Public Counsel

Do not click the Apply button. Submit an application here at GovernmentJobs.com

Job Title                Public Counsel

Salary                    See Position Description

Job Type               Salaried Full-Time

Location               Tallahassee, Florida

Office                    Office of Public Counsel

Closing Date        02/06/2025 5:00 PM Eastern

General Summary

This is highly responsible work directing all functions of the Office of Public Counsel as mandated by Chapter 350 Florida Statutes. An employee in this position directs, sets policy for, and manages the staff of this office and represents the general public of Florida in matters involving utility regulation.

Under Florida law, the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight must receive applications, conduct interviews, and appoint a Public Counsel to a 4-year term beginning on March 1, 2021, and every 4 years thereafter.  The Public Counsel is appointed by a majority vote of the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight appointees of both the Florida Senate and House of Representatives and is required to take and subscribe to the oath of office required of all state officers by the State Constitution.  The Public Counsel is appointed for a term of 4 years, and may be reappointed thereafter, provided that a person appointed as the Public Counsel may not serve more than 12 consecutive years in the position. Vacancies in the office are filled for the remainder of an unexpired term in the same manner as the original appointment. The current Public Counsel’s term ends on February 28, 2025, and the current Public Counsel is eligible for reappointment by the Joint Committee. The Joint Committee is currently seeking applications for a 4-year term beginning March 1, 2025. 

For statutory duties see sections 350.0611, Florida Statutes.

Examples of Work Performed

• Plans, directs, and administers the overall operations of the Office of Public Counsel.
• Provides legal representation for the people of the State of Florida in proceedings before the Public Service Commission.
• Retains and supervises a staff of attorneys, analysts, assistants, and technical personnel.
• Determines positions and policies which are in the public interest and urges their acceptance by the Public Service Commission.
• Decides whether judicial review of determinations, findings, or orders of the Public Service Commission is in the public interest and petitions for such review.
• Prepares and issues reports, recommendations, and proposed orders to the Public Service Commission, the Governor, and the Legislature.
• Appears before other state agencies, federal agencies, and state and federal courts in matters related to the jurisdiction of the Public Service Commission.
• Maintains familiarity with all cases in which the Office of Public Counsel is involved.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of legal terminology.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of supervision and/or administration.
• Knowledge of Florida laws and legal procedure.
• Skilled in reading comprehension, analysis, research, and organization.
• Ability to provide legal counsel.

Minimum Qualifications

Attorney in good standing with The Florida Bar and seven years of professional legal experience.

Preferred Qualifications
Experience in federal, state and/or local government regulatory utility matters.
Experience in regulatory litigation, administrative litigation, and consumer representation.

Salary
Salary commensurate with experience in conformance with the Legislative Salary Schedule.
The Legislature offers a competitive benefits package.

Application Deadline
February 6, 2025

Submission of Application:

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and resume with their online application via GovernmentJobs.com or send a Legislative Application to:

                                                                Jackie Brown, HR Manager

                                                                The Florida Legislature

                                                                Office of Human Resources

                                                                Room 701 Claude Pepper Building

                                                                111 West Madison Street

                                                                Tallahassee, Florida  32399-1400

                                                                Phone: (850) 488-6803

                                                                Or email: brown.jackie@leg.state.fl.us

Legislative Applications are available through the Florida Legislature’s website Online Sunshine and in Room 701 of the Claude Pepper Building.

Candidates selected for an interview before the Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight shall be required to file a financial disclosure form and will be subjected to a background investigation by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.  Candidates will be responsible for their own travel expenses.

Accommodation For Disability
If an accommodation is needed for a disability, please notify Human Resources at (850) 488-6803.

Do not click the Apply button. Submit an application here at GovernmentJobs.com