LEGAL COUNSEL

Class Definition

GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES: To serve as an attorney in a state office by providing legal advice and services; to serve as a hearing officer as assigned; and to do related work as required.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED: Assignments are received from a superior with latitude for exercise of legal judgement and initiative; work is reviewed for results obtained and conformance to established policies, rules, regulations and provisions of law.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED: May supervise the work of technical and clerical employees assigned to assist.

Illustrative Examples of Work Performed

To serve as a legal counsel in a state department or agency by providing legal advice and services.

To serve as a hearing officer in the enforcement of laws, rules and regulations.

To conduct legal research in regards to a variety of issues or the presentation of cases in court.

To provide legal opinions to agency staff personnel.

To draft rules, regulations, laws and amendments thereto.

To prepare detailed reports and recommendations on legal matters.

To develop and maintain legal services programs for client groups.

To represent the agency in court and to prepare the necessary briefs and legal papers.

To coordinate activities with other legal counsels and various state agencies.

To do related work as required.

Required Qualifications For Appointment

KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS AND CAPACITIES: A working knowledge of the methods, practice and procedures of governmental law; the ability to interpret the provisions of state and federal law and to prepare opinions relating thereto for use in the administration of the functions of the department; the ability to function as a hearing officer; the ability to prepare briefs, rulings and miscellaneous legal documents; the ability to draft rules and regulations having the force and effect of law while remaining consistent with the purpose and provisions of the law; the ability to exercise independent judgement in making decisions in unusual cases involving legal matters; the ability to prepare detailed reports and recommendations; and related capacities and abilities.

Education And Experience

Education: Such as may have been gained through: graduation from an accredited Law School; and

Experience: Such as may have been gained through: employment in a responsible capacity within a legal services program involving the interpretation of law and the application of pertinent laws, rules regulations, polices and decisions.

Or, any combination of education and experience that shall be substantially equivalent to the above education and experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Applicant must be a active member of the Rhode Island Bar and must maintain such membership as a condition of employment.

Supplemental Information

Experience advising private, public sector or non-profit clients on energy technologies, environmental and/or climate change subjects.

Excellent communication, negotiation, and project management skills, with the ability to effectively advise clients and collaborate with interdisciplinary teams.

• Minimum of 2+ years of experience practicing law, preferably in a law firm, public, or non-profit legal setting that may involve energy, environmental, and/or climate change subjects.
• Draft, review, and negotiate complex government contracts, subcontracts, and amendments, ensuring alignment with the agency’s goals and statutory requirements.
• Assist staff with drafting, reviewing, and negotiate all memorandum of understandings with state agencies, quais-state agencies, municipalities, schools, non-profits and utilities.
• Assist staff with drafting, reviewing, and negotiate all possible non-disclosure agreements with utilities involving sensitive data or customer information.
• Review and assist staff with all state and federal energy grant awards to ensure contract terms support programmatic and financial objectives.
• Provide subject matter expertise on regulatory requirements, including Rhode Island-specific contracting processes and compliance obligations.
• Engaging with respective staffs from the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers and Public Utilities Commission on energy program and docket subjects, including the annual state energy efficiency and renewable energy growth programs.
• Participate and assist staff in all Public Utilities Commission in-person docket proceedings relevant to the Office.
• Act as the primary point of contact for other government agencies, resolving contract-related issues promptly and professionally.
• Assisting staff with the full contract lifecycle of state and federal energy funding, including implementation, monitoring, amendments, and closeout, while maintaining a comprehensive repository of contract record.
• Provide support to the Office of Energy Resources Administrator with the state energy efficiency programs, including review of the annual state energy efficiency program plans and also providing staff support (examples: meeting minutes, presentations) and attendance at the state’s energy efficiency council meetings.
  
  

For information regarding the benefits available to State of Rhode Island employees, please visit the Office of Employee Benefits' website at http://www.employeebenefits.ri.gov/.

Also, be advised that a new provision in RI General Law 35-6-1 was enacted requiring direct deposit for all employees. Specific to new hires, the law requires that all employees hired after September 30, 2014 participate in direct deposit. Accordingly, any employee hired after this date will be required to participate in the direct deposit system. At the time the employee is hired, the employee shall identify a financial institution that will serve as a personal depository agency for the employee.

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This position requires that the applicant be a member of the Rhode Island Bar and that the applicant maintain such membership as a condition of employment. Are you currently a member of the RI Bar?

• Yes
• No
• Required Question