Staff Attorney
State of MaineAbout the role
Location: Hallowell,Maine,United States
Staff Attorney
Code: YC02 Confidential
Opening date: January 31, 2025
Closing date: March 31, 2025
Salary: $90,000+ per year
The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as a Hearing Examiner/Presiding Officer in Commission proceedings. This legal work centers on the regulation and oversight of public utilities, including managing and presiding over both adjudicatory and non-adjudicatory proceedings in one or more of the following areas: utility ratemaking, with a particular emphasis on electric and natural gas utilities; rulemaking; and competitive procurements of renewable energy, including negotiation and enforcement of agreements. The selected attorney may also represent the Commission before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court or other state and federal forums.
In this role you can expect to:
- As part of a team, preside over utility rate cases.
- Ensure that due process is followed in all proceedings.
- Conduct case and technical conferences and oversee hearings.
- Review and analyze evidence, pleadings, and briefs.
- 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.
(The above is a representative list and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.)
A career at the Commission offers the opportunity to perform challenging work that directly impacts all Mainers. The Commission offers a collaborative and supportive work environment. 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:
- Experience with ratemaking methods and procedures, ideally with an emphasis on electric and/or natural gas utilities.
- Administrative law experience.
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 with Commissioners, staff colleagues and consultants, as well as representatives of utility companies, 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 will 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
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