Job Posting: Legal Counsel

Public Utilities Commission

JC-535228
-
Legal Counsel
ATTORNEY IV

$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 per Month
New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.

Final Filing Date: 10/22/2026

Job Description and Duties

Individuals interested in applying for this vacancy must have eligibility.  If you are new to state service or need to gain eligibility to this classification, please Click here to open the examination bulletin and follow the instructions on “How to apply”.   

The examination is a separate process from applying for this vacancy.  Please be sure to follow all instructions for each process.

Virtual interviews via web portals or phone may be offered as deemed appropriate and feasible by the hiring manager – standard in-person interviews will still be offered if conditions permit. 

Join the Public Advocates Office, a leading voice for utility consumers.

Apply your leadership skills to promote utility safety and protect Californians. Help advocate to ensure that electric, gas and water customers receive safe and reliable service.

We are looking for candidates with the initiative and desire to make a difference advocating for the interests of California ratepayers. Please join our team!

Under the supervision of the Chief Counsel, the Attorney IV represents the Public Advocates Office in its work on rate-making, as well as multi-state energy market issues, including but not limited to the transformation of the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) into a Regional Organization.

You will find additional information about the job in the Duty Statement.

Working Conditions

This advertisement is listed specifically for San Francisco (SF, SAC) location.  All identified locations will be considered as one candidate pool to fill one position.

  • Sacramento location, please apply to JC# 535293

Apply to only those location(s) in which you are willing to work.

This position require travel.

This is a hybrid position that will require the selected candidate to report to their assigned headquarter office a minimum of two (2) days a week. Hybrid positions may be eligible for telework under California Government Code Section 14200 for eligible applicants residing in California. In accordance with CPUC Telework Policy, telework arrangements are subject to change and may be reevaluated at any time.

Minimum Requirements

You will find the Minimum Requirements in the Class Specification.

Additional Documents

Position Details

Job Code #:
JC-535228
Position #(s):
680-250-5780-001
Working Title:
Legal Counsel
Classification:
ATTORNEY IV
$11,993.00 - $16,096.00 A

Effective July 1, 2025, CalHR launched the Personal Leave Program (PLP) 2025 with Pay Differential 386. PLP 2025 temporarily reduces state employee pay in exchange for leave hours to help address budget shortfalls. Salary ranges in this posting exclude the temporary reduction. For details, visit CalHR’s Personnel Leave Program (PLP) page.

New to State candidates will be hired into the minimum salary of the classification or minimum of alternate range when applicable.
# of Positions:
2
Work Location:
San Francisco County
Telework:
Hybrid
Job Type:
Permanent, Full Time

Department Information

Public Advocates Office/ Executive Branch:

The Public Advocates Office is the independent consumer advocate within the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The Public Advocates Office's mandate is to obtain the lowest possible rates for utility services consistent with reliable and safe service levels, and the state’s environmental goals. The Public Advocates Office represents residential and small business ratepayer interests in Commission proceedings and processes (e.g. workshops, rulemakings, investigations, utility applications, hearings, advice letters, committee and stakeholder meetings, and other forums). These proceedings and processes set rates, rules, policies, and regulations that impact ratepayers.

Please visit www.publicadvocates.cpuc.ca.gov for more information on the Public Advocates Office.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov

Special Requirements

Prepare and submit a response for each question below. The SOQ should provide specific details and examples that clearly demonstrate how your training, experience, and education qualifies you for the position. Refer to the job description and duties, and duty statement to prepare your response. Applicants who do not submit a completed SOQ and writing that exceeds the page limit will not be considered or scored. All information in the SOQ is subject to verification. The SOQ must be no smaller than 11-point Arial font, single-spaced, and no more than two pages.

Please write your SOQ to address the following three questions:
  1. Describe your role, responsibilities, and experience providing organizational, strategic, and substantive advice and assistance to a client, agency/department executive or management staff, or relevant stakeholder(s) on novel or complex matters both in and outside of the litigation context. Include specific types of issues involved and how you achieved success.
  2. Describe your training and experience building stakeholder coalitions, for example in developing consensus with varied stakeholders. State how and if leading via mediation, arbitration, or alternative dispute resolution helped build consensus.
  3. Describe your training and experience working with grassroots, community-based, under-resourced and contentious groups. What strategies did you employ and what successes/failures did you have? Did you conduct consensus building, training, convening, planning, facilitating, or other organizational activities as part of this experience?

