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Staff Attorney - Anticipated Vacancy

Hallowell , Maine , United States | Legal | Full-time | Partially remote

Apply by: July 30, 2025

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Staff Attorney – ANTICIPATED VACANCY

Code: YC02 Confidential

Opening date: May 27, 2025

Closing date: July 30, 2025

Salary: $90,000+ per year

The Maine Public Utilities Commission (Commission) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as a Hearing Examiner/Presiding Officer in Commission proceedings. This legal work centers on the regulation and oversight of public utilities, including managing and presiding over both adjudicatory and non-adjudicatory proceedings in one or more of the following areas: utility ratemaking and investigations, with a particular emphasis on electric and natural gas utilities; rulemaking; and competitive procurements of renewable energy, including negotiation and enforcement of agreements. The selected attorney may also represent the Commission before the Maine Supreme Judicial Court or other state and federal forums.

In this role you can expect to:

• As part of a team, preside over utility rate cases and investigations.

• Ensure that due process is followed in all proceedings.

• Conduct case and technical conferences and oversee hearings.

• Review and analyze evidence, pleadings, and briefs.

• Draft and issue written rulings and provide legal guidance and recommended decisions to the Commissioners.

• Interact with attorneys, witnesses, and parties involved in proceedings.

• Facilitate settlement negotiations when appropriate.

• Draft rules and notices and adoption orders relating to Commission rules; preside over rulemaking proceedings.

• Research, interpret and apply applicable laws, Commission rules, regulatory principles and Commission precedent.

(The above is a representative list and should not be interpreted as all-inclusive.)

A career at the Commission offers the opportunity to perform challenging work that directly impacts all Mainers. The Commission offers a collaborative and supportive work environment. This position offers a hybrid work schedule (remote and in-office at the Commission’s Hallowell, Maine office). In-house and professional training opportunities are available.

If out-of-state at time of application, candidate must be willing to relocate to Maine to commence employment.

Qualifications:

Preferred qualifications for this position include any of the following:

+ Experience with ratemaking methods and procedures, ideally with an emphasis on electric and/or natural gas utilities.

+ Administrative law experience.

Minimum qualifications include:

+ A minimum of three years of practice of law as a licensed attorney.

+ Candidates must have graduated from a recognized school of law and be admitted to the practice of law in the State of Maine or, if practicing outside of Maine, be willing to take the next scheduled Bar Examination, and as a condition of employment, be admitted to the Maine Bar within one year of start date.

+ The ability to pay close attention to detail and to organize and analyze information to make sound recommendations.

+ Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical information clearly and concisely to both technical and non-technical audiences.

+ Initiative and self-direction.

+ The ability to work effectively in teams and to maintain professional working relationships with Commissioners, staff colleagues and consultants, as well as representatives of utility companies, stakeholders, and the general public.

Preference will be given to candidates with experience in utility regulation.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants need to apply online by selecting the "Apply for this opening" button. Applicants must also upload a cover letter, a current resume, and a professional or academic writing sample.Incomplete applications may not be considered. If you require a paper application, please go to the following link: https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/application-process.

Contact Information:

For more information or questions, please contact Celeste Gaylord, Maine Public Utilities Commission, at [email protected] or 207-287-1360.

Benefits of working for the State of Maine:

No matter where you work across Maine state government, you will find employees who embody our state motto—"Dirigo" or "I lead"—as they provide essential services to Mainers every day. We believe in supporting our workforce's health and wellbeing with a valuable total compensation package, including:

+ Work-Life Fit – Rest is essential. Take time for yourself using 13 paid holidays, 12 days of sick leave, and 3+ weeks of vacation leave annually. Vacation leave accrual increases with years of service, and overtime-exempt employees receive personal leave.

+ Health Insurance Coverage – The State of Maine pays 85%-100% of employee-only premiums ($11,196.96 -$13,172.88 annual value), depending on salary. Use this chart to find the premium costs for you and your family, including the percentage of dependent coverage paid by the State.

+ Dental Insurance – The State of Maine pays 100% of employee-only dental premiums ($358.08 annual value).

+ Retirement Plan – The State contributes the equivalent of 18.09% of the employee's pay towards the Maine Public Employees Retirement System (MainePERS).

State employees are eligible for an extensive and highly competitive benefits package (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/state-jobs/compensation-benefits) , covering many aspects of wellness. Learn about additional wellness benefits for State employees from the Office of Employee Health and Wellness (https://www.maine.gov/bhr/oeh/) .

Note: Benefits may vary somewhat according to specific collective bargaining agreements and are prorated for anything less than full-time.

As an Equal Opportunity employer, Maine State Government embraces a culture of respect and awareness. We are committed to creating a strong sense of belonging for all team members, and our process ensures an inclusive environment to applicants of all backgrounds including diverse race, color, sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, physical or mental disability, religion, age, ancestry, national origin, familial status or genetics. Reasonable accommodations are provided to qualified individuals with disabilities upon request.

Information provided during the application, interview and selection process will be verified.