DIVISION LEGAL

About the Legal Division

The Legal Division represents the public interest by advocating for Commission staff in contested cases before the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT). The division provides legal analysis, case strategy, and litigation support in matters involving electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities. In addition, the Legal Division offers legal and policy guidance to agency staff and the Commissioners, supports rulemaking and regulatory initiatives, and helps ensure the Commission's actions are legally sound and consistent with state and federal law.

Ready to take the next step in your legal leadership career? Bring your legal expertise and leadership experience to the Public Utility Commission of Texas.

The PUCT is seeking an accomplished attorney and proven leader to serve as the Division Director in the Legal Division. This is an opportunity to lead a talented team of attorneys working at the intersection of law, public policy, and utility regulation while providing strategic direction on complex legal and regulatory matters that support the Commission's responsibilities and policy objectives.

The Division Directors provides strategic leadership for the Legal Division, oversees complex litigation and regulatory matters, and works closely with agency leadership and senior leaders across the agency's regulatory divisions. The Director will also play a critical role in developing Managing attorneys and legal staff, establishing clear expectations and accountability, and fostering a collaborative, professional, and highperforming legal organization.

The ideal candidate is an accomplished attorney and confident, collaborative leader who can balance legal strategy with strong organizational leadership. They will bring sound judgement, meaningful litigation experience, and the ability to navigate complex and highimpact legal matters while building strong working relationships across the agency. Just as importantly, they will be committed to developing managers and attorneys, setting clear expectations, encouraging accountability, and creating an environment where legal professionals can grow and perform at their best.

If you are ready to lead a legal team whose work directly supports decisions affecting Texas utilities and the millions of Texans they serve, we encourage you to apply.

The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications. Applicants must meet all the required minimum qualifications to be considered for this position.

• Graduation from an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor (JD) or LLB degree;
• Licensed with the State Bar of Texas and in good standing;
• Eight years of progressively responsible experience practicing law in administrative law, utility regulation, or other regulatory legal matters;
• A minimum of three years of litigation experience, legal research and analysis, preparation of pleadings and briefs, and representation in hearings, trials, or other contested proceedings; and
• Experience in management and program direction, including oversight of staff, operations, and complex regulatory or legal programs.

Preferred Qualifications

The ideal candidate will also possess one or more of the following preferred qualifications:

• Experience serving as lead or senior counsel in complex administrative, utility, or other governmental entity in contested proceedings, hearings, trials, appeals, or judicial review.
• Experience advising executive leadership, commissioners, governing boards, or other senior officials on complex legal, regulatory, and policy matters; and
• Experience leading, mentoring, and developing attorneys and staff in a legal or regulatory environment.

WORK SCHEDULE

The PUCT operates on a standard work schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Employees may request an alternative work schedule in accordance with the PUCT's Alternative Work Schedule Policy. Approval of such requests is based on business needs and management discretion and is not guaranteed.

Newly hired employees are required to complete a waiting period before becoming eligible to telecommute. After 30 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to one day per week. After 90 days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to two days per week. Supervisors may require new hires to report to the office more frequently if necessary to support training, performance, or business needs.

Management staff are required to report to the office a minimum of three days per week and may telecommute up to two days per week in accordance with the PUCT's Alternative Work Schedule Policy.

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 Crosswalk for Legal Division Director

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

Starting salary will be determined based on the selected candidate's qualifications and experience within the advertised salary range. The salary of an ERS retiree or noncontributing member may be 6% less than the recommended salary.

REMARKS

• Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. The timing of application review and interviews may vary based on the needs of the agency and the recruitment process.
• All information provided in connection with an employment application must be accurate and complete. Any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may result in refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
• If the position requires it, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified through the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas for the selected candidate.
• A satisfactory driving record is necessary for driving a state or personal vehicle for agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving records evaluated according to the Commission's Traffic Safety policy.
• For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Males born after January 1, 1960, who are not registered must provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
• The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) participates in the EVerify+ system to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of the EVerify+ employment eligibility process.
• The PUCT does not have the ability to sponsor employees for work authorization and does not have a formal training program to participate in the STEM OPT extension program sponsored through U.S. Universities.
• Your application for a position with access to sensitive systems, confidential records, or information related to critical infrastructure facilities may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to Texas Government Code 411.14031 and Texas Utilities Code 12.107 after a conditional offer of employment is made. Your consent for this criminal background check will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.
• The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUCT employees' investments, professional activities, and relationships with public utilities, with some limited exceptions. PUCT employees are also prohibited from having a financial interest in a public utility, an affiliate of a public utility, and a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.
• The PUCT has a PostEmployment Restriction details furnished upon request.