Law Clerk

The Public Service Commission seeks a law clerk to aid our agency in exercising regulatory oversight of some of the largest essential industries in Montana. The Commission works to ensure fair prices responsible business practices and reliable services for Montana customers. This position offers a unique opportunity to work with a small but innovative state agency. The successful candidate will join our legal team who find the work to be interesting meaningful and critical to our agencys goal of serving the citizens of Montana extraordinarily well.

Duties:

Reviews studies researches and annotates laws court decisions documents opinions briefs and related legal authorities.
Prepares draft orders opinions legal memoranda statements of issues involved including appropriate analyses and recommendations.
Verifies all legal citations as still authoritative and current.
Edits orders and other legal documents for grammar punctuation spelling.
Reviews legal documents filed with the Commission for compliance with applicable rules.
Revises and finalizes orders and other legal documents based on feedback.
Compiles references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
Confers with Commissioners and staff concerning legal questions construction of legal documents including orders.
Attends Commission sessions to hear testimony and records necessary case information; maintains records attendant to Commission proceedings.
Assists staff in bill drafting and editing and in the drafting or review of administrative rules.
Assists staff in interpretation and application of state and federal laws and administrative rules.
Monitors and reports on state and federal legislative enactments.
Assists and advises the Chief Legal Counsel regarding responses to public records requests.

Required Application Materials:

Please submit a cover letter describing how your professional career experience and education prepared you to meet the requirements of this position; a twopage resume detailing all relevant work experiences including employer and duties; and a writing sample (e.g. a brief legal memo order or similar work product you have authored) authored by you alone.

All applicants selected for interviews will be required to submit copies of diplomas and licenses.

Special Information: This job is newly funded and may be filled as a Law Clerk or Attorney depending on the successful candidates preferred job occupation. Please apply for the position that interets you the most and complete all the required application materials.

Benefits Provided: On the first day of employment employees and eligible dependents receive health coverage with medical dental vision and prescriptions including free health care provided by the Montana Health Care Center. Wellness programs life insurance and retirement plan choices are offered. New employees also receive prorated 15 vacation days 12 sick days and paid holidays including a floating holiday. Flexible schedules may be considered as work/life balance is healthy and encouraged.

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 33 professionals in the Legal Regulatory and Centralized 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 welldefined 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 agency.

Employees enjoy a personable work environment. Staff members are encouraged to crosstrain 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 groundfloor office space and the building is conveniently located between two of Helenas least congested thoroughfares making the drive walk or ride to work quick and easy.

Competencies:

Considerable knowledge of general law state law established precedent and sources of legal reference.
Considerable knowledge of administrative practices and procedures.
Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts.
Excellent organization prioritization multitasking and time management skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite personal computers office machines and other jobrelated technologies.
Strong sense of discretion integrity and professional responsibility in handling confidential and/or sensitive material.
Strong sense of the chain of command decorum and professionalism.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both orally and in writing with a diverse group of people.
Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
Ability to represent the Commission in a respectful manner.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and individually.Considerable knowledge of general law state law established precedent and sources of legal reference.

Minimum Qualifications:
Juris Doctor from an ABAaccredited law school.
Admission to practice law in Montana or admission within one year from the date of hire.
Familiarity with general principles of utility regulation or a professional background with utility energy or administrative law is preferred.