Closing Date:
New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
44 South Clinton Avenue
P.O. BOX 350
Trenton, NJ 08625
NOTICE OF VACANCY
**This position may be eligible for telework up to two days per week**
POSTING NO.: 19-2024
TITLE: Deputy General Counsel (Legal Specialist)
SALARY: $145,000.00 – $150,000.00
WORKWEEK: 35 hours (NL)
EXISTING VACANCIES: One (1)
OPENING DATE: February 29, 2024
CLOSING DATE: March 25, 2024
DIVISION/LOCATION: Office of the General Counsel
At the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (“Board” or “BPU”), you will be part of a highly effective and collaborative team working to ensure that safe, adequate, and proper utility services are provided to all members of the public who desire such services.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION: Under direction of the General Counsel or other supervisory position, assists in managing and directing the Office of the General Counsel, and is responsible for performing confidential legislative, legal, and policy-influencing research related to utility regulation and various Board initiatives and programs, in conformance with guidelines established by the State Attorney General. Along with the General Counsel, manages a team of Regulatory Attorneys, Interns and Assistants. Acts as liaison between the BPU and multiple state and federal departments. Interfaces with the Office of the Attorney General in receiving, formulating, and transmitting requests for legal advice on behalf of the BPU; prepares reports, comments and recommendations on various utility-related issues including but not limited to rulemakings, utility-impacting matters in the federal arena, proposed or existing legislation; and handles other such functions, duties and related work as required.
WORK RESPONSIBILITIES
• As a member of the Board's Senior Staff, renders legal advice on all regulatory matters. Brief Commissioners to prepare for Board meetings, providing detailed information on policies and legal foundations of staff recommendations.
• Assists in the day-to-day operations of the Counsel’s Office, including managing Regulatory Officers in the office.
• Provides legal review and analysis for consideration of policy matters to the President, Commissioners and Staff on all matters, and ensures that draft orders, memoranda, and other instruments prepared by Staff are in conformance with Board policy and procedures.
• Draft analysis of pending or proposed legislation and coordinate legislative affairs with Governor’s staff and with legislative staff or individual legislators.
• Collaborates with technical Staff and the Division of Law to prepare, analyze and draft agency decisions memorializing the findings and opinions of the Commissioners. Assists in drafting and reviewing rules and regulations; provides support as needed for rulemakings.
• In coordination with technical Staff and the Division of Law, prepare, analyze and draft Board Decisions, Orders and memoranda including analysis, findings, conclusions and recommendations for Board action. Assists the Division of Law by reviewing legal pleadings.
• Prepare formal reports, memoranda and other extensive official correspondence. Responsible for consultation, discussion and representation of the Board before State and Federal agencies and multi-state groups on energy and clean energy issues, as well as other utility related issues.
• Keep apprised of proceedings and developments at PJM and FERC to determine the impact on New Jersey, and assist the Division of Law’s advocacy before federal agencies such as FERC and RTOs such as PJM.
• Serve as a Hearing Officer. Presides over public municipal consent hearings; demonstrates understanding of the rules of practice and the scope of the statutory authority delegated to hearing officers pursuant to Title 48 and Board orders.
REQUIREMENTS
EDUCATION: Graduation from an accredited law school with Juris Doctor (J.D.) Degree and licensed to practice law in New Jersey or ability to become a New Jersey-licensed attorney.
EXPERIENCE: Five (5) to Seven (7) years as a practicing attorney, one (1) of which shall have been in a supervisory capacity.
PREFERENCE: Preference will be given to attorneys with experience involving energy, clean energy or regulatory matters, drafting rules, regulations and/or legislation, familiarity with OPRA and OPMA, and the application of government policies, rules and regulations. Experienced attorneys are encouraged to apply. Specific experience in a subject matter regulated by the Board is preferred.
The Board specifically welcomes applications from attorneys that have taken a non-traditional path to their law degree, as well as those who followed a more conventional route. The candidate must be an excellent writer, with strong interpersonal skills, together with proven ability to work as part of a cross-functional team.
NOTE: We value inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. Candidates with relevant undergraduate or professional experience are encouraged to apply, as are candidates who have shown a strong commitment to remedying the historical under-representation of people of color in energy through their work promoting equity, inclusion, and diversity as well as through their own lived experiences.
RESUME NOTE: Eligibility determinations will be based upon information presented in resume and proof of degree submitted. Applicants who possess foreign degrees (degrees earned outside of the U.S.) are required to provide an evaluation indicating the U.S. equivalency.
OPEN TO THE FOLLOWING: Open to New Jersey residents.
RESIDENCY LAW: Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), also known as the “New Jersey First Act,” which became effective September 1, 2011, all persons newly hired by the Executive Branch on or after that date shall have one year from the date of employment to establish, and then maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey.
WORK AUTHORIZATION: Selected candidates must be authorized to work in the United States according to the Department of Homeland Security, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Regulations. The State of New Jersey does not provide sponsorships for citizenships or Visas to the United States.
SAME APPLICANTS: If you are applying under the NJ “SAME” program, your supporting documents (Schedule A or B letter), must be submitted along with your resume by the closing date indicated above. The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please click here if you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.
HOW TO APPLY: Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest, resume, writing sample, a copy of the college transcript/diploma indicating the date the degree was conferred, if applicable, the State of New Jersey Employment Application and the Personal Relationships Disclosure Form (Click Here – listed under HR policies). Please make sure to include the posting number in the subject line via email. All documents must be submitted by the closing date shown above to the following:
NJ Board of Public Utilities
Office of Human Resources
44 South Clinton Avenue
P.O. BOX 350
Trenton, NJ 08625
Visit us at https://nj.gov/bpu/
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.