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 and investigations, 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 and investigations.
- 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 and issue written rulings and provide legal guidance and recommended decisions to the Commissioners.
- Interact with attorneys, witnesses, and parties involved in proceedings.
- Facilitate settlement negotiations when appropriate.
- 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.
If out-of-state at time of application, candidate must be willing to relocate to Maine to commence employment.
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:
- A minimum of three years of practice of law as a licensed attorney.
- Candidates must have graduated from a recognized school of law and be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maine or, if practicing outside of Maine, be willing to take the next scheduled Bar Examination, and as a condition of employment, be admitted to the Maine Bar within one year of start date.
- 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 experience in utility regulation.
State of Maine is an equal opportunity employer.
