Assistant Consumers Counsel

About the Role

The attorney will provide legal advice to management and the agency director (the Consumers’ Counsel) for leading the Agency’s consumer protection role. The attorney will advocate (litigate and negotiate) the agency’s consumer protection issues in forums that principally include the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO). Other forums for consumer advocacy can include the Ohio Supreme Court and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. Services may also include legislative advocacy, where utility regulation and consumer protection are set forth in Ohio law.

The attorney will need an understanding of utility regulations—broadly involving rate-setting, service quality issues, and policy matters such as the agency’s favoring of effective competitive markets over monopolies for providing services to consumers. The attorney will assist with retaining and functionally supervising consultants for this work. The role requires the ability to work well within agency teams and be adept at independent work requiring personal initiative to achieve agency objectives for consumers.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice to management and the agency director (Consumers’ Counsel).
• Advocate for consumer protection through litigation and negotiation in forums such as the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO), Ohio Supreme Court, and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.
• Engage in legislative advocacy related to utility regulation and consumer protection under Ohio law.
• Understand and apply utility regulations, including rate-setting, service quality, and policy matters.
• Retain and supervise consultants supporting the agency’s work.
• Collaborate within agency teams while demonstrating initiative in independent work.
• Demonstrate excellence in oral and written communications, including persuasive writing and simplifying technical issues.
• Utilize work processing programs, online research, and other technology for legal advocacy.
• Commit to working more than forty hours per week as needed for consumer advocacy.

Requirements

• License to practice law in the State of Ohio.
• Minimum of three years or equivalent experience in public utility regulation.
• Working knowledge of utility regulation and utility consumer issues.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including persuasive writing.
• Familiarity with legal technology, including work processing programs and online research tools.
• Commitment to public service and willingness to work extended hours as needed.

Benefits

• Medical Coverage: Quality, affordable, and competitive medical benefits through Ohio Med plans.
• Dental, Vision, and Basic Life Insurance: Premiums are free after the completed eligibility period (length depends on union representation).
• Time Away From Work and Work/Life Balance:
  • Paid time off, including vacation, personal, and sick leave.
  • 11 paid holidays per year.
  • Childbirth/adoption leave.
• Employee Development Funds: Varied funding for educational and professional development based on union status.
• Ohio Public Employees Retirement System (OPERS):
  • Employee contributes 10% of salary toward retirement.
  • Employer contributes 14% of the employee’s salary.
• Deferred Compensation: 457(b) voluntary retirement savings plan available.

Schedule

Full-time, Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM – 5:30 PM.

About the Agency

The Ohio Consumers’ Counsel advocates and educates to secure affordable, reliable, and equitable residential utility services for Ohioans. The Office of the Ohio Consumers’ Counsel, the State’s voice for millions of Ohio residential utility consumers, seeks an employee with a passion for public service to serve as an Assistant Consumers’ Counsel in its Legal Department. This position supports consumers, including at-risk and low-income Ohioans, in matters related to electric, natural gas, telephone, and water utility services. Since its creation in 1976, the agency has worked to lower utility bills and ensure reliable utility service for residential consumers. At OCC, we put Consumers First.