SENIOR ATTORNEY - 61000184

State of Florida•Tallahassee, FL

3d•$65,000 - $90,000

About The Position

The Florida Public Service Commission (FPSC) is committed to making sure that Florida's consumers receive some of their most essential services — electric, natural gas, telephone, water, and wastewater — in a safe, reasonable, and reliable manner. In doing so, the FPSC exercises regulatory authority over utilities in one or more of three key areas: rate base/economic regulation; competitive market oversight; and monitoring of safety, reliability, and service. The Office of General Counsel provides legal counsel to the Commission on all matters under the Commission’s jurisdiction. This office also supervises the procedural and legal aspects of all cases before the Commission. In addition, this office assists in responding to inquiries from the Legislature. The office is responsible for defending Commission orders on appeal, for defending Commission rules challenged before the Division of Administrative Hearings, and for representing the Commission before state and federal courts. To assist FPSC offices and divisions, this office offers support in making filings with, or presentations to, other federal, state, or local agencies. The office advises in the promulgation of rules and attends or conducts rulemaking hearings at the Commission’s direction. It also reviews procurement contracts; counsels the Commission on personnel, contractual, public records, and other administrative legal matters. In cases involving evidentiary hearings before the Commission or an Administrative Law Judge, the office is responsible for conducting discovery, presenting staff positions and testimony, and cross-examining other parties’ witnesses. In conjunction with the appropriate technical staff, this office prepares recommendations to the Commission and prepares written Commission orders. This Senior Attorney position will work in the Appeals, Rules and Ethics Section of the Office of the General Counsel. The focus of the position is estimated at 60% administrative rulemaking and 40% appellate work. Between 3 to 8 years of combined experience in these areas is ideal. Commission appeals are generally before the First District Court of Appeal or the Florida Supreme Court. Hiring salary is flexible and competitive with other state agencies, commensurate with level of experience. In particular, the ideal candidate will have: A career focus on administrative law. Significant experience with Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, particularly agency rulemaking. Appellate law experience in the public or private sector or judicial clerkship experience with significant exposure to administrative appeals. Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills. Appellate brief writing experience or exposure to appellate briefs (i.e., if clerking for a judge). Oral argument experience or exposure to oral argument (i.e., if clerking for a judge).

Requirements

Admission to The Florida Bar and two years of professional experience in the practice of law, legal research, teaching law or in administrative or judicial meetings.

Nice To Haves

A career focus on administrative law.
Significant experience with Chapter 120, Florida Statutes, particularly agency rulemaking.
Appellate law experience in the public or private sector or judicial clerkship experience with significant exposure to administrative appeals.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Appellate brief writing experience or exposure to appellate briefs (i.e., if clerking for a judge).
Oral argument experience or exposure to oral argument (i.e., if clerking for a judge).

Benefits

State Group Insurance coverage options, including health, life, dental, vision, and other supplemental insurance options
Retirement plan options, including employer contributions
Paid Leave of Absence benefits, including Personal and Sick Leave
Nine paid holidays and one paid Personal Holiday each year
State Employee Tuition Waiver Program – Six credit hours per semester with the state college/university system
Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Deferred Compensation Plan
Tax Beneficial Flexible Spending Accounts
Flexible Work Schedules
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – Student loans can be forgiven after 10 years of qualified public service, certain eligibility requirements must be met.
And more!