Staff Attorney

State of Maine•Hallowell, ME

13d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Maine Public Utilities Commission plays a pivotal role in shaping Maine's energy landscape. We are committed to serving the public interest by balancing access to safe and reliable utility services with rates that are just and reasonable for customers and public utilities, while minimizing energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions. We are seeking an experienced Staff Attorney to join our Legal Division and help us tackle in an administrative law context some of the most important issues facing public utilities in Maine. If you are intellectually curious about public utilities, have strong legal writing skills, and have a professional drive for solving complex problems in a dynamic and collaborative work environment, this is a great opportunity to meaningfully serve the public interest in an impactful public service career. The Legal Division is looking for attorneys who thrive on combining their legal skills with critical thinking and evaluative analysis to help shape the future of Maine's energy systems.

Requirements

A Juris Doctor degree from a recognized school of law.
Admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maine.
A minimum of 2 years’ experience practicing law as a licensed attorney.
Critical Thinking & Analytical Reasoning: The ability to dissect law and regulations.
Attention to Detail: The ability to pay close attention to detail and to organize and analyze information to make sound recommendations.
Intellectual Curiosity: A natural inclination to dive deep into unfamiliar topics, seek out new information, and continuously learn. Not afraid to ask questions and tackle complex regulatory issues, and someone who thrives on solving difficult problems. Comfortable with ambiguity.
Clear and Effective Communication: The skill to communicate complex ideas clearly, in writing and verbally to technical and non-technical and legal and non-legal audiences. Strong legal writing skills are a necessity.
Collaboration and Teamwork: Strong interpersonal skills, the ability to maintain professional working relationships, and the ability to work effectively independently and in teams.
Time Management & Organizational Skills: The ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects. Demonstrate the ability to work independently, stay organized, and meet deadlines without compromising quality.
Proven Initiative: Takes ownership of their work and is proactive in addressing challenges. Ability to seek out solutions and ask insightful questions will be a key part of success.

Nice To Haves

Experience in the public utility sector, preferably including experience with ratemaking methods and procedures.
Administrative law background.
Ability to organize thoughts and argument into clearly written legal analyses.
Intellectually curious, proactive, and able to timely manage assigned dockets and workload.
Highly motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

Serve as a legal advisor to Commission leadership and staff on a wide range of public utility matters.
Manage the Commission’s dockets, which include ratemaking proceedings, formal and informal investigations, rulemaking proceedings, and competitive procurements for renewable energy.
Represent the Commission in an appellate capacity before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court, or as counsel in other state and federal judicial forums.
Preside over the Commission’s proceedings, including evidentiary hearings, and ensure due process is provided in all matters.
Work closely with the Commission’s utility analysts to conduct case and technical conferences, evaluate utility filings, review and analyze technically complex evidence and legal argument, and help shape important decisions that affect Maine’s energy future.
Research, interpret, and apply applicable laws, rules, policy, and Commission precedent.
Provide in-house oral and written legal advice, and draft and issue recommended decisions, recommending findings of fact and conclusions of law for public deliberation by the Commission.
Interact with attorneys, witnesses, and parties as the presiding officer in formal conference and hearing settings in accordance with the Commission’s Rules of Practice and Procedure, including with respect to discovery and evidentiary disputes.
Facilitate settlement negotiations when appropriate.
Draft rules, notices of rulemaking, and orders adopting rules, all in accordance with the Maine Administrative Procedure Act.
Work directly with utility analysts in a team environment to review filings from public utilities, such as requests for rate changes, grid planning proposals, interconnection requests, and requests for approvals of reorganizations, financing, and other regulated activities.
Assist utility analysts in writing staff analyses of complex financial, operational, and/or technical evaluations addressing whether utilities are operating effectively and efficiently.

Benefits

Hybrid Work Flexibility: Work remotely 3 days a week and spend 2 days a week in our office in Hallowell. (Must reside in Maine).
Professional Development: Access to in-house and professional training and growth opportunities to support your career advancement.
Inclusive Culture: Work in a collaborative and inclusive environment, where diverse perspectives are necessary and valued.
13 paid holidays
3+ weeks of vacation leave annually (accrual increases with years of service)
Personal leave for overtime-exempt employees
12 days of sick leave per year
Health Insurance Coverage: The State of Maine pays 85%-95% of employee-only premiums
Health Insurance Premium Credit: Participation decreases employee-only premiums by up to 5%
Dental Insurance: The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums
Retirement Plan: The State of Maine contributes a percentage of pay to the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS), on behalf of the employee.
Gym Membership Reimbursement: Up to $40 per month to offset this expense.
Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness: The State of Maine is a qualified employer for this federal program.
Living Resources Program: Employee assistance program.
Parental leave: Six weeks of fully paid parental leave for all employees welcoming a child (including non-birthing and adoptive parents). Additional, unpaid leave may also be available under the Family and Medical Leave Act.
Voluntary Deferred Compensation: Save additional pre-tax funds for retirement in a MaineSaves 457(b) account through payroll deductions.