DIRECTOR DIVISION OF THE RATE COUNSEL

Definition

As appointed by the Governor, in accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:27E-63, supervises the Division of Rate Counsel established by Executive Order N J S A 13:lD-1; represents all classes of utility consumers in rate proceedings before the Board of Public Utilities and in negotiations with utilities in advance of rate and service changes; oversees any litigation necessary to protect the interests of ratepayers when negotiations have failed; plays an active role in utility and energy policy making and planning; does related work as required.

Examples of work

• Supervises and acts as chief administrative officer of the Division of Rate Counsel.
• Establishes policies and goals for division staff and operations.
• Retains expert assistants by contract, when exceptional circumstances arise, as are necessary to protect the interests of all classes of ratepayers.
• Recomnends fee schedules for payment to expert assistants, consultants, and other contract personnel.
• Assigns cases to staff attorneys or to attorneys hired by contract on a basis calculated to provide competent representation in light of the nature of the proceeding, the services to be performed, the experience of the particular attorney, and other relevant factors.
• Assesses annually, in accordance with N.J.S.A . 52:27E-61, public utilities under the jurisdiction of the Board of Public Utilities at a rate to be determined annually.
• Directs the annual preparation, transmittal and collection of these assessments to regulated utilities to support the statutory mandate of the division.
• Serves on the Advisory Council, of Energy Planning and Conservation, the Energy Master Plan Committee, and all other state bodies concerned with energy and utility policies and goals as well as concerned consumer groups.
• Represents the interest of the division before relevant legislative bodies, state, and federal.
• Coordinates all division activities with other government or private agencies.
• Plans and directs the operations of Rate Counsel staff.
• Counsels staff and contract attorneys.
• Directs the preparation of and prepares correspondence in the course of official duties.
• Plans, organizes, and assigns the work of the organizational unit and evaluates employee performance and conduct, enabling the effective of the hiring, firing, promoting, and disciplining of subordinates.
• Represents the division with the media in respect to Ratepayer Advocate position policies, operations, and responsibilities.
• Gives speeches to interested groups to interested groups as required concerning the operations and responsibilities of the division.
• Directs t h e preparation of and prepares clear, technically sound, accurate, and informative statistical, legal progress, and other reports containing findings, conclusions, and/or policy recommendations concerning public utilities.
• Directs the establishment and maintenance of essential division records, reports, and files.
• Will be required t o learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and computerized information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.

Education

Graduation from an accredited college with a law degree.

Experience

Five (5) years of high level legal and administrative experience in government or the private sector.

License

Appointees must be eligible to practice as an Attorney-At-Law in the State of New Jersey.

Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essential duties of the position.

Knowledge, skills and abilities

• Knowledge of the operation, responsibilities, and policies of the division and of the other s t a t e departments, agencies, or of any non-government agency that is known to affect the public interest in the areas of utility rates and policies.
• Knowledge of the operation, responsibilities, and policies of utilities doing business in the state concerning the delivery of utility services to all classes of ratepayers.
• Ability to assign, instruct, and direct a highly technical legal, investigative, and clerical staff.
• Ability to comprehend, analyze, and interpret laws and regulatory administrative regulations with particular emphasis on their relationship.
• Ability to apply modern principles and practices of employee supervision.
• Ability t o maintain effective working relationships with the heads and principal staff members of government and non-government agencies and with division staff members.
• Ability to communicate with groups from varied educational, ethnic, and interest backgrounds on a wide range of subjects concerning utilities and the pub1ic interest.
• Ability to prepare correspondence.
• Ability to prepare reports.
• Ability to direct the establishment and maintenance of records, reports, and files.
• Ability to learn to utilize various types of electronic and/or manual recording and information systems used by the agency, office, or related units.
• Ability to read, write, speak, understand, or communicate in English sufficiently to perform the duties of this position. American Sign Language or braille may also be considered as acceptable forms of cornmunication.
• Persons with mental or physical disabilities are eligible as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodation is made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible.
• CODES: 40/M42- MCK 09/16/2006

Note

The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job specification. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed.