Staff Attorney

Hallowell , Maine , United States | Legal | Full-time | Partially remote

Apply by: Aug. 26, 2024

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Staff Attorney

Code: YC02 Confidential

Opening date: July 15, 2024

Closing date: August 26, 2024

Salary: $90000 - $110000 / year

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) seeks an experienced attorney to perform legal work for the Commission. The Commission is focused on providing employees with a collegial environment. The work involves complaints by individual customers against a utility. The work also involves the practice of administrative law as it pertains to the regulation and oversight of public utilities. Preferred experience includes a focus on individual consumer issues that arise through investigations of consumer complaints about utility practices. Experience in administrative law, managing and presiding over adjudicatory proceedings and any one or more of the following areas: consumer protections; utility customer service; ratemaking; rulemaking; water and telecommunications regulation.

In this role you can expect to:

• Investigate and provide legal analysis of issues that arise in the investigation of individual customer complaints against a utility that involve the Commission’s Consumer Assistance and Safety Division (CASD);

• Become familiar with Utility filings, such as requests for dispute resolution, requests for rate increases, requests for approval of reorganizations or acquisitions, requests for advisory rulings;

• Work with Commission complaint specialists who investigate complaints by individual consumers against a utility;

• Draft rules and notices and adoption orders relating to Commission rules; preside over rulemaking proceedings.

• Research, interpret and apply applicable laws, Commission rules, regulatory principles and Commission precedent.

• Provide legal guidance and recommendations to the Consumer Assistance and Safety Division and to Commissioners, draft memoranda, examiners’ reports, procedural orders and other legal documents for internal and external publication.

• Work with Director of CASD and Staff Attorneys in establishing new protocols and procedures for the CASD based upon a changing legal landscape.

  (The above is a representative list and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.)

  A career at the Commission offers the opportunity to do challenging work that directly impacts all Mainers. This position offers a hybrid work schedule (remote and in-office at the Commission’s Hallowell, Maine office). In-house and professional training opportunities are available.

  Qualifications:

  Preferred qualifications for this position include any of the following:

• Knowledge of utility customer service

• Knowledge of complaint procedures and investigations

• General knowledge of utility regulation in Maine

• Ratemaking methods and procedures

  Minimum qualifications include:

• Candidates must have graduated from a recognized school of law and be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maine or be willing to take the next scheduled Bar Examination;

• The ability to pay close attention to detail and to organize and analyze information to make sound recommendations;

• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences;

• Initiative and self-direction;

• The ability to work effectively in teams and to maintain professional working relationships both internally and with representatives of utility companies, other stakeholders and the general public.

  Preference will be given to candidates with three or more years of relevant experience.

  Contact Information:

  For more information or questions, please contact Celeste Gaylord, Maine Public Utilities Commission, at celeste.gaylord@maine.gov or 207-287-1360.

  Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

  No matter where you work across Maine state government, you find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

• Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

• Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 -$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

• Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value).

• Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

  State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

  Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

  There's a job and then there's purposeful, transformative work. Our aim is to create a workplace where you can learn, grow, and continuously refine your skills. Applicants demonstrate job requirements in differing ways, and we appreciate that many skills and backgrounds can make people successful in this role.

  As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics.

  If you’re looking for a great next step, and want to feel good about what you do, we’d love to hear from you. Please note reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

  Thinking about applying?

  Research shows that people from historically excluded communities tend to apply to jobs only when they check every box in the posting. If you’re currently reading this and hesitating to apply for that reason, we encourage you to go for it! Let us know how your lived experience and passion set you apart.

  Information provided during the application, interview and selection process will be verified.