Public Utilities Hearings Officer & Staff Counsel

The State of New Hampshire; Concord (NH); On-site; USD 51,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of New Hampshire, Public Utilities Commission seeks a Hearing Officer/Staff Attorney to conduct hearings and provide legal counsel on complex dockets. The role requires strong judicial and analytical skills and active NH Bar membership.

This full-time position emphasizes rulemaking, coordination of the Clerk’s Office, and advising Commissioners on legal matters across state and federal statutes and FERC/ISO procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and 8.5 years of experience OR equivalent combination of 12.5 years of education and experience after completion of high school.
• Must include at least 5.5 years of experience in the practice of law.
• Active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and in good standing

Responsibilities

• Conducts prehearing examinations and hearings to define issues, qualify exhibits, rule on motions and admissibility of evidence.
• Performs advanced legal research and analysis of precedent law and background information, renders official opinions on state and federal statutes.
• Reviews, evaluates, and analyzes pleadings, testimony, discovery, evidence, briefs, files, records, policies, Commission administrative rules, statutes, and court decisions.
• Advises the Commissioners on interpretation of statutes, regulations, and procedures.
• Drafts orders and notices for Commissioner review and approval that ensure legal correctness and conformity to approved form.
• Assist in rulemaking and implementation of administrative rules; drafts proposed rule amendments.
• Manages Commission Clerk’s Office staff by defining case processing metrics and ensuring accuracy.
• Participates in administrative projects to improve Commission efficiency.
• Drafts legislation and responds to legislative inquiries.

Education

Bachelor's degree

5.5 years of experience in the practice of law

Job description

The State of New Hampshire, Public Utilities Commission seeks a Hearing Officer/Staff Attorney to conduct hearings and provide legal counsel on complex dockets. The role requires strong judicial and analytical skills and active NH Bar membership.

This full-time position emphasizes rulemaking, coordination of the Clerk’s Office, and advising Commissioners on legal matters across state and federal statutes and FERC/ISO procedures.