State of Maryland

A Public Service Commission (PSC) Assistant General Counsel Lead/Advanced is the lead or advanced level of providing legal representation for the people of the State in utility-related matters. Employees in this classification that function as lead workers assign, review, and approve the work of and train lower-level Assistant General Counsels. Employees in this classification that function as advanced workers perform the advanced level of legal work and analysis on behalf of the Commission. Employees in this classification do not supervise other employees.

Employees in this classification receive general supervision from the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel of the Public Service Commission. Employees in this classification may be required to travel throughout the State to present cases at hearings.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology. The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

The PSC Assistant General Counsel I, PSC Assistant General Counsel II, PSC Assistant General Counsel III, PSC Assistant General Counsel IV, and PSC Assistant General Counsel V are differentiated based on the degree of supervisory control exercised by the supervisor over these employees. The PSC Assistant General Counsel I learns to perform duties under close supervision. The PSC Assistant General Counsel II performs duties under close supervision. The PSC Assistant General Counsel III performs duties under close supervision at times and under general supervision at other times, depending on the complexity of the specific duty being performed. The PSC Assistant General Counsel IV performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision. The PSC Assistant General Counsel V performs at an advanced/lead level and performs the full range of duties and responsibilities under general supervision and is assigned special projects.

When functioning at the Lead level:

Assigns, reviews, and approves the work of lower-level PSC Assistant General Counsel;

Trains lower-level PSC Assistant General Counsel;

Lead teams on complicated cases that require multiple attorneys and/or advisors.

When functioning at the Advanced level:

Performs advanced levels of legal work and analysis on behalf of the Commission;

Performs special projects related to energy policy, utility regulation, and relevant issues;

Apply specialized knowledge to projects and cases;

Both Lead/Advanced:

Prosecutes alleged violations of utility-related matters;

Gathers and analyzes case evidence and plans and develops legal strategy and case presentations;

Counsels and advises complainants regarding legal issues, rights and procedures;

Prepares opinions, briefs and other legal documents;

Negotiates and drafts settlement agreements;

Drafts Commission orders;

Coordinates with advisors and other commission staff on issues before the Commission;

Assists with Maryland Public Information Act requests;

Assists with formal complaints;

May draft bills and regulations;

May analyze legislative bills and prepare legislative testimony;

May act as senior attorney when paired with an attorney who is less experienced regarding the issues of an assigned case;

May provide training on legal issues to Public Service Commission staff and to the general public;

Performs other related duties.

Education: A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney, including at least four years of specific experience in public utility law or related field.

Notes:

1. Candidates must be a member of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in judge advocate general classification or judge advocate general specialty codes in the general attorney field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

A Class Description provides information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work and General Requirements for a classification in the Management Service or a classification in the Skilled or Professional Service in which all positions have been designated Special Appointments.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements. The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System. All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions. Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential). As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, Annotated Code of Maryland, special appointment, temporary, contractual, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining. Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.

Class descriptions broadly define groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies. Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.