State of Maryland

A Deputy People’s Counsel assists the People’s Counsel in the management of the Office of People’s Counsel and supervises lower-level Assistant People’s Counsels engaged in representing the interests of residential and non-commercial consumers of public utilities before the Maryland Public Service Commission, the courts and federal and State agencies.  Employees in this classification supervise lower-level Assistant People’s Counsels.

Employees in this classification receives managerial supervision from the People’s Counsel.  Employees in this classification may be required to travel throughout the State to attend evening and weekend hearings and may be required to work overtime to meet deadlines.

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 description.

The Deputy People’s Counsel is differentiated from the Assistant People’s Counsel IV in that the Deputy People’s Counsel has supervisory responsibility for lower-level Assistant People’s Counsels while the Assistant People’s Counsel IV functions as a specialist for a particular industry.

Supervises lower-level Assistant People’s Counsels engaged in representing the interests of residential and non-commercial consumers of public utilities before the Maryland Public Service Commission, the courts, and federal and State agencies;

Supervises and oversees the litigation strategy, investigation of complaints and case management of lower-level Assistant People’s Counsels;

Acts as lead counsel in complex and non-routine utility litigation in State and federal agencies and courts;

Directs the planning, scheduling, organization and coordination of staff and consultants involved in utility litigation;

Identifies State and federal issues which may impact Maryland residential consumers and brings them to the attention of the People’s Counsel;

Advises the People’s Counsel regarding utility cases and potential litigation strategy at State and federal regulatory agencies and courts;

Develops with the People’s Counsel long-range strategy for the Office in State and federal energy matters and assists the People’s Counsel in planning for and obtaining resources necessary to implement the strategy;

Prepares testimony for State and federal legislative hearings;

Conducts and attends public hearings, conferences and meetings with consumer groups and addresses them on matters of rate making and public policy;

Provides assistance to the People’s Counsel regarding budgetary and personnel issues and the development of office policy;

Performs other related duties.

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

Experience: Four years of experience in a government agency practicing law related to the regulation of public utilities or five years as a practicing Attorney.

Notes:

1. Employees in this classification must be a member of the Maryland Bar at the time of appointment.

2. The above requirements are set by the Office of People’s Counsel in accordance with Public Utilities Article, Public Services and Utilities, Title 2 Public Service Commission and People's Counsel, Section 203 of the Annotated Code of Maryland.

3. Candidates may substitute U.S. Armed Forces military service experience as a commissioned officer in general attorney classification or general attorney specialty codes in the 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 Management Service classification in the State Personnel Management System.  All positions in this classification are Management Service positions.

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 Annotated Code of Maryland, special appointment, temporary, contractual, supervisory, managerial and confidential employees are excluded from collective bargaining.  Additionally, certain executive branch agencies are exempt from collective bargaining and all positions in those agencies are excluded from collective bargaining.