PUCT, Administrative Law Judge (Admin Law Judge I - III)

The Public Utility Commission of Texas: Your Gateway to a Fulfilling Career!

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

Applications must contain a complete job history, detailing:

• Job title

• Dates of employment

• Name of employer

• Supervisor's name and phone number

• Description of duties performed, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position applying for

Important: Resumes do not replace this required information. Applications stating, "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted. The experience listed on your resume must match the details on the CAPPS State of Texas Application. Discrepancies will result in an incomplete application.

Required Documents

• Letter of Interest

• Resume

• Official or Unofficial Law Transcripts

The hiring manager has requested the above document(s) be submitted with the CAPPS State of Texas Application To submit a resume, you must upload it to your application. When submitting your documents, make sure to mark them as “relevant.”

Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Applicant Release Form Website Link

To apply for the position, it is best to go to the CAPPS State of Texas Talent Management System to submit your application by going to https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl and select our agency, Public Utility Commission of Texas, from the "Company/Agency" list.

The Public Utility Commission regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation and offering customer assistance in resolving customer complaints.

Join a Team Dedicated to Public Service

Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of Texans? We are committed to building a highly skilled workforce. Our team boasts a wide range of expertise, from legal and engineering professionals to dedicated administrative staff. What unites us is our dedication to serving the public and our commitment to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure

Make a Difference with Us

We recognize the importance of motivated and knowledgeable staff to accomplish our critical mission. If you're eager to contribute to ensuring compliance within the electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, we want to hear from you! A career at the PUC will not only expand your professional horizons but also make you part of a highly motivated, technically skilled, and supportive team environment.

DIVISION – OFFICE OF POLICY AND DOCKET MANAGEMENT

SECTION - DOCKET MANAGMENT

The Office of Policy and Docket Management division (OPDM) supports of the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Commissioners, including when they act collectively as the Commission. OPDM is composed of three sections that work cooperatively to support the Commission’s decision-making and adjudicatory responsibilities.

The Commission Advising is made up primarily of attorneys who advise the Commissioners and serve as their legal advisors in contested cases. Advisors work directly with the Commissioners on a regular basis, supporting legal research, analysis and decision-making on the complex and high-impact matters. This section works closely with one another and their reviewers to research, draft, and prepare written materials for, and on behalf of, the Commission.

The Docket Management section consists of administrative law judges (ALJs) and legal assistants who oversee and guide the processing of contested cases. ALJs and legal assistants work collaboratively on the issuance of orders and proposals for decisions across a wide range of proceedings. The professionals in this section develop deep expertise in administrative law and agency processes.

The Administrative and Project Services section (APS) includes legal secretaries and project management staff who provide essential administrative support to OPDM and the Commissioners. APS staff assist with critical tasks such as filings and coordination and help ensure the agency’s compliance with statutory and procedural requirements, including those under the Open Meetings Act.

Looking to take the next step in your career? Ready to apply your legal experience in a complex regulatory environment?

Docket Management has an opportunity for a legal professional to serve as an Administrative Law Judge. Conducting formal administrative hearings in support of the Commission’s adjudicative process. This position presides over the contested and uncontested cases, manages hearing procedures and schedules, rules on motions and evidentiary matters, and prepares proposals for decision and final orders in matters involving electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, ensuring fair, impartial, and timely resolution of these matters.

This is a great opportunity for a legal professional seeking to apply legal expertise in an adjudicative role within a regulatory environment.

SALARY RANGE

Salary commensurate with qualifications. In addition to their offered salary, newly hired attorneys will receive a 6% legislatively authorized salary increase upon hire.

The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications.

Administrative Law Judge I

Graduation from an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree; licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of three (3) years’ general legal experience as a licensed attorney.

Administrative Law Judge II

Graduation from an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree; licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of three (3) years’ experience as an administrative law judge or three (3) years’ experience litigating contested case hearings.

Administrative Law Judge III

Graduation from an accredited law school with an LLB or JD degree; licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of six (6) years’ experience as an administrative law judge or six (6) years’ experience litigating contested case hearings.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Undergraduate degree in government, engineering, finance, accounting, economics, or related field.

• Experience as an administrative law judge.

• Experience in the practice of utility regulation or administrative law.

WORK SCHEDULE

The PUCT operates on a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Employees may request an alternative work schedule in accordance with the PUCT's Alternative Work Schedule Policy. Approval of such requests, including any form of telecommuting, is at management's discretion and based on the business needs of the agency and the requirements of the position.

New hires become eligible to telecommute with supervisor approval after completing 30 to 90 days of employment. Supervisors may require new hires to report to the office more frequently if necessary to support training, performance, or business needs.

VETERAN’S PREFERENCE

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or additional duties that fall in the fields listed in the below link who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.

The MOS codes applicable to this position can be accessed at:

Military Crosswalk for Administrative Law Judge

If you qualify for a Veteran Employment Preference, it is mandatory that you provide the required documentation with your State of Texas Application. Documentation must be provided before a Veteran Preference can be granted. Required documentation is as follows: Veteran – DD Form 214; Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who has not remarried – Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300; Orphan of a Veteran who was killed during active duty – Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300.

A detailed job description can be viewed on our website:

https://puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Jobs

Salary commensurate with qualifications. The salary of an ERS Retiree or non-contributing member may be 6% less than the recommended salary.

REMARKS

• Due to the volume applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Non-selection notifications will be sent interviewed candidates following the hiring decision.

• All information provided in connection with an employment application must be accurate and complete. Any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may result in refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.

• If the position requires it, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified through the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas for the selected candidate.

• A satisfactory driving record is necessary for driving a state or personal vehicle for agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving records evaluated according to the Commission’s Traffic Safety policy.

• For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Males born after January 1, 1960, who are not registered must provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.

• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) participates in the EVerify+ system to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.

• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of the EVerify+ employment eligibility process.

• The PUCT does not have the ability to sponsor employees for work authorization and does not have a formal training program to participate in the STEM OPT extension program sponsored through U.S. Universities.

• Your application for a position with access to sensitive systems, confidential records, or information related to critical infrastructure facilities may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.14031 and Texas Utilities Code § 12.107 after a conditional offer of employment is made. Your consent for this criminal background check will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.

• The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUCT employees’ investments, professional activities, and relationships with public utilities, with some limited exceptions. PUCT employees are also prohibited from having a financial interest in a public utility, an affiliate of a public utility, and a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.

• The PUCT has a Post-Employment Restriction – details furnished upon request.

• The PUCT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.

INTERNAL APPLICANT ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS

• Newly hired employees must successfully complete their six-month probationary period and have a satisfactory performance review on file before becoming eligible to apply for other positions within the PUCT.

• Employees who transfer to a new position or division must remain in their new role for at least six months and have a satisfactory performance review before applying for another position within the PUCT.

• Employees are not eligible to apply for positions within their classification series in their current division. This restriction does not apply for supervisory positions within the same classification series. Advancement within a classification series in the same division occurs through the promotional process based on demonstrated performance at the high level.