Closing Date: 29th October, 2026

Description:

The Position:
The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission's (PUC) Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement (I&E) is looking for recent law school graduates who enjoy working in a team-based environment and are interested in beginning their career in utility law-focused litigation as an Assistant Counsel 1 (AC1). Positions are available in both the Rates Division and the Enforcement Division of I&E.

If you are highly motivated, detail-oriented, and interested in a career in litigation, you are encouraged to apply. The Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement is a highly rewarding bureau to work for due to its charge to represent the public interest and its team-based atmosphere.

Description of Work:
These positions support the review of filings and investigations to guide legal actions within the Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement. Work involves preparing research and case materials that support hearings and legal decisions. As an Assistant Counsel 1, you will perform the following duties:

Review Actions: Examine filings or investigations to determine the proper response for enforcement
Research Preparation: Develop analyses and recommendations on legal and procedural matters
Case Development: Prepare documents, testimony, and strategies for litigation and hearings
Team Coordination: Work with technical or legal staff to build strong and organized case approaches
Settlement Work: Negotiate agreements or prepare materials for further legal action
Hearing Advocacy: Present arguments, question witnesses, and support evidence before Administrative Law Judges

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

Full-time employment
Note: This posting will have positions available in the Rates Division and the Enforcement Division.
Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
Telework: Part-time work from home (telework) may be a potential feature of this position. The successful candidate is required to report to the headquarters worksite daily, unless the employee meets eligibility requirements and telework has been approved. Management may discontinue any telework arrangement at any time, for any reason. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office.
To be eligible to participate in telework, the employee's alternate (telework) worksite must meet the following requirements:

Within a reasonable travel distance of headquarters; and
Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Please direct all questions regarding reasonable distance and the type of available telework to the PUC Human Resource Office at ra-puchr@pa.gov or 717.787.8714.
Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Required Experience, Training & Eligibility:
Qualifications:

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:
Graduation from an approved school of law and certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, or preparatory steps to become a member thereof. Continued employment is conditional upon the obtaining of such certificate of admission.

Additional Requirements:
You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.
All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant's own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only. Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:
Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. 7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.