Cc Admv Law Judge

Arizona Department of Administration • Phoenix, AZ

3d • $95,000 - $105,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Hearing Division presides over administrative hearings, procedural conferences, and rulemaking oral proceedings concerning complex utility and securities matters, and writes Recommended Opinions and Orders for the Commissioners' consideration at Open Meetings. The Hearing Division also includes Docket Control, responsible for the Commission’s filings and record-keeping.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor degree, in addition to litigation or administrative hearing experience, and an Arizona license to practice law in good standing (attorney licensed and in good standing in other state may be considered if qualified and willing to become licensed in Arizona)
• A background in engineering, economics, finance, accounting, or administrative law
• Extensive knowledge of the complex state and federal regulatory concepts related to regulation of different kinds of utilities (electric, gas, telephone, water, and sewer) and/or of securities in Arizona
• A full understanding of constitutional due process as related to administrative hearings
• Knowledge of and experience interpreting evidentiary and procedural rules
• Exceptional interpersonal communication skills to conduct hearings, public comment meetings, and other proceedings
• Excellent legal reasoning, research, and writing skills and great attention to detail
• An ability to reduce complex legal and technical arguments and issues into language easily understood by a layperson, and to write concise, organized, and legally sufficient Recommended Opinions and Orders that will withstand appeal
• Skills to perform online legal research using Westlaw
• Skills to work competently with Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Teams
• Skills to work competently with or a willingness and ability to learn to work competently with Microsoft Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and WebEx
• A work ethic that demonstrates self-motivation, reliability, dedication, productivity, cooperation, integrity, responsibility, discipline, teamwork, accountability, adaptability, and professionalism
• A temperament and demeanor that demonstrates and results in unbiased and ethical decision making, with sufficient confidence in your own abilities and the patience necessary to maintain composure and control over the hearing during contentious proceedings

Nice To Haves

• Utility or securities regulatory experience is highly desirable
• Prior experience presiding over formal administrative hearings and writing decisions

Responsibilities

• Conduct formal, on-the-record, administrative hearings and draft Recommended Opinions and Orders based upon an independent review of the evidence and law.
• Be responsible for all procedural aspects of your assigned cases, including scheduling hearings and other proceedings, and compliance with the Commission’s “timeclock” rules and other deadlines.
• Interpret and implement the Arizona Corporation Commission’s authority set forth in Article 15, Section 3 of the Arizona Constitution, statutory authority, and rules.
• May be involved in writing and promulgating administrative rules for the Commission in compliance with the applicable requirements of the Arizona Administrative Procedure Act and the Commission’s rulemaking policies.
• Present and defend recommendations in Open Meeting.
• Prepare Procedural Orders for your cases, involving both substantive and non-substantive issues.

Benefits

• Excellent comprehensive benefits, including a top-ranked retirement plan, low-cost health coverage, supplemental policies such as vision and short-term disability, and generous paid vacation and sick leave programs.
• Career and personal development support; multiple training and education opportunities and resources; qualifying Public Service Loan Forgiveness employer.
• Interesting, challenging work in a public sector environment with the chance to make a real difference in our state.
• The State of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
• Participation in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS).

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior