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The State of Connecticut, Office of Consumer Counsel (OCC) has an exciting opportunity for a Legal and Regulatory Director (Agency Legal Director).

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU:

  • Visit our new State Employee Benefits Overview page!
  • Professional growth and development opportunities
  • A healthy work/life balance!
  • Thirteen (13) paid holidays each calendar year. Employees who are requested to work as part of a regular schedule on a “premium” holiday (New Year’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day) shall be paid at the rate of time and one-half for hours worked in addition to regular pay for the day.

Position Highlights

The Legal & Regulatory Director will play a critical role in ensuring affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy and water, and telecommunication and broadband services in the state of Connecticut. Reporting to the Consumer Counsel, the Legal & Regulatory Director will have the opportunity to supervise an excellent team of attorneys, assist in coordination of the work of OCC’ technical staff, and oversee and participate in cases in both administrative and judicial settings, as well as performing wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.

The Legal & Regulatory Director will assist the Consumer Counsel with policy development on matters addressed by the office, including but not limited to utility regulatory reform, grid modernization, electrification, energy affordability and water quality and service. This role may include:

  • In coordination with the Consumer Counsel, direct staff and operations of the agency's legal and technical divisions, including a team of high-performing attorneys and accountants, to ensure coordinated strategy in rate cases, other PURA proceedings and litigation;
  • Performing wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, as well as contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.
  • Coordinate with legal and technical staff on formulating OCC regulatory priorities and objectives and the development of OCC positions on state and federal policies and law;
  • Model and facilitate effective and open communication throughout the agency;
  • Partner with the Consumer Counsel and Supervisor of Technical Analysis on high level organizational management and budget setting;
  • In coordination with the Consumer Counsel, manage departmental structures, individual workplans, and evaluation processes; support individual lawyers’ professional development;
  • Direct and conduct research on legal issues or relating to the agency’s regulatory and legislative work;
  • In coordination with legal team, examine potential litigation and appeals and make recommendations to Consumer Counsel;
  • Draft and review staff attorney drafts of legal memoranda, briefs, legal opinion letters, and regulatory filings;
  • Participate in the drafting and review of all proposed legislation, regulations, agency policies, contracts and agreements;
  • Perform wide ranging general counsel duties regarding legislation and regulations, as well as contracting, litigation, ethics, employment and open records matters.
  • Manage or oversee responses to FOIA requests for the agency;
  • Monitor Agency activities to ensure that they confirm with policy, procedures, regulations, legislation and state and federal laws;
  • Testify before legislative committee and perform related legislative duties;
  • Perform other related duties as needed.
  • Occasional travel and participation in events outside regular work hours may be required.

About Us

The OCC is a small, independent state agency that acts as the advocate for consumer interests in matters which may affect Connecticut consumers relating to electricity, natural gas, water, and telecommunications. OCC plays a critical role in ensuring that the transition to cleaner power generation benefits consumers, and supports equitable, affordable access to energy, water and telecommunications services.

The OCC is a statutory party to all proceedings before the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) and is authorized to appear and participate in any regulatory or judicial proceedings, federal or state, in which the interests of Connecticut utility consumers may be involved. OCC also participates actively in proceedings before federal agencies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission ("FERC") and the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"), advocates on behalf of consumer interests in state and federal courts. OCC also promotes the interests of consumers at the Connecticut legislature and in regional and national forums, including elevating consumer interests in the deployment of state and federal funding and programs.

The OCC’s work covers a wide range of topics, including:

  • Wholesale and retail electric and gas markets and rates
  • Energy infrastructure (e.g., electric transmission lines, non-wires alternatives,)
  • Renewable energy, distributed generation, and grid modernization
  • Energy efficiency and demand response
  • Water rates, infrastructure, and resource planning
  • Utility service quality and storm response
  • Electric vehicles and energy storage
  • Telecommunications service, service quality, and infrastructure, broadband access, and telecommunications policy.