PUCT, Enforcement Attorney (Attorney I - III)

About the role

The Division of Compliance and Enforcement (DICE) investigates and litigates potential violations of the Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA), the Texas Water Code, the Commission’s substantive and procedural rules, and ERCOT protocols. The division promotes adherence to customer‑protection requirements for electricity, water, and sewer services; maintains a reliable and safe electric power system; ensures access to competitive telecommunications services; and preserves a competitive wholesale electricity market. The Attorney position performs entry‑level to highly complex legal work related to electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utility regulation, including researching and analyzing legal issues, drafting and reviewing pleadings, orders, and memoranda, assisting with compliance and enforcement matters, and supporting agency advocacy before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and the Commission.

Responsibilities

• Research and analyze legal and regulatory issues affecting electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities.
• Draft and review pleadings, orders, memoranda, briefs, and other legal documents.
• Assist with compliance and enforcement matters, including investigations and litigation.
• Support agency advocacy in proceedings before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and the Commission.
• Participate in contested proceedings and, when applicable, appear before SOAH.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school with an LLB or Juris Doctor (JD) degree; licensed by the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas.
• Attorney I – No prior legal experience required.
• Attorney II – At least two (2) years of full‑time legal work experience as a licensed attorney.
• Attorney III – At least three (3) years of full‑time legal work experience as a licensed attorney, preferably in utility regulation or administrative law.

Preferred Qualifications

• Internship or professional experience relating to electric, telecommunications, or water and wastewater utilities, or within a regulatory state agency.
• Experience in administrative law or litigation.
• Experience drafting legal documents such as memoranda, briefs, or pleadings.
• Experience appearing before SOAH or participating in contested proceedings.

Pay

Salary commensurate with qualifications. Newly hired attorneys receive a 6% legislatively authorized salary increase upon hire.

• Attorney I: $80,004 – $89,250
• Attorney II: $88,200 – $99,750
• Attorney III: $99,225 – $115,500

Schedule

The PUCT operates on a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Employees may request an alternative work schedule in accordance with the PUCT’s Alternative Work Schedule Policy. Telecommuting is permitted with supervisor approval: after 30 days of employment, up to one (1) day per week; after 90 days, up to two (2) days per week. Supervisors may require more frequent office presence for training, performance, or business needs.

Benefits

The PUCT offers a comprehensive benefits package. For a detailed overview, please visit https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits.

Application Requirements

• Complete job history detailing job title, dates of employment, employer name, supervisor’s name and phone number, and description of duties performed.
• Resume (cannot replace the required job history).
• College transcripts (official or unofficial).
• Letter of interest.

Veteran Preference

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a qualifying Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) are encouraged to apply. Required documentation includes:

• Veteran – DD Form 214.
• Surviving spouse of a veteran who has not remarried – marriage certificate and DD Form 1300.
• Orphan of a veteran killed during active duty – birth certificate and DD Form 1300.

Additional Information

Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Background checks, verification of licensure, driving record review, Selective Service registration (for males born on or after January 1 1960), and E‑Verify eligibility are required. The Public Utility Commission of Texas is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.