Administrative Law Judge

Are you looking for a career that allows you to utilize your legal experience to make a positive difference in the lives of others? The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is seeking a dedicated Administrative Law Judge to join our dynamic team of professionals. This position gives you the opportunity to mete out justice in areas of vital importance to quality of life-water, electric, gas, telecommunications and transportation. Apply today to experience the satisfaction of public service!

As a Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Administrative Law Judge you will serve in a judicial role, working in a dynamic environment providing due process. You will be responsible for hearing and writing decisions on all types of public utility cases that impact the public, including consumer billing and service complaints, applications to provide utility service, utility requests to increase rates, mergers and acquisitions, investigations of rail/highway crossings, and energy efficiency and conservation plans. You may also resolve cases serving as a settlement judge and conduct proceedings involving expert witnesses as well as public witnesses.
Start the next chapter in your career, apply today!

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.
• Telework: Part-time work from home (telework) may be a potential feature of this position. The successful candidate is required to report to the headquarters worksite daily, unless the employee meets eligibility requirements and telework has been approved. Management may discontinue any telework arrangement at any time, for any reason. In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection. If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
  • To be eligible to participate in telework, the employee's alternate (telework) worksite must meet the following requirements:
    • Within a reasonable travel distance of headquarters; and
    • Within the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
  • Please direct all questions regarding reasonable distance and the type of available telework to the PUC Human Resource Office at ra-puchr@pa.gov or 717.787.8714.
• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Salary

• $100,812 - $153,194/year

Qualifications

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Five years of professional experience in the practice of law and presently an attorney in good standing before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, including at least three years in one or a combination of the following varieties of specialized experience:
  • A judge of a court of record with primary responsibility for drafting proposed opinions and orders.
  • The head, member or counsel of a governmental regulatory body holding formal hearings and making or recommending decisions on the basis of the record of such hearings.
  • Experience in a government regulatory body as an examiner, Administrative Law Judge officer or employee presiding over formal hearings and making or recommending decisions on the basis of the records of such hearings.
  • Preparation or presentation of cases at formal hearings conducted by governmental regulatory bodies or court proceedings relating thereto.
  • Preparation and trial of cases in courts of record or the preparation and appeals there from, which evidence skills in the area of regulation with which the AU shall be concerned.
  • Service as a responsible official of a governmental regulatory body, whose duties require him/her to review, analyze, evaluate and recommend action to be taken, and assist in the preparation of opinions by the head (or heads) of the body on decisions or recommended decision on cases made by hearing officers on the record of formal hearings, or render responsible assistance to the head (or heads) of the body in the preparation for, or hearing of cases to be formally heard, cases coming for a formal hearing before the head (or heads) of the body, or in the preparation of decisions by the head or heads of the body of such cases.
  • Teaching Administrative Law, Public Utility Law, Motor Carrier Law, Government Regulation of Business, Securities Regulation, Evidence, Corporations or Taxation in a college or law school.

Other Requirements:

• You must meet the PA residency requirement. For more information on ways to meet PA residency requirements, follow the link and click on Residency.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

How to Apply

• Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position. Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).
• If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
• Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.
• Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

• Completing the application, including all supplemental questions, serves as your exam for this position. No additional exam is required at a test center (also referred to as a written exam).
• Your score is based on the detailed information you provide on your application and in response to the supplemental questions.
• Your score is valid for this specific posting only.
• You must provide complete and accurate information or:
  • your score may be lower than deserved.
  • you may be disqualified.
• You may only apply/test once for this posting.
• Your results will be provided via email.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.employment.pa.gov/Additional Info/Pages/default.aspx and click the Veterans’ Preference tab or contact us at ra-cs-vetpreference@pa.gov.

Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).

If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce. The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania. The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law. All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this short video!

See the total value of your benefits package by exploring our benefits calculator.

Health & Wellness

We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*

Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.

Work/Life Balance
We know there’s more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*

Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.

Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little “extras” that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.

For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visit www.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.

*Eligibility rules apply.