Closing Date: 23rd November, 2026
Description:
Summary:To perform administrative and legal work for the Department of Energy in conducting hearings, in drafting pleadings, motions, proposed decisions, and rules, and in acting as lead attorney representing the Department of Energy in complex regulatory proceedings.
Your Experience Counts: Each additional year of approved formal education may be substituted for one year of required work experience and/or each additional year of approved work experience may be substituted for one year of required formal education.
Minimum Qualifications:
Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree and 8.5 years of experience OR equivalent combination of 12.5 years of education and experience after completion of high school. Education and experience must be in administrative hearings / adjudication, utility, energy, telecom, or transportation regulation, legal counsel, litigation or related field and must include at least 2 years of experience in the practice of law.
License/Certification: Valid driver's license
Other Requirements: Must be an active member of the New Hampshire Bar Association and in Good Standing.
Trainee Option: Candidates with an equivalent combination of 11.5+ years of relevant education and experience after completion of high school may be considered and hired in ‘trainee status' for this position.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate from an American Bar Association recognized law school.
- Thorough knowledge of common, statutory and constitutional laws of the state of New Hampshire, and Commission procedures and rules. Demonstrated ability to perform legal research and draft legal documents, and deal tactfully with staff, management, and external stakeholders.
Career Advancement Opportunities:
In-Band Advancement Available: ☐ Yes ☒ No
Criteria:
Broad Group Level Advancement Available: ☐ Yes ☒ No
Criteria:
Disclaimers:
The supplemental job description lists the essential functions of the position and is not intended to include every job duty and responsibility specific to the position. An employee may be required to perform other related duties not listed on the supplemental job description provided that such duties are characteristic of that job title.
When applicable, the work of an employee in trainee status in this position shall be overseen by a fully qualified individual. An employee in trainee status shall meet the minimum qualifications within the period of time specified on the SJD, not to exceed one year of being hired into this position.
Responsibilities:
- Conducts prehearing examinations and hearings to define issues, qualify exhibits, rule on motions and admissibility of evidence, explore areas of potential agreement between the parties, hear arguments of counsel, and hear testimony.
- Reviews files, records, policies, briefs, agency rules, laws and court decisions to advise and recommend actions on legal, policy, and administrative questions to Department staff and Commissioner.
- Drafts and revises pleadings, motions, briefs, rules, and decisions for filing with the Public Utilities Commission or for separate issuance by the Department.
- Acts as staff attorney by counseling Department staff and the Commissioner; preparing witnesses; coordinating Department's presentation of evidence; writing data requests; preparing discovery responses; conducting direct and cross-examination; presenting oral argument; writing comments, pleadings and briefs; negotiating settlements; and drafting agreements; in the context of matters pending before the Public Utilities Commission.
- Performs such powers and duties assigned to the Department that may be delegated to the hearings examiner. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.
For further information please contact Paul Dexter, Legal Group Supervisor at Paul.B.Dexter@energy.nh.gov or 603-271-6592.