Deputy General Counsel

Are you looking to find meaningful work and positively impact the lives of the residents of North Carolina?  If your answer is yes, then we want you to join our team at the North Carolina Utilities Commission and make a difference.   

The NC Department of Commerce, Utilities Commission is looking for a Deputy General Counsel.  This position is assigned to the Legal section within the Utilities Commission.

This is a full-time position (40 hours per week) with State Benefits, including health insurance, as well as retirement.  

Incentives of NC State Employment We value our employees and offer a wide variety of competitive and family-friendly benefits. Benefits to include: 

• 12 Annual paid Holidays 
• North Carolina State Health Plan administered by Aetna 
• Supplemental Benefits including Flexible Spending Accounts, Accident Insurance, Cancer & Specified Disease, Critical Illness, Dental and Vision 
• NC State Retirement (TSERS)
• WeSave Employee Discounts

Learn more about new hire resources, safety, health, and wellness information, leave options, employee discounts and more by selecting the link below:https://oshr.nc.gov/state-employee-resources/benefits

***This Posting is for Internal to Commerce Employees Only***

*Salary Grade: LG09*

Recruitment Range: $92,917 - $152,882

Note to Current State Employees

The salary grade for this position is LG09. State employees are encouraged to apply for positions of interest even if the salary grade is the same as, or lower than, their current position. If selected for this position, a new salary will be recalculated taking into consideration the quantity of relevant education and experience, funding availability, and internal equity. Based upon those factors, a pay increase MAY result. 

In order to receive credit for the supplemental questions in which you answered yes, you must provide supporting information within the body of the application, to support your answer. Your application should also reflect all education and all professional work experience acquired including high school and all degrees. It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive candidate information. 

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENT AND ALL KSAs IN ORDER TO QUALIFY FOR THIS POSITION.  

• Demonstrated ability to conduct legal research and analyze the law in highly complex issues

• Demonstrated ability to provide independent legal advice and counsel

• Demonstrated ability to find creative solutions to legal issues with major ramification and provide counsel and advice

• Demonstrated ability to express highly complex legal concepts and related facts in a clear, concise and organized manner, both oral and written

• Demonstrated ability to effectively present legal issues

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate, facilitate and participate in a collaborative approach to complete assignments

Some state job postings say you can qualify by an “equivalent combination of education and experience”. If that language appears below, then you may qualify through EITHER years of education OR years of directly related experience OR a combination of both. See oshr.nc.gov/experience-guide for details. 
 
Licensed to practice law by the North Carolina State Bar and four years of progressively responsible professional legal experience. 

NOTE: GS 114-2 and 114-6 make it the duty of the Attorney General of NC to represent the State of North Carolina in all litigation unless another statute specifically states otherwise.

About the Utilities Commission

The Commission regulates the rates charged and service provided by approximately 3,000 public utilities operating in the State. The Legal Division is currently comprised of 9 attorneys, including the General Counsel and Deputy, 4 paralegals, 1 legal assistant, and 5 other employees in the records management and court reporter sections. The Deputy General Counsel serves as a legal advisor to the members of the Utilities Commission and its professional staff. As such, the Deputy General Counsel is responsible for the most advanced, difficult, and important matters of legal interpretation, counsel, and litigation in the highly complex and specialized field of public utilities regulation. The Deputy General Counsel also supervises the work of the (currently 7) Staff Attorneys in the Legal Division. The Deputy General Counsel assists the General Counsel, as requested, in liaising with others, such as the Public Staff, and managing the staffing, work flow, and work assignments among the attorneys, paralegals, and other Legal staff 

About the Department of Commerce 

The North Carolina Department of Commerce is the state's lead agency for economic, community and workforce development. The department works with local, regional, national and international organizations to fulfill its mission to improve the economic well-being and quality of life for all North Carolinians.     

Commerce is an Equal Opportunity Employer who embraces an Employment First philosophy which consists of complying with all federal laws, state laws and Executive Orders. We are committed to reviewing requests for reasonable accommodation at any time during the hiring process or while on the job.    

Our Agency uses the Merit-Based Recruitment and Selection Plan to fill positions subject to the State Human Resources Act with the most qualified individuals. All applicants must complete and submit a state application for employment using the NEOGOV Online Job Application System (OSHR - Work for NC) for the State of North Carolina.   

 **PLEASE NOTE**

It is critical to our screening and salary determination process that applications contain comprehensive information. Information should be provided in the appropriate areas to include the beginning and ending dates of jobs worked, education with the date graduated, all work experience, and certificates/licenses. Hiring salary will be based on relevant qualifications, internal equity, and budgetary considerations pertinent to the advertised position.      

Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completing this application. Answers to Supplemental Questions must refer to education or work experience listed on this application to receive credit. Degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.  To receive credit for your work history and credentials, you must list the information on the online application form.  Any information omitted from the application cannot be considered in screening for qualifying credit.  Attached or incorporated resumes (including Text resumes on application form) WILL NOT be used for screening for qualifying credit. Please make sure you complete the application in full. "See Resume" or "See Attachment" will NOT be accepted and will be considered an incomplete application and will not be processed.  For additional information about applications and processes with the state of NC, please visit:  How Do I Get the Job.    

For consideration for this vacancy, all applicants must complete an on-line application using this link, https://www.governmentjobs.com/Applications/Index/northcarolina. If multiple applications are submitted to an individual posting, only the most recent application received prior to the posting close date will be evaluated for consideration.      

Applications for positions requiring specific coursework must be accompanied by a copy of the applicant's transcript.  If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.  If applicants earned college credit hours but did not complete a degree program, they must attach an unofficial transcript to each application to receive credit for this education.    

***INCLUDE ALL RELEVANT EDUCATION, WORK EXPERIENCE IN THE DESIGNATED EDUCATION AND WORK HISTORY SECTION ON THE FORMAL APPLICATION***                

If you have student loans, becoming a state employee includes eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Visit www.studentaid.gov to learn more.   

• Applicants seeking Veteran's Preference must attach a DD-214 Member-4 Form (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty) to their applications.
• Applicants seeking National Guard Preference must attach a NGB 23A (RPAS) if they are a current member of the NC National Guard in good standing.  If a former member of the NC National Guard who served for at least 6 years and was discharged under honorable conditions, they must attach either a DD256 or NGB 22.
• Applicants requesting and receiving an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) are eligible to submit paper applications via mail or by fax.

Re-Entry for Formerly Incarcerated Individuals

Our Agency supports the Governor’s Executive Order 303 which seeks to re-employ individuals that were previously incarcerated. Formerly incarcerated individuals are invited to apply for any vacant Commerce position(s) in which they believe they are qualified.   Due to the volume of applications received, we are unable to provide information regarding the status of your application over the phone. To check the status of your application, please log in to your account and click "Application Status." If you are selected for an interview, you will be contacted by management. If you are no longer under consideration, you will receive an email notification.     

For technical issues with your application, please call the GovernmentJobs.com Applicant Support Help Line at 855.524.5627.   

Denise Roberts 

HR Analyst

North Carolina Department of Commerce 

(984) 302-6421