Staff Attorney 2

POSITION DETAILS

The Staff Attorney 2 will have the opportunity to work on and participate in cases in both administrative and judicial settings. As an attorney in an independent state agency this includes the potential to litigate cases in state and/or federal appellate courts.

The Staff Attorney 2 will also be engaged in helping develop policy and regulatory approaches on crucial consumer issues relating to grid modernization, resiliency and utilities’ response to storm events, distribution system planning, electrification, clean energy, energy affordability, utility regulatory reform, including performance based ratemaking, and deployment of broadband infrastructure.

This position will focus on OCC's core mission of advocating for fair and equitable electric, water, and gas utility rates and reliable, quality utility service in state, regional and federal forums. The selected candidate may also work on water quality and regulatory issues, as well as on legal, regulatory and policy issues focused on the deployment of broadband infrastructure and equitable access to high-speed broadband. Responsibilities of this position include:

• Working and participating in cases in administrative and judicial settings, including the opportunity to serve as lead counsel on matters involving a variety of advanced and complex legal issues related to OCC's statutory responsibilities;
• Serving as a team member of a small, highly-skilled staff dedicated to the mission of consumer advocacy;
• Working independently and creatively to solve complex problems;
• Corresponding with subject-matter experts on contested and uncontested matters;
• Collaborating with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, and other state agencies on legal issues, policy development, or resource procurements;
• Providing legal guidance to the Consumer Counsel;
• Negotiating and drafting settlements related to multimillion dollar utility issues;
• Developing, reviewing, and providing opinion on legislative proposals;
• Interacting with Connecticut legislators and state officials on a broad array of issues related to the Office of Consumer Counsel and its mission;
• Working with members of OCC and representing OCC before the legislature and other state and federal agencies or entities on cutting edge policy initiatives;
• Other related duties as deemed necessary.

After completion of three (3) years of successful and satisfactory performance as a Staff Attorney 2 in the same agency, an incumbent will be moved to the Staff Attorney 3 classification (on the first pay period following the completion of three (3) year requirement).

This is a full-time, 40 hours per week position. Schedule is Monday-Friday on first shift.

ABOUT US

The OCC is an independent State agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interest in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. The OCC works on cutting edge energy policy issues as the voice of the consumer. We are a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and are authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved.

In addition to representing consumer interests before PURA, the OCC:

Participates in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC);

• Advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts; and
• Promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums.

The OCC is also a member of New England Power Pool (NEPOOL) as the representative of Connecticut ratepayers.

Our work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Energy infrastructure (e.g., electric transmission lines, non-wires alternatives);
• Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization;
• Energy efficiency and demand response;
• Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates;
• Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning;
• Utility service quality and storm response;
• Electric vehicles and energy storage;
• Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY

Considerable knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; considerable knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; considerable knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of the rules of evidence; knowledge of criminal and constitutional law and legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes; considerable ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS - GENERAL EXPERIENCE

STAFF ATTORNEY 2: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.

STAFF ATTORNEY 3: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law at the level of Staff Attorney 2 in the same state agency.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience with one or more of the following: energy, natural gas, water, telecommunications, utility, finance, economics, environmental, or other related technical field;
• Experience in appellate litigation;
• Experience in court or administrative agency matters concerning telecommunications, broadband, energy, natural gas, or water issues;
• Experience with administrative agency processes and the Uniform Administrative Procedure Act, including administrative hearings or administrative appeals;
• Experience in oral legal advocacy on complex issues;
• Strong legal research and writing skills;
• Experience interpreting and applying state and/or federal laws;
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team setting, including with technical experts.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS

1. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.

2. May be required to travel.