. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class. As such, the incumbent of this position would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority. Appointment to this position is contingent upon Division of Budget approval.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The Department of Public Service is committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity, or Veteran status. We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know by contacting the Designee for Reasonable Accommodations (DRA) and Americans with Disabilities Act Coordinator which can be found under the Accessibility Link on the Department’s webpage at https://dps.ny.gov.