Attorney

State of Montana•Helena, MT

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Montana Public Service Commission (Commission) seeks an attorney to aid our agency in exercising regulatory oversight of some of the largest essential industries in Montana. The Commission works to ensure fair prices, responsible business practices, and reliable services for Montana customers. The successful candidate will join our team of attorneys who find the work to be interesting, meaningful, and critical to our agency’s goal of serving the citizens of Montana extraordinarily well. The Commission is the head of the Montana Department of Public Service Regulation, a small state agency with a big impact. The Commission is composed of 5 selected Commissioners representing every region of beautiful Montana. Commonly referred to as the PSC, our agency is staffed by a team of approximately 33 professionals in the Legal, Regulatory, and Centralized Services Divisions. The PSC is responsible for supervising monopolistic industries within Montana to ensure fair prices, responsible business practices, and sustainable, reliable service for the Montana customers who rely upon them. Regulated industries currently include privately held power, water, sewer, telecommunications, sanitation, and certain commercial transportation providers. The PSC also plays a vital role in railway and pipeline safety. The agency has a clear and well-defined strategic plan to enhance our operations, work environment, and value to the public. Our team includes seasoned leaders with expertise and institutional knowledge coupled with newly elected commissioners with innovative ideas for the agency.

Requirements

Excellent legal writing skills and oral advocacy skills.
Excellent organization, prioritization, multitasking and time management skills.
Excellent legal research skills, including a working knowledge of electronic legal research platforms (e.g. Lexis/Westlaw) and printed research materials. Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
Strong digital literacy skills, including intermediate-to-advanced skills in Microsoft 365 and common technologies (e.g. personal computers and office machines).
Thorough knowledge of the Montana Administrative Procedure Act and the Montana Rules of Evidence.
Thorough knowledge of the Montana Rules of Civil and Appellate Procedure and Uniform District Court Rules.
Ability to learn, understand, and consistently utilize the agency's online docket management system.
Strong sense of discretion, integrity, and professional responsibility in handling confidential and/or sensitive material.
Strong sense of the chain of command, decorum, and professionalism.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with diverse groups of people.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and individually.
Ability to maintain professionalism when critiqued.
Ability to stay abreast of changes and developments in the law.
Ability to analyze difficult legal problems and synthesize a course of action to develop practical, defensible recommendations and action plans.
Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
Admission to practice law in Montana or admission within six months from the date of hire.

Nice To Haves

At least two years of experience as a practicing attorney preferred.

Responsibilities

Draft and review legal documents, including orders, notices, and staff memoranda.
Reviews party briefs, Commission casefiles, and transcripts.
Review, study, and research laws, court decisions, and related legal authorities.
Advise the Commission and its staff on complex contested case and investigatory proceedings across multiple fields within the Commission's jurisdiction.
In coordination with staff work teams, manage administrative dockets, rulemakings, and responses to public records requests.
Present staff recommendations to the Commission during public business meetings.
Occasionally travel to Commission hearings and other proceedings to advise the presiding officer.
When appointed to act as a hearing examiner in contested case proceedings, prepare appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, and proposed orders for the Commission's review.
Represents the Commission in a variety of litigation matters. Prepare motions, briefs, and other litigation documents.