Job Description
Maximum Salary Amended August 25, 2023 to $9,167.00
Work with us and make a difference in Texas!
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.
We are committed to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure.
Thank you for your interest in employment with the Public Utility Commission of Texas. We are committed to the recruitment and promotion of a character-driven, competent, productive and diverse workforce. Our employees come from a broad range of professional backgrounds, from attorneys and engineers to administrative support staff, united by their passion to be accountable to the people of Texas and provide equitable, efficient, and effective regulation in an increasingly competitive environment.
We understand that motivated, knowledgeable staff are essential for the successful completion of our vital work. If you’re ready to join our efforts to serve our fellow Texans by helping electric, water, sewer and telecom utilities attain and maintain compliance, we would love to hear from you. Working at the PUC will not only broaden your professional horizons, it will also make you part of a highly motivated, technically proficient and warmly collegial team of professionals. Apply today!
The BENEFITS of working at the PUC
In addition to an affirming work environment and a family-oriented culture, we offer an array of attractive benefits to our employees. A summary of benefits can be found at https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits
DIVISION – MARKET ANALYSIS
POSITION TYPE – This is a hybrid position and is eligible for telecommuting up to three (3) days a week
Market Analysis monitors compliance with rules relating to the operation of the retail and wholesale electricity markets with the ERCOT power region to ensure well-functioning markets, efficient prices, adequate generation capacity and customer protections.
The division also makes recommendations regarding certification and registration of retail electric providers and aggregators, as well as telecommunication providers; makes recommendations regarding the designation of certain telecommunications providers as an eligible telecommunications carrier and an eligible telecommunications provider that allow the providers to receive support from the federal universal service fund and the Texas universal service fund.
Market Analysis supports the Commission’s participation in a variety of proceedings before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to protect the interests of Texas Electric ratepayers and stakeholders. It also supports the Commission’s participation in the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) and Mid-Continent Independent System Operation (MISO) activities to protect the interests of Texas ratepayers located in the non-ERCOT areas of Texas.
Market Analysis is seeking an Attorney who has a desire to work in the utility regulatory industry, with a strong initiative, and would like to expand their knowledge, skills and experience performing routine to highly complex professional legal work for the Market Analysis Division. Primary duties involve the practice of administrative law including, but not limited to, analyzing complex issues related to energy markets and developing legal opinions, participating in contested case proceedings, projects, rulemakings, legislative analysis, and related policy-development activities. Work involves extensive contact with market economists and engineers, industry representatives, and other professional staff.
SALARY RANGE
Salary commensurate with Qualifications
Attorney I
Attorney II
Attorney III
Starting Salary
$73,500.00
$84,000.00
$94,500.00
Max Salary
$82,908.00
$94,920.00
$108,672.00
Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will have the following required minimum qualifications:
Attorney I
Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree and licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas.
Attorney II
Graduation from an accredited law school with LLB or JD degree; licensed with the State Bar of Texas and eligible to practice law in Texas; and a minimum of two (2) years of legal work experience as a licensed attorney.
Attorney III
Graduation from an accredited law school with 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 legal work experience as a licensed attorney, preferably in utility regulation or administrative law.
Preferred Qualifications:
Undergraduate or graduate degree in economics, engineering, business administration or public policy.
Experience relating to electric utilities.
Litigation or administrative law experience as a licensed attorney.
Experience or familiarity with RTO/ISO/FERC/NERC/TRE/EPA rules and/or processes.
Experience or familiarity with ERCOT/SPP/MISO/WECC retail and/or wholesale electric markets.
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 Occupational Crosswalk – Attorney
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 will be 9.5% less than the offered salary.
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
Applications must contain complete job histories, which includes:
- Job title
- Dates of employment
- Name of employer
- Supervisor’s name and phone number
- Description of duties performed that demonstrates how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position applying for
Note: Resumes do not take the place of this required information and applications with “See attached” or “See resume” will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application.
The Division Director is requesting the following documents be submitted with the State of Texas CAPPS Application:
- Resume
- Official or Unofficial Law School Transcripts (applicants applying for the Attorney I or Attorney II only)
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
WORK IN TEXAS APPLICANTS
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.
If applying through Work In Texas (WIT) you will also need to complete the supplemental questions and forms to be considered for this posting. An automated email from the CAPPS State of Texas Talent Management System will be sent to your email on file in WIT with additional instructions.
REMARKS
- All information provided in connection with an application for employment must be true and complete, and any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may be grounds for refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
- Salary commensurate with qualifications.
- The salary of an ERS Retiree or non-contributing member may be 9.5% less than the recommended salary.
- If required for position, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified on the selected candidate through either the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas.
- A satisfactory driving record is required for driving a state or personal vehicle to conduct agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving record evaluated in accordance with the Commission’s Traffic Safety policy.
- For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify proof of Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Any males born after January 1, 1960 who are not registered will need to provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
- The Public Utility Commission participates in E-Verify and will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
- The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUC employees’ investments, professional activities, and relationships with regard to “public utilities,” as defined by Texas Utilities Code § 11.004. Most PUC employees cannot be an officer, employee, or consultant of a “trade association,” and may not be married to an officer, manager, or paid consultant of a “trade association.” (See Tex. Util. Code § 12.153.) The trade associations to which this restriction apply are defined in Texas Utilities Code § 11.003(21), and are limited to electric or telecommunications industry-related associations. (The trade association restrictions do not apply to employees who are eligible for overtime under the Fair Labor Standards Act.)
- PUC employees are prohibited from having a pecuniary interest in a public utility, a public utility affiliate, or “a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.” (Tex. Util. Code § 12.154(a)(1).) A pecuniary interest is a financial interest and includes investments, such as ownership or stock holdings, or interest as an officer, director, partner, employee, attorney, or consultant. However, it does not include interests “held indirectly by ownership of an interest in a retirement system, institution, or fund that in the normal course of business invests in diverse securities independently” of your control. (Tex. Util. Code § 12.154(g).)
- The PUC has a Post-Employment Restriction – details furnished upon request.
- The PUC is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and recruits, hires, trains, and promotes into all job levels the most qualified persons without regard to race, color, sex, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, mental or physical disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, or participation in protected activity. Female and minority applicants are encouraged to apply.