State of Maryland

The General Counsel, Public Service coordinates, supervises and participates in providing legal representation for the people of the state in utility related matters in compliance with the Public Utilities Article, Division I. Public Services and Utilities, Title 2 Public Service Commission and Peoples Counsel. The employee in this classification supervises Assistants General Counsel, Public Service and paralegals, and provides legal advice to the Public Service Commission members and executive staff.

The employee in this classification receives managerial supervision from the Executive Director, Public Service Commission.

Positions in this classification are evaluated by using the classification job evaluation methodology.  The use of this method involves comparing the assigned duties and responsibilities of a position to the job criteria found in the Nature of Work and Examples of Work sections of the class specification.

Supervises and coordinates the work of Assistants General Counsel, Public Service Commission, paralegals, law clerks, investigators and support staff involved in the prosecution of utility related matters;

Supervises the gathering and analysis of case evidence;

Plans and develops legal strategies and case presentation;

Counsels and advises agency executive staff regarding legal issues;

Supervises the preparation of opinions, briefs and other legal documents;

Supervises the negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements;

Provides guidance and advice to Public Service Commission staff regarding legal aspects of cases;

Reviews proposed legislation and may prepare and present legislative testimony;

Prepares and presents training on legal issues to agency staff, community groups and business organizations;

May draft bills and regulations regarding agency operations and areas of interest;

Performs other related duties.

Education:   A Juris Doctor degree or equivalent degree from an accredited school of law.

Experience: Experience as a practicing Attorney, including at least five years of specific experience in public utility law or related fields.

Notes:

1. The General Counsel, Public Service must be a member of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.

2. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in legal and kindred group field of work on a year-for-year basis for the required experience and education.

Class Descriptions are broad descriptions covering groups of positions used by various State departments and agencies.  Position descriptions maintained by the using department or agency specifically address the essential job functions of each position.

Class Descriptions provide information about the Nature of Work, Examples of Work, General Requirements and Acknowledgements.  The Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities; Minimum Education and Experience Requirements; Special Requirements; and recruitment and testing procedures are set by the using agency.

This is a Professional Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Professional Service positions.  Some positions in Professional Service classifications may be designated as Special Appointment in accordance with the State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 6-405, Annotated Code of Maryland.

This classification is not assigned to a bargaining unit, as indicated by the designation of S (Supervisor), M (Manager), T (Agency Head), U (Board or Commission Member), W (Student), X (Used by Agency or Excluded by Executive Order), or Z (Confidential).  As provided by State Personnel and Pensions Article, Section 3-102, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.