Staff Attorney 2

The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved. In addition to representing consumer interests before PURA, the OCC participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts, and promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums.

The OCC has a current opportunity for a Staff Attorney 2 in the New Britain Office who will play a critical role ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in the state of Connecticut.  The Staff Attorney 2 will have the opportunity to work on and participate in cases in both administrative and judicial settings, and as an attorney in an independent state agency this includes the potential to litigate cases in state and/or federal appellate courts. The Staff Attorney 2 will also be engaged in policy development on issues relating to grid modernization, electrification, energy affordability and utility regulatory reform.

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization
• Energy infrastructure (e.g., electric transmission lines, non-wires alternatives,)
• Energy efficiency and demand response
• Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates
• Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning
• Utility service quality and storm response
• Electric vehicles and energy storage
• Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy

The State is pleased to offer affordable health insurance and a variety of supplemental benefits that include things such as flexible spending accounts.  This position is 40 hours per week, Mon - Fri, located in New Britain.

Please be advised that resumes are no longer being accepted during the time that you apply.  Please ensure that your application is complete and displays your qualifications.  You will be unable to make revisions once it is submitted.  Questions can be sent to Emily.Kennedy@ct.gov.

This position is non-examined and open to the public. The selected candidate must be both, admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut, and a member in good standing of the Connecticut bar, by the time employment commences. 

This posting MAY require completion of additional referral questions (RQs) which will be sent to you via email after the closing date. Please regularly check your email for notifications. Please also check your SPAM/Junk folders.  You must reply by the deadline indicated on the notification or you will be automatically disqualified from consideration.   

Candidates selected to move forward in the hiring process may be required to submit a cover letter and writing sample.  Position specific questions can be sent to Veronica.Maas@ct.gov.

In a state agency this class is accountable for independently performing a full range of tasks in the legal work of the agency.

• Work and participate in cases in administrative and judicial settings, including the opportunity to serve as lead counsel or team leader on matters involving a variety of advanced and complex legal issues related to OCC's statutory responsibilities;
• Work with members of OCC and represent OCC before the legislature and other state and federal agencies or entities on cutting edge policy initiatives;
• Participate as a team member of a small, highly-skilled staff dedicated to the mission of consumer advocacy;
• Work independently and creatively solve problems;
• Work with subject-matter experts on contested and uncontested matters;
• Collaborate with the Office of the Attorney General, the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and other state agencies on legal issues, policy development, or resource procurements;
• Provide legal guidance to the Consumer Counsel;
• Negotiate and draft settlements related to multimillion dollar utility issues;
• Develop, review, and opine on legislative proposals;
• Interact with Connecticut legislators and state officials on a broad array of issues related to the Office of Consumer Counsel and its mission.

Considerable knowledge of legal principles, practices and procedures in Connecticut; considerable knowledge of legal research techniques; considerable knowledge of the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; considerable knowledge of and the ability to interpret and apply relevant state and federal laws, statutes, regulations and legislation; considerable knowledge of relevant agency policies and procedures; knowledge of the rules of evidence; knowledge of criminal and constitutional law and legislative process; considerable interpersonal skills; considerable oral and written communication skills; considerable ability to apply judicial decisions to the interpretation of statutes; considerable ability to comprehend, analyze and organize technical data and coordinate elements of legal cases.

STAFF ATTORNEY 2: Two (2) years of experience in the practice of law.
STAFF ATTORNEY 3: Three (3) years of experience in the practice of law at the level of Staff Attorney 2 in the same state agency.

• Experience with one or more of the following: energy, natural gas, water, telecommunications, utility, finance, economics, environmental, or other related technical field
  
• Experience working in a team setting
  
• Experience in litigation or administrative law
  
• Experience communicating in person, on the phone, and in writing with a variety of constituents, including co-workers and the public
  
• Experience in court or administrative agency matters concerning telecommunications, broadband, energy, natural gas, or water issues
  
• Experience in written and oral legal advocacy on complex issues
  

1. Must be admitted to practice law in the State of Connecticut.
2. May be required to travel.

AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.