Consumer Advocate

State of Nebraska; Lincolnton (NC); On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Nebraska seeks a detail-oriented Consumer Advocate to support the Telecommunications Department. Responsibilities include handling telecom consumer concerns, tracking carrier filings, and preparing data-driven reports for the Commission.

The role involves maintaining records, uploading tariffs, and updating public notices on the department website. The ideal candidate has an associate degree (bachelor’s preferred), strong Microsoft Office skills, and the ability to work independently

Qualifications

• Associates degree or higher in relevant field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and comfort using databases and spreadsheets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and respond professionally to public inquiries.

Responsibilities

• Receive, record, and respond to consumer complaints related to telecommunications services.
• Document and report complaints to carriers and relay carrier responses to consumers.
• Prepare monthly summaries for Commission meetings and hearings.

Skills

Microsoft Office Suite

Written communication

Verbal communication

Record keeping

Education

Associates degree in Business/Multidisciplinary Studies/Communication/Public Policy/Consumer Affairs

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Databases

Spreadsheets

Job description

The work we do matters! Hiring Agency: Public Service Commission - Agency 14 Location: Lincoln, NE Hiring Rate: $26.442 Job Posting: JR2026-00029519 Consumer Advocate (Open) Applications No Longer Accepted On (If no date is displayed, job is posted as open until closed): 10-13-2026

Job Description: The Nebraska Public Service Commission seeks a detail-oriented and organized individual to perform administrative support work within the telecommunications department. The Consumer Advocate is responsible for responding to telecommunications-related consumer concerns, tracking regulated carrier filings, preparing reports, managing documentation and data, and supporting the Commission’s public outreach and legislative reporting efforts.

Schedule: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, Monday – Friday; flexibility available to promote work-life balance.

Hiring Rate: $55,000 per year, commensurate with experience.

• Receive, record, and respond to consumer complaints related to telephone, wireless, internet, and cable services.
• Document and report complaints to carriers and relay carrier responses to consumers.
• Prepare a monthly summary report of complaints for the Department Director to present at Commission meetings and/or hearings.
• Track and report telephone outages.
• Forward notifications to the Commissioners, Executive Director, Director of Telecommunications, and Director of State 911.
• Review and file new and revised telecommunications tariffs, maintain organized tariff binders and archive pulled pages in accordance with retention policy.
• Upload tariffs and interconnection agreements between providers to the Commission’s website.
• Review annual reports submitted by ILEC/CLEC carriers to ensure completeness and compliance.
• Extract and record access line counts by city from annual carrier reports.
• Maintain records of rate increase petitions and track associated ballot verification processes.
• Prepare and update tables and statistical summaries for the Commission’s Annual Report to the Legislature.
• Organize and maintain physical and digital telephone directories.
• Support and manage Telecommunications Department website content, including posting public notices and updates from other Commission departments.
• Provide occasional backup support to other administrative staff within the Communications Department.
• Serve as backup for consumer complaint intake for the Natural Gas Department when the Director or designated staff are unavailable.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements / Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Associates degree in Business, Multidisciplinary Studies, Communication, Public Policy, Consumer Affairs, or relevant technical field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and comfort using databases and spreadsheets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain accurate records and respond professionally to public inquiries.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Multidisciplinary Studies, Communication, Public Policy, Consumer Affairs, or relevant technical field.
• 1-3 years work experience in a related field (consumer protection, advocacy, regulatory affairs, legal support, public service, government, non‑profit consumer organizations, or regulatory bodies).
• Experience working in the telecommunications industry.
• Experience handling consumer complaints or disputes.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of: Telecommunications carriers, regulatory processes, customer service principles, administrative filing systems, and basic government operations.
• Skill in: Managing complaints with professionalism and confidentiality, compiling and presenting data, writing reports, and maintaining website content.
• Ability to: Analyze and interpret data, maintain organized documentation, work independently and collaboratively, communicate clearly with consumers and industry professionals, and use discretion when handling sensitive information.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation. Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! Benefit eligibility may vary by position, agency and employment status. For more information on benefits, please visit: https://statejobs.nebraska.gov/index.html#benefits

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex. age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics. We are seeking talented individuals to join our team in careers that make a difference in the lives of Nebraskans.

Contact [e-mail] for additional support.

Thank you for your interest in joining our team! State Government is one of the largest and most diverse employers in Nebraska. Whether it's helping a vulnerable child, advancing public health, making highways safer, or preserving our natural resources, the work we do matters!