PUCT, Attorney (Attorney I - II), OPDM

Public Utility Commission of Texas; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) seeks an attorney to support Commissioners on contested cases and regulatory matters in Texas utilities. The role involves legal research, analysis of proposals for decision, and drafting written recommendations.

Ideal candidates will have a law degree, Texas bar admission, and at least two years of licensed-attorney experience; telework may be available after initial onboarding, with standard office hours and a strong emphasis on public service.

Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas; eligible to practice law in Texas.
• Attorney II requires a minimum of two (2) years legal work experience as a licensed attorney.
• Preferred qualifications include undergraduate degree in math, finance, accounting, or engineering; administrative law or litigation experience.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research, analyze proposals for decision and commission orders.
• Prepare written recommendations and advise commissioners on legal issues.
• Support rulemaking and regulatory proceedings within Texas utility regulation.

Skills

State Bar Texas

Law degree (JD/LLB)

Legal work experience

Education

JD or LLB degree

Job description

Agency Information

Public Utility Commission of Texas: Your Gateway to a Fulfilling Career!

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

• Job title
• Dates of employment
• Name of employer
• Supervisor's name and phone number
• Description of duties performed, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position

Important: Resumes do not replace the required information on the CAPPS State of Texas application. Applications stating, \"See attached\" or \"See resume\" will not be accepted. The employment history provided on your resume must be consistent with the employment history on your application. Material, omissions, discrepancies, or conflicting employment information between the resume and State of Texas Application will result in an incomplete application and will not receive further consideration for the position. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure all required information and supporting documentation are complete, accurate, and submitted at the time of application.

Applicants must meet all required minimum qualifications to be considered for this position. The application must clearly demonstrate how the applicant meets the required minimum qualifications. Failure to provide sufficient information to verify minimum qualifications may result in the application not being further considered.

Required Documents

• Letter of Interest
• Resume
• Law School Transcripts (Official or Unofficial)

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Join a Team Dedicated to Public Service

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of Texans? We are committed to building a highly skilled workforce. Our team boasts a wide range of expertise, from legal and engineering professionals to dedicated administrative staff. What unites us is our dedication to serving the public and our commitment to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure

Make a Difference with Us

We recognize the importance of motivated and knowledgeable staff to accomplish our critical mission. If you're eager to contribute to ensuring compliance within the electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, we want to hear from you! A career at the PUC will not only expand your professional horizons but also make you part of a highly motivated, technically skilled, and supportive team environment.

Competitive Benefits Package

In addition to a positive and family-friendly work culture, the PUC offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.

For a Detailed Overview, Please Visit https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits.

DIVISION - OFFICE OF POLICY AND DOCKET MANAGEMENT (OPDM)

DEPARTMENT - COMMISSION ADVISING

About OPDM

The Office of Policy and Docket Management division (OPDM) supports the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Commissioners, including when they act collectively as the Commission. OPDM is composed of three sections that work cooperatively to support the Commission's decision-making and adjudicatory responsibilities.

The Commission Advising section is made up primarily of attorneys who advise the Commissioners and serve as their legal advisors in contested cases. Advisors work directly with the Commissioners on a regular basis, supporting legal research, analysis and decision-making on the complex and high-impact matters. This section works closely with one another and their reviewers to research, draft, and prepare written materials for, and on behalf of, the Commission.

The Docket Management section consists of administrative law judges (ALJs) who oversee and guide the processing of contested cases. ALJs are responsible for conducting hearings, managing procedural matters, and issuing proposals for decision and other orders across a wide range of proceedings. The professionals in Docket Management develop deep expertise in administrative law, Commission procedures and the adjudication of contested cases.

The Administrative and Project Services section (APS) includes legal assistants, legal secretaries and project management staff who provide essential administrative support to OPDM and the Commissioners. APS staff support the processing of contested cases, assist with the preparation and issuance of orders and proposals for decision, coordinate filings, and help ensure the agency's compliance with statutory and procedural requirements, including those under the Open Meetings Act. APS staff work collaboratively with Commission Advising and Docket Management to support the Commission's adjudicatory and administrative functions.

Shape Regulatory Decision That Impact Texas!

Are you a motivated attorney looking to build your career in administrative law while working on complex legal issues that have a meaningful impact on Texans? Do you enjoy legal research, analyzing complex legal issues, and contributing to informed decision-making? The Public Utilities Commission of Texas (PUCT) has an opportunity for an attorney to join the Office of Policy and Docket Management, where you'll support Commissioners on contested cases and other regulatory matters involving Texas utility regulation.