For helpful guidance on writing an effective SOQ, please see the Work4CA guide.


It is strongly encouraged to apply through your CalCareer Account at www.jobs.ca.gov

Electronic applications submitted through your CalCareer Account are highly recommended and will be received/processed faster than other methods of filing.


If you are using education to meet the minimum qualifications for this position, you must submit a copy of your transcript or diploma.  An official transcript will be required prior to appointment. 

Applicants who completed their education outside the United States (with foreign degrees/transcripts) must obtain and submit verification of United States course/degree equivalency by the application deadline.
Foreign education credential evaluation services can be found at https://www.naces.org

Employment information on the STD 678 state application MUST be complete with dates, duties and responsibilities, and contact names and phone numbers of supervisors.  Resumes, or referring to resumes, will not be accepted in place of the completed STD 678.  Applicants who fail to submit a completed STD 678 will not be considered. 

Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to an interview.

Per CCR 249.3, this job control may be used to fill subsequent vacancies.

Application Instructions

Completed applications and all required documents must be received or postmarked by the Final Filing Date in order to be considered. Dates printed on Mobile Bar Codes, such as the Quick Response (QR) Codes available at the USPS, are not considered Postmark dates for the purpose of determining timely filing of an application.

Final Filing Date: 10/22/2026

Who May Apply

Individuals who are currently in the classification, eligible for lateral transfer, eligible for reinstatement, have list or LEAP eligibility, are in the process of obtaining list eligibility, or have SROA and/or Surplus eligibility (please attach your letter, if available). SROA and Surplus candidates are given priority; therefore, individuals with other eligibility may be considered in the event no SROA or Surplus candidates apply.

Applications will be screened and only the most qualified applicants will be selected to move forward in the selection process. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications stated in the Classification Specification(s).

How To Apply

Complete Application Packages (including your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) and applicable or required documents) must be submitted to apply for this Job Posting. Application Packages may be submitted electronically through your CalCareer Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. When submitting your application in hard copy, a completed copy of the Application Package listing must be included. If you choose to not apply electronically, a hard copy application package may be submitted through an alternative method listed below:

Address for Mailing Application Packages

You may submit your application and any applicable or required documents to:

Public Utilities Commission
N/A
Attn: Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102

Address for Drop-Off Application Packages

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

Public Utilities Commission
N/A
Human Resources Division
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102
Monday to Friday Except Holidays.
08:00 AM - 05:00 PM

Required Application Package Documents

The following items are required to be submitted with your application. Applicants who do not submit the required items timely may not be considered for this job:

  • Current version of the State Examination/Employment Application STD Form 678 (when not applying electronically), or the Electronic State Employment Application through your Applicant Account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov. All Experience and Education relating to the Minimum Qualifications listed on the Classification Specification should be included to demonstrate how you meet the Minimum Qualifications for the position.
  • Resume is required and must be included.
  • Statement of Qualifications - A Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) is required. Please see “Special Requirements” for instructions.
Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations for the hiring interview process must request the necessary accommodations if scheduled for a hiring interview. The request should be made at the time of contact to schedule the interview. Questions regarding reasonable accommodations may be directed to the EEO contact listed on this job posting.

Desirable Qualifications

In addition to evaluating each candidate's relative ability, as demonstrated by quality and breadth of experience, the following factors will provide the basis for competitively evaluating each candidate:
  1. Knowledge of, and experience with, federal and state energy law and/or regulation, particularly regarding energy markets.
  2. Experience with general rate making issues.

Benefits

Benefits Summary

Contact Information

The Human Resources Contact is available to answer questions regarding the application process. The Hiring Unit Contact is available to answer questions regarding the position.

Department Website: http://www.cpuc.ca.gov
Human Resources Contact:
Talent Acquisition Unit
(916) 597-5683
cpucrecruiter@cpuc.ca.gov
Hiring Unit Contact:
Darwin Farrar
(415) 703-1599
darwin.farrar@cpuc.ca.gov

Please direct requests for Reasonable Accommodations to the interview scheduler at the time the interview is being scheduled. You may direct any additional questions regarding Reasonable Accommodations or Equal Employment Opportunity for this position(s) to the Department's EEO Office.

EEO Contact:
Reasonable Accommodation Coordinator
(916) 894-5799
ReasonableAccommodation@cpuc.ca.gov
California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice) TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free work place. Any applicant for state employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing Civil Service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Using your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
Drop-off
Print Job