General Counsel

This position serves as the General Counsel, in the Office of the General Counsel, Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (Commission). The mission of the Commission is to serve the public interest by ensuring that financially healthy utility companies provide safe, reliable, and quality utility services at reasonable rates for District of Columbia customers while fostering grid modernization, conservation of natural resources, preservation of environmental quality, and advancement of the District’s climate policy commitments. The General Counsel serves at the pleasure of the Commission, the “Commission” is composed of the three Commissioners who act by majority vote. The incumbent is responsible for planning, directing, coordinating, and managing the legal functions and responsibilities of the Commission. Supervises and coordinates the legal staff activities to carry out the policies and directives of the Commission, represents the Commission before various courts, including D.C. Court of Appeals; Council of the District of Columbia; Congress; and advises the Commission in all regulatory and budget matters.

The Commission offers a competitive salary range, a generous travel stipend for public transportation, as well as an attractive benefits package. The Commission’s benefits package encompasses a flexible menu of comprehensive benefits, including health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance options, as well as a strong set of portable retirement benefit and savings options. The Commission also offers attractive vacation and sick leave time, as well as paid holidays—consistent with District government provisions.

The Commission also seeks to optimize work-life balance through an attractive set of work schedule options, including teleworking options, and alternative work schedules. As an organization dedicated to professional development and learning, the Commission encourages staff to participate in regulatory and industry association activities, as well as educational and professional training. Tuition reimbursement may also be available. The ideal candidate is outgoing and is able to participate in the evolving work of the department.

Duties And Responsibilities

Serves as the legal counsel and advisor to the Chairperson and Commissioners. Supervises the Deputy General Counsel and senior Attorney Advisors in the Office of the General Counsel. Plans, delegates and supervises all phases of public utility rate cases. Reviews legal documents and relevant case law, regulations, and other issuances to determine whether execution or non-execution of proposed actions is legally sufficient and appropriate as to form. The incumbent provides statements of analyses; reasons for conclusions; and drafts proposed language necessary to effectuate objectives. Supervises all projects, cases, assignments, research, etc. of the attorneys and staff in the Office of the General Counsel. Reviews all submissions of staff and contractors before forwarding to the Commissioners. Develops and maintains performance evaluation standards for all staff in the Office of the General Counsel. Provides for the training and development of staff so that they are able to meet the performance evaluation standards set for the staff of the Office of the General Counsel.

Reviews and analyzes records of hearings, including briefs filed, exceptions taken, rulings made, tentative decisions, reports of findings of facts, and conclusions of law. Prepares and files appropriate responses with respect to such matters. As appropriate, during the course of a proceeding, the incumbent confers with officials of other District government agencies, boards, commissions, public utility companies, and the media on actions taken during and at the conclusion of proceedings. The incumbent assists other offices of the Commission in litigation resulting from matters handled by the Commission. The incumbent must prepare periodic summaries and status reports of assigned matters. Drafts testimony and testifies on behalf of the Commission in hearings before the Council, Congress, and various other government bodies. Prepares, reviews, and presents responses to Council’s interrogatories. Attends budget hearings and provides expert advice.

Qualifications And Education

The incumbent must have a law degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school and must have at least one (1) year of related specialized experience at or equivalent to either LA-0905-15 or LX-0905-01 grade levels in the District of Columbia government service. Specialized experience is experience which is directly related to the position and has equipped the individual with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position. To be creditable, at least one (1) year of specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression.

Specialized experience is work as an attorney at a senior level. This entails substantive experience in providing legal advice on complex and sensitive issues to high-level executives and officials in a government agency or other entity. It may also involve managing or supervising a legal team.

Licenses and Certifications

Must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia or have the ability to waive in and be admitted within 360 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

Working Conditions/Environment

The work is performed in an office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday

Promotion Potential: No known promotion potential

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Position Designation: This position does not have a suitability designation.

Residency Requirement: If the position you are applying for is in the in the Excepted Service, Executive Service, Senior Executive Attorney Service, positions in the Legal Service of the Council for the District of Columbia, and new employees hired or new re-hires in the Career, Management Supervisory, or Educational Service with a starting annual salary of $150,000 or more, you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.