Assistant General Counsel

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility. If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to this classification, please Click here to open the examination bulletin and follow the instructions on “How to apply”.

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy. Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit.

Under the general direction of the General Counsel:

Advocacy II: The Section represents the CPUC’s enforcement divisions and the Public Advocates Office of the California Public Utilities Commission in ratemaking, adjudicatory, and quasi-legislative proceedings before the CPUC. This Section handles ratepayer advocacy matters concerning energy, communications, and water, with a primary focus on applications seeking cost recovery for operational and procurement costs, mergers and acquisitions, communications policy, and applications for construction of electric and natural gas infrastructure. The Section also supports the CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division in audits of electric corporations and generator infrastructure, audits of natural gas operator infrastructure, review of electric corporation compliance with de-energization and wildfire mitigation requirements, investigation of incidents (including wildfires) alleged to have been caused by utility infrastructure, and enforcement actions brought against electric corporations and gas operators for violations of the Public Utilities Code, the CPUC’s General Orders or Decisions, or federal regulations. The Section also supports the CPUC’s Rail Safety Division and enforcement actions brought by the CPUC’s industry divisions.

The Assistant Chief Counsel, Advocacy II, oversees all Legal advocacy work in these areas and will supervise junior and senior staff attorneys and litigation specialist staff working on matters within the Section. Tasks include advising and developing legal strategies; reviewing, verifying, and editing written memoranda and pleadings; and coordinating with the other Legal advocacy Assistant Chief Counsels and client groups. The Assistant Chief Counsel, Advocacy II, is a member of the CPUC’s Commission Enforcement Team, and works with CPUC senior executives and Division Directors in developing the procedures to implement the CPUC’s Enforcement Policy. Under the direction of the General Counsel, this Assistant Chief Counsel will collaborate and coordinate with other Assistant Chief Counsels on management of Legal Division and perform duties as necessary or directed in support of Legal Division to meet its administrative and operational needs.

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You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Salary

• $14,090 - $17,225/month

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements
You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

• ATTORNEY, ASSISTANT CHIEF COUNSEL

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:

• Familiarity with the Public Utilities Code and related statutes and regulations, in particular the Public Utilities Commission’s General Orders related to the construction, operation and maintenance of electric, natural gas, and communications infrastructure.
• Familiarity with energy, telecommunications, water, environmental, rail, or transportation law, regulatory compliance, and civil or criminal law enforcement
• Strong analytical and legal research skill and methods and strong oral and written communication skills.
• Strong civil or administrative litigation experience at any or all stages of litigation, including settlement of complex and highly contested issues.
• Experience working with prosecutors, investigators, court monitors, and enforcement and compliance entities.
• Experience drafting, reviewing and editing various types of legal pleadings concerning complex and highly technical information.
• Strong facilitation, consensus-building, and client relations skills.
• Ability to balance voluminous assignments and manage highly complex caseloads with minimal supervision, all to the highest level of professional standards, under tight deadlines, and to achieve the same from subordinates.
• Experience as a supervisor in the private or government sector, ideally supervising represented employees.
• Ability to manage numerous direct reports with a wide range of skill levels and responsibilities.
• Ability to motivate and focus staff and to build a cooperative, information-sharing working environment.
• Experience with accounting, finance, utility ratemaking, tax matters, corporate and financial restructuring, and/or bankruptcy.
• Demonstrated track record of participation in an organization’s recruitment, retention, and diversity efforts and strategies.

Other Information

Additional Documents

• Job Application Package Checklist
• Duty Statement

Department Information

Legal Division/ Legal/ Advocacy II:

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) is a constitutional agency that regulates electric and natural gas, water, communications, and rail and other transportation services in California. The CPUC has five Commissioners, each appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. It employs economists, engineers, administrative law judges, accountants, lawyers, and safety and transportation specialists.

The Legal Division seeks a permanent, full-time Assistant Chief Counsel (ACC) to lead teams of highly skilled attorneys in investigations and litigation before the CPUC. As part of the management team, the ACC will collaborate with other ACCs to provide effective representation to the Public Advocates Office, the independent arm of the CPUC that advocates on behalf of California consumers for safe, reliable and affordable utility service, and to the CPUC’s enforcement and industry divisions in enforcement matters.

The ACC will handle matters that are highly contentious, concern legal and policy matters of first impression, and that require analysis of highly technical and complex data. The ACC may personally handle the most difficult and sensitive litigation issues under their Section. Additionally, the ACC will be a member of the CPUC’s Enforcement Team and advise the CPUC’s Safety and Enforcement Division on regulated entities’ compliance with federal and state infrastructure safety statutes and regulations.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov

Special Requirements

• The position(s) require(s) a(n) State Bar License. You will be required to provide a copy of your license prior to being hired.

Prepare and submit a response for each question below. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored. All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. The SOQ must be no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than three pages.

Please write your SOQ to address the following four questions:

1. Describe, with specificity, your experience managing/leading teams of litigation attorneys and representing diverse client groups with differing objectives and litigation strategies in litigation.
2. Describe, with specificity, your experience working with senior decisionmakers/management, opposing counsel, state agencies, and local law enforcement.
3. Describe, with specificity, your experience analysing complex legal and technical issues and newly enacted legislation and advising clients on a range of options and strategies in response to those issues and/or legislation under tight deadlines.
4. Describe, with specificity, your experience in public utility regulation and law and policy, administrative agency.

   experience, compliance or enforcement, or any other relevant experience you've had in public service.

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see the Work4CA guide.

It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.jobs.ca.gov

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.

If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma. An official transcript will be required prior to appointment.

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency by the application deadline.
Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Employment information on the STD 678 state application MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors. Resumes, or referring to resumes, will not be accepted in place of the completed STD 678. Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 will not be considered.

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 6/23/2025

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process.Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How to Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Public Utilities Commission
N/A
Attn: Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Public Utilities Commission
N/A
Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102
Monday to Friday Except Holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

• Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
• Resume is required and must be included.
• Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see “Special Requirements” for instructions.

Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Working Conditions

This is a statewide recruitment. This position can be filled in the following locations: San Francisco, Sacramento, or Los Angeles.

Positions at the CPUC may be eligible for telework under Government Code 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California, and subject to meeting the telework eligibility criteria. Telework Policy CalHR

Contact Information

The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position or application process.

Department Website:http://www.cpuc.ca.gov

Hiring Unit Contact:
Cindy Philapil
(415) 703-2201
cindy.philapil@cpuc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 894-5799
ReasonableAccomodation@cpuc.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device. Benefits

Benefits Summary