Law Clerk (Hybrid)

The Oregon Public Utility Commission (PUC) is looking for energetic applicants interested in public service to serve as Law Clerks in our agency. This posting describes the agency, the role of Administrative Law Judges – with whom Law Clerks will work, the expected duties of the Law Clerk, compensation, employment terms, and application requirements.

The PUC is responsible for regulation of investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities, large water companies, and telecommunications utilities. The utility industry is changing rapidly, as regulators and utilities work to incorporate new technologies, the demand for consumer services, and environmental issues, such as climate change, into decision making. The PUC deals with all these issues, while working to ensure that consumers are protected. Final authority for decisions that relate to the price and quality of service within these industries rests with the Commission. Public hearings are held to balance competing public interests. The Commission also receives and resolves complaints and disputes between regulated utilities and their customers. The Commission’s mission is “to ensure Oregonians have access to safe, reliable and fairly priced utility services that advance state policy and promote the public interest. We use an inclusive process to evaluate differing viewpoints and visions of the public interest and arrive at balanced, well-reasoned, independent decisions supported by fact and law.” The Commission has a staff of approximately 132 employees to support its operations and decision-making.

The Administrative Hearings Division is an independent division that works with PUC Commissioners to develop and issue orders and decisions. The division is staffed by Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) and legal support staff. ALJs preside over complex cases involving utilities, industrial customers, consumer groups and competitors. Subjects addressed by ALJs include novel legal and policy questions, renewable energy, rate regulation, industry restructuring, competitive market issues, network engineering, accounting, financial practices, tax, and economics. ALJs issue rulings, preside over hearings, and write proposed orders, making formal recommendations for the resolution of these cases.

Cases typically involve numerous parties representing divergent and conflicting private and public interests. Hearings require an extended procedural schedule and are characterized by a large amount of pre-filed testimony and evidence, examination and resolution of conflicting testimony sponsored by expert witnesses, in-depth legal research and policy analysis, and heightened agency and public interest awareness. Many proceedings involve the development of, or application of, significant issues of public policy, taking into account existing law, agency rules and policies, federal agency rules and policies, and relevant precedent in other jurisdictions.

Our law clerks are assigned to work with ALJs and our Legal Support Staff. Law clerks work to support the ALJ’s resolution of dockets. ALJs independently preside over all aspects of the proceedings and take affirmative steps to ensure that all parties have the opportunity to present their positions and to respond to the views of other parties. The ALJ makes factual determinations based on the evidence presented and performs extensive legal research and analysis. At the conclusion of the proceeding, ALJs prepare final orders and present draft orders to the Commissioners. The orders must be legally sufficient, accurate, and timely, and address the relevant positions of each party and resolve all necessary factual, legal and policy issues. ALJs advise the Commissioners throughout proceeding and during case deliberations, and participate in the development, or application of, significant public policy issues relating to the restructuring of regulated utility industries and competitive markets. Our law clerks work with and assist ALJs and the Support Staff to meet these responsibilities.

Assignments range from finding a single citation to working on a project for weeks or even months. As a law clerk, you may be working on several projects for several ALJs, or for the support team simultaneously.

For example, as a law clerk, you may write memos, draft simple orders or rulings, assist with public records request, assist with requests for interevenor funding, support our bi-weekly public meetings, and other duties as needed.

Applicants must possess a Bachelor’s degree AND have successfully completed one-year of study at a recognized law school.

The compensation will typically be up to $17.42 per hour, depending on qualifications.

Law clerks will be compensated according to State of Oregon pay practices and equal-pay analysis, consistent with candidate education and work experience.

PUC Law Clerk positions are temporary (non-status) positions. Appointment duration is contingent based on the business needs of PUC, and may vary in length. Assignments are evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and may be ended at any time at the discretion of PUC. Law Clerks may work up to 40 hours per week. With approval by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, unpaid time off may be provided.

This temporary position is eligible for hybrid-remote work. The duties of this position may be performed remotely, at our central office in Salem, and at the PUC’s Portland satellite office. The ability to report to Salem and Portland is required when business or operational needs are necessary for onsite activities. Hybrid-Remote work may be provided to PUC staff in accordance with the Department of Administrative Services (DAS), “Working Remotely” statewide HR policy. Currently, employees may request approval for hybrid-remote work (generally from the employee’s personal residence). Requests are evaluated based on the agency’s business needs. Hybrid-Remote work promotes the health and safety of Oregonians, decreases the agency’s impact on the environment and supports flexibility and work-life balance for PUC staff.

We are currently recruiting a law clerk for immediate service. To submit a complete application, you must use the State of Oregon “Workday” recruitment system. Using the Workday system:

**If you are a current employee of the State of Oregon, you MUST apply through your internal State of Oregon employee Workday account and attach the required material.**

Take Note! The Workday system will timeout after 15 minutes of inactivity. You must submit your application after you begin the process. You cannot save your progress and come back to it later.

For more information about applying for positions with the State of Oregon via Workday, you may visit the Oregon job opportunities website at: www.oregon.gov/jobs

If you need an accommodation to participate in the application process, contact PUC Human Resources at 503-510-9416.

Veterans:

Eligible Veterans who meet the qualifications will be given Veterans’ preference. For further information, please see the following website: Veterans Resources, or call Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs at: 1-800-692-9666.

Note: If claiming Veterans’ preference please be sure to check your Workday account for pending tasks or actions under your “My Applications” section.

Help your application rise to the top! Showcase your unique skills and experience in your resume. Show us how YOU are the best candidate for this position.

Candidates whose training and/or experience most closely match the requirements and needs of the position, and who attach all necessary documents may be eligible for an interview.

Submissions will be screened for consistency of information and communication skills at the professional level (clarity, conciseness, attention to detail, spelling, grammar, etc.).

Please email us at nolan.moser@puc.oregon.gov if you have any questions, and we will be happy to tell you more.

If you are hired, you may be required to provide facts about past employment and present financial interests if they could be connected with the businesses regulated by the PUC.

The PUC does not offer VISA sponsorships. Within three-days of hire, you will be required to complete the US Department of Homeland Security’s I-9 form confirming authorization to work in the United States.

This recruitment will be used to establish a list of qualified candidates; this list will be used to fill the current opening and may be used to fill other openings as they occur.

The pay and benefits on all announcements may change without notice.

Remote work information – Demonstrate suitability for remote work including access to a broadband internet connection that meets or exceeds the minimum acceptable requirements.

The PUC is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer Committed to Workforce Diversity.