ATTORNEY

California Public Utilities Commission; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

California Public Utilities Commission is seeking attorneys in its Legal Division to handle litigation, appellate and advisory assignments related to utility regulation. The role involves serving as staff counsel in rate cases, investigations and enforcement, and presenting positions at public hearings.

Incumbents may advise on draft decisions, provide legal guidance to Commissioners and staff, and represent the State before courts and administrative agencies.

Responsibilities

• Act as staff counsel in general rate cases, investigations and enforcement before the Commission.
• Lead preparation of cases to be presented on behalf of the Commission's staff.
• Serve as counsel for staff advocating positions at public hearings in such proceedings.
• Review applications for rehearing of Commission decisions and assess legal error.
• Defend Commission decisions when appealed.
• Provide legal advice in the preparation of drafts of Commission decisions and orders.
• Advise Commissioners, Administrative Law Judges, and staff on legal problems related to regulatory statutes and orders.
• Represent the Commission and the State before Federal and State courts and administrative agencies.
• Assist on a variety of advisory tasks as directed by senior staff.

Job description

Job Description and Duties

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility. If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to this classification.

For this classification, applicants with disabilities may gain eligibility through the Limited Examination and Appointment Program (LEAP), an alternative to the standard testing process. Applicants may choose to apply through either the Standard or LEAP process.

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy. Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager - standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit.

Lawyers in the CPUC's Legal Division both litigate and advise on matters as varied as:

• Just and reasonable utility rates
• The safety, reliability, and resiliency of utility infrastructure, including cybersecurity
• Climate change, renewable energy, and achieving California's goal of 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2045
• Internet neutrality
• Phone service quality, 9-1-1 reliability, and universal communications service
• Safe drinking water and water conservation efforts
• Environmental justice, equity for Disadvantaged Communities, and non-discriminatory service
• Vehicle Electrification and Building Decarbonization
• Transportation Network Companies such as Uber and Lyft
• Autonomous Vehicle Companies such as Waymo and Zoox
• Rail and transit safety
• Environmental protection
• Civil enforcement
• Government law, such as the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act, Public Records Act, and the Political Reform Act
• Employment and public contracting law
• Many other consumer protection responsibilities

Under direction from an Assistant Chief Public Utilities Counsel or on some occasions, under case direction from senior counsel:

Attorneys are expected to handle a multitude of projects, involving either litigation, appellate or advisory assignments. Typical tasks may include: acting as staff counsel in general rate cases, investigations and enforcement, and other administrative proceedings before the Commission; directing the preparation of the case to be presented on behalf of the Commission's staff, and serving as counsel for the staff advocating positions at public hearings in such proceedings; reviewing applications for the rehearing of Commission decisions and assessing whether legal error has been demonstrated; defending Commission decisions when appealed. In addition, incumbent may handle a variety of advisory tasks including: providing legal advice in the preparation of drafts of Commission decisions and orders; advising Commissioners, Administrative Law Judges, and staff on legal problems in connection with regulatory statutes and orders, rules, and regulations of the Commission; representing the Commission and the State before Federal and State courts and administrative agencies.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.