Assistant Counsel NS-25 (Rates & Utilities)

About the role

The Assistant Counsel, NS-25, will work in the Rates and Utilities Section of the Office of General Counsel (OGC). Under the direction of managing attorneys, the position involves analyzing applications, conducting legal research, drafting orders, and supporting Commission proceedings (see Responsibilities for details). The New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) seeks to ensure affordable, safe, secure, and reliable access to electric, gas, steam, telecommunications, and water services for New York residential and commercial consumers, while protecting the environment. Consistent with this mission, the Department also oversees the siting of clean, renewable, and distributed energy generation and transmission resources to benefit New Yorkers. The Department is seeking energetic, litigation-oriented attorneys who are proactive self-starters that will engage in cutting-edge legal, consumer protection, technological, financial, and compliance issues and play a key role in advancing the public interest for New Yorkers. DPS attorneys work in a collegial environment with ample opportunity to improve skills through training, supervision, and mentoring. The primary location for this position is Albany, NY, with at least 5% travel. This is an appointment to a position in the exempt jurisdictional class; the incumbent would serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority, and appointment is contingent upon Division of Budget approval.

Responsibilities

• Analyzing applications and petitions, and responsive comments and documents from utilities and interested stakeholders, researching the law, and drafting or reviewing orders for Public Service Commission (Commission) action regarding utility requests for rate increases, tariff changes, gas system planning, and other matters.
• Processing, analyzing, and reporting to the Commission on petitions for rehearing or reconsideration of its determinations.
• Leading staff preparation and presentations in Commission proceedings set for hearings, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution.
• Analyzing issues, conducting legal research, developing case strategy, drafting and editing discovery requests and responses, editing written testimony, preparing and conducting cross-examination of witnesses in evidentiary hearings before administrative law judges, and drafting post-hearing briefs and statements regarding proposed settlements.
• Conducting