Staff Attorney I (Public Utilities)

Recruitment Information

This posting is for the State of Hawaii, Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Division of Consumer Advocacy.

The position is located on Oahu (Downtown Honolulu).

Salary commensurate with education and experience.

If you have any questions regarding this non-civil service exempt position, please send an email to consumeradvocate@dcca.hawaii.gov.

The State Recruiting Office will refer all inquiries regarding the exempt position to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Duties Summary

The position is within the Division of Consumer Advocacy (“Division” or Consumer Advocate”), Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs. The Consumer Advocate is tasked with representing, protecting, and advancing the interests of consumers of utility (i.e., electricity, telecommunications, gas, private water and sewer) and transportation (i.e., motor and water carrier transportation) services companies that have been certificated by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“Commission” or “PUC”) to serve customers in Hawaii. Pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes § 269-51 and Hawaii Administrative Rules § 16-601-62, the Consumer Advocate is, ex officio, a party to any proceeding before the Commission and must represent, protect, and advance the interests of all consumers, including small businesses, of utility services. In order to carry out this mandate, the Division plans, organizes, directs, and coordinates the observance of laws regulating the conduct and management of all franchised or certified public service companies operating in the State of Hawaii. The Division performs economic, financial, and engineering analyses of applications filed by public utilities and transportation companies that serve Hawaii and whose regulation falls within the jurisdiction of the Commission or relevant federal agencies, such as the Federal Communications Commission.

This position is responsible for providing basic legal services to the Division, its employees, officers, and consultants in carrying out its functions and responsibilities to represent, protect, and advance the interests of consumers of utility and transportation services on a statewide basis. In general, the position assists the Division in its review and analysis of matters pending before the regulatory bodies (e.g., the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Communications Commission, etc.) and recommends appropriate action for the Division’s consideration, reviews and assists in confirming that regulated companies are complying with relevant laws and rules, assists in the review of rules and regulations proposed by the regulatory agencies, prepares for and appears in evidentiary hearings as co-counsel, and assists in the preparation of legislative proposals relating to public utilities, transportation companies, the Division, or related matters, all subject to the supervision and review by the Supervising Attorney.

Minimum Qualification Requirements

Education: Possession of a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited college or university.

Experience: No previous legal practice experience required. However, preferred if any previous experience as a licensed attorney or other legal professional practicing in civil litigation, and with some experience practicing as an attorney in one or more of the following areas: development of policies, procedures and legal forms related to utility regulation law; legal research and writing; review of and drafting of legislation; or review of new laws and impact on existing laws.

Knowledge: Due to the technical nature of the work to be performed by the attorney, it is desirable that the attorney has an educational background or work experience involving the disciplines of accounting, finance, engineering, economics, or a business-related discipline. Alternatively, the attorney should exhibit a strong desire to acquire a working knowledge of these disciplines. The incumbent is expected to become familiar with: principles of public utility and transportation regulation; applicable Federal and State laws; the Commission practices and procedures; Commission’s rules, general orders, and decision and orders; relevant legislative processes; and, comprehensive research and analytical techniques.

Skills/Abilities: Ability to manage work independently once assigned. Ability to interpret and apply public utility laws and conduct complex research, subject to assistance from and guidance by the supervisor. Ability and skill to develop recommendations for the Division’s consideration with sound reasoning to support the recommendations. Ability to engage in multitasking to ensure that the Division makes timely filings before regulatory agencies on different matters. Excellent oral and written communication skills required. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships within and outside of the Division.

Legal Authorization to Work Requirement: The State of Hawaii requires all persons seeking employment with the government of the State shall be citizens, nationals, or permanent resident aliens of the United States, or eligible under federal law for unrestricted employment in the United States.

Other Information

The position is exempt from the civil service and considered temporary in nature. Therefore, if you are appointed to the position, your employment will be considered to be "at will," which means that you may be discharged from your employment at the prerogative of the department head or designee at any time.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please complete and submit an Application for Non-Civil Service Appointment (HRD 278). Applications can be found at https://cca.hawaii.gov/jobs/

Please email resume and application to consumeradvocate@dcca.hawaii.gov

NOTE: The State Recruiting Office will refer you to the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs regarding the exempt position.

Work Location: In person