Public Utility Hearing Officer (#MAFA01)
$62,483.00 Yearly Min / $78,104.00 Yearly Mid / $93,725.00 Yearly Max

Senior Public Utility Hearing Officer (#MAFA02)
$70,750.00 Yearly Min / $88,438.00 Yearly Mid / $106,126.00 Yearly Max

This class series uses two levels of work in the Administrative Services occupational group, Legal Services occupational series and describes quasi-judicial and administrative law work in conducting administrative proceedings and developing recommendations to the Public Service Commission for case disposition in complex regulatory proceedings on matters involving gas, electric, telecommunications, water, wastewater, cable television, and other utilities regulated by the State. 

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class.  Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Presides over public hearings and other administrative proceedings.  Receives exhibits, documentary evidence and testimony from utility experts, consultants, and Commission professional staff.  Rules on matters of law such as motions and objections made by parties or their attorneys and admissibility of evidence.  Subpoenas and conducts examinations of witnesses.
   
• Conducts pre-hearing conferences to simplify and analyze complex legal, economic, financial, and accounting issues; determines the procedures to be followed at the hearing.
   
• Directs the post-hearing phase requiring the submission by the parties of legal briefs on complex legal, financial, economic, accounting, and operational issues.
   
• Performs legal research for cases.  Determines legal precedents and applicable state and federal laws.  Drafts recommended decisions and proposed orders for the Commission based on findings of fact and conclusions of law.  Researches other regulatory matters for the Commission and Director.  Provides written recommendations on the disposition of any given matter.
   
• Prepares draft regulations for the Commission’s consideration at the conclusion of rulemaking proceedings.  Prepares public notices under appropriate statutory and regulatory requirements.

Public Utility Hearing Officer  

This is the first level in the Public Utility Hearing Officer series.

• Reports to a technical supervisor. 
• Performs the full range of Essential Functions.
• Assists the Senior Public Utility Hearing Officer in the most complex cases.
• Contacts include the public, utility officials, counsel, and Commission staff for the purpose of carrying out proceedings in accordance with established Commission policies and procedures.

Senior Public Utility Hearing Officer

This is the advanced level in the Public Utility Hearing Officer series.

• Reports to an administrative supervisor.  
• Manages the most complex cases involving major or multi-party proceedings. 
• Assists in developing policies and procedures. 
• Provides training, technical assistance, and guidance to lower-level hearing officers.

The intent of the listed knowledge, skills and abilities is to give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSA’s listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the requirements of every position in the class. 

• Knowledge of rules of evidence, civil procedures, constitutional, and administrative law. 
• Knowledge of the methods and principles of legal research and legal report preparation. 
• Knowledge of the provisions and policies embodied in various public utility statues, rulings, precedents and orders, and the programs promulgated thereunder at the commission, state, and federal level. 
• Knowledge of accounting, economic, and financial analysis methods and concepts.
• Knowledge of the rules of conduct for formal legal proceedings and hearings.
• Skill in eliciting information from expert witnesses. 
• Skill in maintaining order at contentious proceedings.
• Skill in performing legal and economic research.
• Skill in preparing written summations of hearing proceedings and justification of rulings. 
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with the public, utility officials, counsel, and other professional staff.
• Ability to interpret and apply policy, current law regulations, and precedent decisions. 
• Ability to analyze and interpret accounting, financial, economic, and other technical data. 
• Ability to deal with individuals having conflicting interests. 
• Ability to render decisions on cases based on testimony given, evidence presented, and applicable laws, rules, regulations, and precedents.

In addition to the above knowledge, skills, and abilities, the Senior Public Utility Hearing Officer requires:

• Skill in managing the most complex cases involving major or multi-party proceedings.
• Ability to provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to lower level officers.

JOB REQUIREMENTS for Senior Public Utility Hearing Officer
Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas: 

1. Possession of a J.D., LLB or related degree. 
2. Three years experience in public policy administration which includes overseeing and directing the development, implementation and evaluation of public policies.
3. Three years experience with public utility regulation.
4. Three years experience in legal research such as researching statutes, regulations, case law and background information.
5. Six months experience in interpreting legislation, statutes and regulations.
6. Knowledge of staff supervision acquired through course work, academic training, training provided through an employer, or performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others; OR supervising staff which may include planning, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of others; OR supervising through subordinate supervisors a group of professional, technical, and clerical employees.
7. Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).