Attorney

Min 2 yrs required

Full-time

No

**Attorney - (23140460)**

Are you looking for an opportunity to join a small but innovative state agency that serves the citizens of Montana extraordinarily well? The Montana Department of Public Service Regulation (DPSR) is looking for an attorney to join our team and aid in exercising regulatory oversight of some of the largest essential industries in Montana. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with a small agency in the beautiful capital city of Helena, Montana, as well as carefully examine and learn about the underlying technical and financial systems of utilities regulated by the Commission.

**Responsibilities:**

- Represents the Commission before state and federal courts in a variety of litigation matters including high-profile cases, or cases involving significant liability exposure.
- Conducts investigations, prepares reports, and advises the Commission as well as its staff on the results of investigations.
- Advises the Commission on complex contested case proceedings across multiple fields of law within the Commission’s jurisdiction.
- Acts as a hearing examiner in contested case proceedings, or prepare appropriate findings of fact, conclusions of law, and proposed orders for the Commission.
- Appears before various state and federal legislative and administrative bodies to represent the Commission’s interests in rulemaking and legislative proceedings.
- Assists drafting and editing legislation and administrative rules.
- Formulates and implements federal and state legislative policies.
- Monitors and reports on state and federal legislative enactments.
- Analyzes, interprets, and advises Commissioners and regulatory staff about new laws and issues of first impression.
- Assists with and advises on responses to public records requests.
- Advises on the application of Montana’s open meeting laws.
- Advises Commissioners and communications staff on interactions with members of the local, state, and regional press.
- Prepares evidence, exhibits, and other legal documents, and interviews parties, witnesses, and experts necessary to prepare for litigation.
- Attends hearings, listening sessions, and investigative audits.

**Compensation**

The salary range for this position is $88,201 - $100,000 depending on qualifications. In addition, the PSC will reward your contributions to the State with a generous benefits package including, but not limited to:

- Work/life balance including the ability to earn comp time (additional paid leave earned for each hour worked over 40 per week)
- Medical, dental, and vision coverage
- A constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan including disability and death benefits with the state contributing % of salary on your behalf and the ability to contribute to a supplemental deferred compensation program
- Generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
- Pre-tax flexibility spending accounts
- A vibrant Employee Assistance Program
- Employment that may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness.

**About the Organization**

The Montana Department of Public Service Regulation (DPSR) is a small state agency with a big impact. We are headed by 5 elected commissioners (the Commission) representing every region of beautiful Montana. Commonly referred to as the Public Service Commission (PSC), our agency is staffed by a team of approximately 30 professionals in the Legal, Regulatory, and Administrative Services Divisions. The PSC is responsible for supervising monopolistic industries within Montana to ensure fair prices, responsible business practices, and sustainable, reliable service for the Montana customers who rely upon them. Regulated industries currently include privately held power, water, sewer, telecommunications, sanitation, and certain commercial transportation providers. The PSC also plays a vital role in railway and pipeline safety. The agency has a clear and well-defined strategic plan to enhance our operations, work environment, and value to the public. Our team includes seasoned leaders with expertise and institutional knowledge coupled with newly elected commissioners with innovative ideas for the organization.

Employees enjoy a personable work environment. Staff members are encouraged to cross-train with other positions, providing an opportunity for diversified professional experiences and advancement. The PSC provides ample parking in a private parking lot immediately adjacent to our ground-floor office space, and the building is conveniently located between two of Helena’s least congested thoroughfares -- making the drive, walk or ride to work quick and easy.

**About the Community - Helena**

Helena is located in Lewis and Clark County, situated less than three hours from Yellowstone National Park and just over three hours from Glacier National Park. Helena is both the capital of Montana and the county seat for Lewis and Clark County. Helena is known as the Queen City of the Rockies and has a rich history originating from a gold rush boom that fueled the development of the beautifully preserved Victorian architecture that makes up the city’s historic district. Helena’s community life in the City is abundant and alive with theaters, museums, fairs, rodeos, and art centers. The Helena area has a robust public school system, and is proudly home to Carroll College, a private liberal arts institution and Helena College, a two-year public satellite location of the University of Montana.

Being ideally located for outdoor enthusiasts near the wide Missouri River and the rugged Rocky Mountains, Helena provides opportunities for hunting, fishing, swimming, camping, water-skiing, and boating. Downtown Helena offers access to the second largest city park, second to New York’s Central Park, with 1738 acres of open and undeveloped parkland, including

Medical, dental, and vision coverage; constitutionally guaranteed retirement plan; generous paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; pre-tax flexibility spending accounts; vibrant Employee Assistance Program; student loan forgiveness

Representing the Commission before state and federal courts, conducting investigations, preparing reports, advising the Commission, acting as a hearing examiner, appearing before legislative and administrative bodies, drafting and editing legislation and rules, formulating and implementing federal and state legislative policies, analyzing and interpreting new laws, advising on the application of Montana's open meeting laws, preparing evidence and exhibits, interviewing parties and witnesses, attending hearings and investigative audits

Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school

Submit a cover letter, two-page resume, and writing sample to

Qualification and Experience Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school

Legal