People's Counsel - Office of the People's Counsel (OPC-DC)

Mayor's Office of Talent and Appointments (MOTA) • Washington, DC

2d • $209,220 • Onsite

About The Position

The People's Counsel is the Agency Head for the Office of the People’s Counsel. The People’s Counsel establishes agency goals, objectives, policies and legal strategy. The Office of the People's Counsel is an independent agency of the District of Columbia government. By law, it is the advocate for consumers of natural gas, electric and telephone services in the District. District of Columbia law designates the Office as a party to all utility-related proceedings before the Public Service Commission. The Office also represents the interests of District ratepayers before federal regulatory agencies. The Office is authorized to investigate the operation and valuation of utility companies independently of any pending proceeding.

The Office's mandate is to advocate the provision of quality utility service and equitable treatment at rates that are just, reasonable, and non-discriminatory to assist individual consumers in disputes with utility companies about billing or services; and to provide technical assistance and consumer education to the Consumer Utility Board ("CUB") and other community groups.

In addition, in defining its positions while advocating on matters pertaining to the operation of public utility or energy companies, the Office shall consider the public safety, the economy of the District of Columbia, the conservation of natural resources, and the preservation of environmental quality.

Requirements

• Juris Doctor Degree, member of the Bar of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals, and District resident.
• Ten or more years’ experience in civil or administrative law litigation with emphasis on utility rate regulation.
• Five or more years of managerial experience in a litigation practice.
• Five or more years of trial work.
• Expert understanding of the Office’s mission and function.
• Expert managerial and supervisory skills.
• Expert working knowledge of utility regulatory principles.
• Excellent ability to interpret data and to disseminate related information.
• Expert skill in persuasive oral and written communication.
• Excellent research, analytic and evaluation skills.
• Expert litigation skills, including skills related to discovery and civil trial litigation.
• Skill in recognizing the need for and to maintain confidentiality with respect to Office documents, client information, and personnel matters.
• Skill in working with other staff in a team oriented approach.
• Expert knowledge in interpreting the applicable laws, rules, regulations and guidelines.
• Superior analytic, negotiation and problem-solving abilities.
• Skill in making persuasive arguments to the legal community and the public.
• Expert public speaking and communications skills.
• Superior skills in working with all consumers and staff of government agencies, including the ability to listen and to relate to differing viewpoints.
• Expert knowledge of utility law, administrative law, rules of evidence, civil procedure, and regulatory guidelines.
• Expert knowledge of and the ability to work effectively with community groups and civic associations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Agency Management: Leads the management team and sets policy regarding all aspects of the agency, including litigation, consumers services, and administration. Ensures that the agency fulfills its statutory mandates and meets its goals and objectives. Works the management team to ensure agency-wide coordination and communication in furtherance of the Office’s policies and objectives.
• Agency Planning: Develops strategic planning, goals, objectives and long-term visions, as well as annual work plans and, is involved in primary responsibilities for the development of planning activities, targets and commitments regarding OPC’s administrative processes. Reviews and analyzes trends and patterns so that problems can be identified and corrected.
• Agency Operations: Provides advice on controversial and precedent-setting issues and implementation issues stemming from revised laws and demonstrates originality and creativity in resolving problems and removing roadblocks in the public utilities arena. Applies an in-depth and broad knowledge of public utility program policies and revised laws, and uses a high level of professional judgment in determining the practicality, appropriateness and acceptability of actions. Assures that all aspects of sound management practices have been addressed, that is, position and personnel management; position and fiscal resources; policies and procedures; and potential precedential impacts.
• Agency Forecasting: The incumbent is skilled in the areas of strategic planning, team building, and facilitating. In addition to policy considerations, the incumbent considers a number of other factors in making decisions, such as equal opportunity. The incumbent provides the leadership necessary to resolve matters which hare very complex, controversial, involving delicate coordination or negotiation of major consequence which may not be treatable in traditional ways. The People’s Counsel draws perception and judgment from experience to confront the greater scope and complexity of interrelated elements, to develop approaches and solutions on matters which, if not identified and dealt with, would have serious consequences for the OPC and its mission.
• Fiscal Year Planning: Develops the fiscal year budget and multi-year forecasts for the Office and develops and compiles relevant data, including, but not limited to, written justification and support for fiscal plans. Assesses the financial, technological and resource requirements of the OPC processes and the distribution of resources required to carry accomplished agency objectives. The incumbent directs the establishment of control to review the accomplishment of strategies, plans and programs. The incumbent develops alternative implementation strategies.
• Personnel Management and Supervision: Manages and supervises the activities of the Deputy People’s Counsel, Director of Operations, Associate People’s Counsel for Consumer Services, and Manager of Consumer Services and Executive Assistant to ensure a consistent application of requirements and policy, a coordinated approach to planning and development, and effective interfacing with external customers.
• External Communications and Outreach: Attends various public and community meetings and hearings throughout the District and appears before legal and legislative forums and conferences and meetings to deliver speeches and presentations on current and emerging utility regulatory issues. Ensures OPC utilizes available print and electronic media to communicate with stakeholders
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Executive
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree