Utility Reform Network

Job Summary:
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) seeks an experienced Staff Attorney to join its team of high-impact energy regulatory consumer advocates practicing primarily before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). TURN’s Energy Team advances the clean energy transition, with a focus on bill affordability and racial and economic equity, by representing the interests of residential utility customers in California’s regulation of investor-owned utility companies. A respected consumer voice for 50 years, TURN is successful through its combined talent of attorneys, policy analysts, economists, engineers, and community organizing professionals. A strong applicant communicates effectively (written and oral) with all levels throughout the organization and the public, is committed to economic and racial justice, is a proactive and creative problem solver, has a background in energy utility regulation, and is committed to holding energy providers accountable, advancing clean energy, and promoting safe utility service at affordable rates.Supervisory Responsibilities:None
Duties/Responsibilities:

• A TURN attorney’s primary focus is representing residential utility customers in CPUC proceedings.  Attorneys will:
  • Review CPUC filings and develop case strategy;
  • Draft and file timely legal pleadings;
  • Conduct legal and policy research utilizing the CPUC website and other online sources;
  • Draft, review, and utilize discovery;
  • Direct the work of expert consultants and witnesses;
  • Appear in administrative hearings and conduct witness cross-examination;
  • Participate in settlement discussions;
  • Lobby CPUC decision-makers; and
  • Build coalitions with other consumer and community groups.
• A TURN attorney can expect to participate in a range of CPUC proceedings that support its mission, including dockets considering:
  • Reasonable infrastructure investments for electric and natural gas utility services and utility accountability for investments in infrastructure, particularly for safety and reliability;
  • Equitable and effective clean energy policies and utility accountability for clean energy expenditures;
  • Equitable funding of utility expenditures;
  • Reasonable and affordable rates for residential electric and natural gas utility services, including development of policies and rules enabling access to essential utility services for low-income households, communities of color, immigrants, and rural communities.
• Experienced TURN Attorneys have primary responsibility for managing their caseload and may be responsible for overseeing the work of junior attorneys.

• Additional Job Responsibilities:
  • All Energy Team members participate in regular team meetings to discuss key policy developments, forge alignment between TURN’s legal, organizing, and communications efforts and develop overall regulatory and political strategies, and review/adjust caseload assignments.  Facilitation of these meetings is a shared responsibility across all Energy Team members.
  • TURN staff members work collaboratively to develop positions on emerging issues in energy policy and ratemaking and identify how best to advocate for these positions.
  • On occasion TURN attorneys contribute to TURN communications by drafting summaries and reports for the TURN website, online alerts, newsletters, and fundraising and program-related materials.
  • All Energy Team members are expected to track time contemporaneously and with the required level of detail to support TURN’s requests for compensation from the CPUC for successfully contributing to the CPUC’s decisions.  At the conclusion of each regulatory proceeding, the lead attorney for that proceeding is expected to prepare the intervenor compensation request for submission at the CPUC.

Reporting and Supervision:  Reports to the Managing Attorney and Assistant Managing Attorney
Education and Experience:

• Education: Graduate of an accredited school of law.
• Licensure: Licensed to practice law in California or any jurisdiction within the United States.
• Experience: A minimum of 2 years of regulatory litigation before the CPUC or a similar regulatory agency on energy issues, with at least 1 year before the CPUC.  TURN  welcomes applicants with more than the required experience.

Required Skills/Abilities:

• Excellent Communicator: Effective oral and written communication with internal and external audiences at all levels of knowledge.  Willingness to serve as a spokesperson on TURN initiatives.
• Socially Conscious: Demonstrated commitment to economic and racial justice. Supportive of an inclusive and diverse TURN workplace.
• Strategic Thinker: Demonstrated record of careful research and creative analysis to address problems and develop successful arguments.
• Self-Starter: Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities while still delivering timely and high-quality work product.
• Collaborative Teammate: Able to coordinate with others towards a common goal.  Willing to assist colleagues with their workload when necessary.  Able to calmly and respectfully resolve conflict.
• Approachable Leader: Enthusiastic and dedicated advocate with the ability to help others achieve their best outcomes.  Eager to share knowledge and insight with others. 
• Technically Capable : Understanding of standard computer-based applications, including email, Microsoft Office, Adobe. 

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
• This is a full-time exempt position that may require occasional after-business hours work to meet legislative or regulatory deadlines.
• Occasional requirements to appear at the CPUC for evidentiary hearings, technical workshops, or other meetings, or to attend TURN staff in-person events that may be outside of Oakland.

Salary Range for Position:

• Mid-Level:  $140,000 to $170,000 for an attorney with 5-10 years of directly relevant legal experience. 
• Junior Level:  $107,000 to $140,000 for an attorney with 2-5 years of directly relevant legal experience.

Why Join TURN

• Influence fast-moving energy and climate change issues in a cutting-edge state
• Work with a mission-driven, high-impact advocacy team
• Competitive pay for non-profit sector and excellent benefits
• Hybrid in-person/remote flexibility

How to Apply: Upload your application package (resume, cover letter, and writing sample in one file) or email to hr@turn.org or chouston@turn.org
Subject line:  Staff Attorney, Energy Practice – [Your Name]
Please contact chouston@turn.org to request accommodation for the application process if necessary.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only complete application packages will be reviewed TURN is an Equal Opportunity Employer: TURN is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, or any other legally protected status. 
 

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