Attorney

Commission Advising in OPDM is seeking an attorney to perform professional legal work involving administrative law, contested case proceedings, and utility regulation. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, analyzing proposals for decision and Commission orders, preparing written recommendations, advising Commissioners on legal issues, and supporting rulemaking and other regulatory proceedings. This position offers the opportunity to develop administrative law expertise while collaborating with experienced attorneys on complex matters that shape utility regulation across Texas. The ideal candidate is analytical, exercises sound judgment, communicates effectively, and thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced environment.

SALARY RANGE

Salary commensurate with qualifications. In addition to their offered salary, newly hired attorneys will receive a 6% legislatively authorized salary increase upon hire.

Monthly Salary

Attorney I

Attorney II*

Starting Salary$80,004.00$88,200.00

Max Salary$89,250.00$90,744.00

• Attorney II is intended for candidates with two years of qualifying licensed attorney experience. The maximum hiring salary shown reflects the budgeted salary for the this position and is not the maximum salary for the Attorney II classification.

The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications. Applicants must meet all the required minimum qualifications to be considered for this position.

Attorney I

Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas.

Attorney II

Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas; eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of two (2) year legal work experience as a licensed attorney.

Preferred Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in math, finance, accounting, or engineering, or in English.
• Administrative law or litigation experience.
• Experience conducting legal research, analyzing complex legal issues, and preparing written legal analyses, memoranda, or recommendations.

WORK SCHEDULE

The PUCT operates on a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Employees may request an alternative work schedule in accordance with the PUCT's Alternative Work Schedule Policy. Approval of such requests is based on business needs and management discretion and is not guaranteed.

Newly hired employees are required to complete a waiting period before becoming eligible to telecommute. After 30 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to one day per week. After 90 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to two days per week. Supervisors may require new hires to report to the office more frequently if necessary to support training, performance, or business needs.

VETERAN'S PREFERENCE

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or additional duties that fall in the fields listed in the below link who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

The MOS codes applicable to this position can be accessed at:

Military Crosswalk for Attorney

If you qualify for a Veteran Employment Preference, it is mandatory that you provide the required documentation with your State of Texas Application. Documentation must be provided before a Veteran Preference can be granted. Required documentation is as follows: Veteran - DD Form 214; Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who has not remarried - Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300; Orphan of a Veteran who was killed during active duty - Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300.

A detailed job description can be viewed on our website:

https://puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Jobs

Starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience within the advertised salary range. The salary of an ERS retiree or non-contributing member may be 6% less than the recommended salary.

REMARKS

• Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The timing of application review and interviews may vary based on the needs of the agency and the recruitment process.
• All information provided in connection with an employment application must be accurate and complete. Any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may result in refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
• If the position requires it, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified through the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas for the selected candidate.
• A satisfactory driving record is necessary for driving a state or personal vehicle for agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving records evaluated according to the Commission's Traffic Safety policy.
• For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Males born after January 1, 1960, who are not registered must provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) participates in the EVerify+ system to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of the EVerify+ employment eligibility process.
• The PUCT does not have the ability to sponsor employees for work authorization and does not have a formal training program to participate in the STEM OPT extension program sponsored through U.S. Universities.
• Your application for a position with access to sensitive systems, confidential records, or information related to critical infrastructure facilities may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to Texas Government Code 411.14031 and Texas Utilities Code 12.107 after a conditional offer of employment is made. Your consent for this criminal background check will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.
• The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUCT employees¿ investments, professional activities, and relationships with public utilities, with some limited exceptions. PUCT employees are also prohibited from having a financial interest in a public utility, an affiliate of a public utility, and a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.
• The PUCT has a Post-Employment Restriction - details furnished upon request.
• The PUCT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

Internal Applicant Eligibilty Requirements

• Newly hired employees must successfully complete their six-month probationary period and have a satisfactory performance review on file before becoming eligible to apply for other positions within the PUCT.
• Employees who transfer to a new position or division must remain in their new role for at least six months and have a satisfactory performance review before applying for another position within the PUCT.
• Employees are not eligible to apply for positions within their classification series in their current division. This restriction does not apply for supervisory positions within the same classification series. Advancement within a classification series in the same division occurs through the promotional process based on demonstrated performance at the high level.