Puc Deputy Chief Counsel

The Law Bureau is an active and experienced legal team of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.  Attorneys in the Law Bureau operate in a fast-paced, challenging environment and deal with regulatory compliance, litigation, appeals and business transactional matters of jurisdictional public utilities.  As such, Law Bureau attorneys are exposed to a wide range of legal, technical and financial issues.  The Law Bureau seeks new, highly motivated members with strong interpersonal skills and legal acumen.  If interested apply today!

This supervisory role centers on leading complex appellate matters and providing high-level legal advice across the Public Utility Commission. As a Deputy Chief Counsel, you will perform the following duties:

• Legal Representation: Represent the Commission in complex appellate cases or supervise attorneys assigned to these matters
• Case Analysis: Research and evaluate legal positions, and prepare or review briefs, memoranda, and correspondence
• Oral Advocacy: Deliver oral arguments before the courts or prepare other attorneys for courtroom presentations
• Issue Oversight: Handle subpoenas, right-to-know requests, and litigation or rulemaking involving transportation, rail safety, and cybersecurity
• Agency Guidance: Advise Commissioners, Commission bureaus, and staff through written and verbal communication, including reports and recommendations
• External Representation: Engage with utility executives, governmental officials, regulatory bodies, and members of the public at various meetings

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: Part-time work from home (telework) may be a potential feature of this position. The successful candidate is required to report to the headquarters worksite daily, unless the employee meets eligibility requirements and telework has been approved. Management may discontinue any telework arrangement at any time, for any reason. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office.
  • To be eligible to participate in telework, the employee's alternate (telework) worksite must meet the following requirements: 
    • Within a reasonable travel distance of headquarters; and 
    • Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. 
  • Please direct all questions regarding reasonable distance and the type of available telework to the PUC Human Resource Office at ra-puchr@pa.gov or 717.787.8714. 
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of progressively responsible legal experience, with some if experience in highly responsible and complex professional legal work which provided exposure to governmental regulatory law (regarding public utilities)/administrative law and graduation from an approved school of law; or
• any equivalent combination of experience and training.

   

Special Requirement:

• Possession of a certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania; or eligibility for such certification.

Additional Requirement:

• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

 

How to Apply:

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position. 
• All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans: 

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS): 

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.