PUCT, Legal Secretary (Legal Secretary II - IV)
Job Description
The Public Utility Commission of Texas: Your Gateway to a Fulfilling Career!
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS
Applications must contain a complete job history, detailing:
Job title
Dates of employment
Name of employer
Supervisor's name and phone number
Description of duties performed, demonstrating how you meet the minimum qualifications for the position applying for
Important: Resumes do not replace this required information. Applications stating, "See attached" or "See resume" will not be accepted. The employment history listed on your resume must match the details on the CAPPS State of Texas Application. Discrepancies will result in an incomplete application and will not be further considered for the position applying for.
Required Documents
Resume
The hiring manager has requested the above document(s) be submitted with the CAPPS State of Texas Application To submit a resume, you must upload it to your application. When submitting your documents, make sure to mark them as “relevant.”
Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicant Release Form Website Link
WORK IN TEXAS APPLICANTS
To apply for the position, it is best to go to the CAPPS State of Texas Talent Management System to submit your application by going to https://capps.taleo.net/careersection/ex/jobsearch.ftl and select our agency, Public Utility Commission of Texas, from the "Company/Agency" list.
If applying through Work In Texas (WIT) you will also need to complete the supplemental questions and forms to be considered for this posting. An automated email from the CAPPS State of Texas Talent Management System will be sent to your email on file in WIT with additional instructions.
The Public Utility Commission regulates the state’s electric, telecommunication, and water and sewer utilities, implementing respective legislation and offering customer assistance in resolving customer complaints.
Join a Team Dedicated to Public Service
Are you passionate about making a positive impact on the lives of Texans? We are committed to building a highly skilled workforce. Our team boasts a wide range of expertise, from legal and engineering professionals to dedicated administrative staff. What unites us is our dedication to serving the public and our commitment to protecting customers, fostering competition, and promoting high quality utility infrastructure
Make a Difference with Us
We recognize the importance of motivated and knowledgeable staff to accomplish our critical mission. If you're eager to contribute to ensuring compliance within the electric, telecommunications, and water and sewer utilities, we want to hear from you! A career at the PUC will not only expand your professional horizons but also make you part of a highly motivated, technically skilled, and supportive team environment.
Competitive Benefits Package
In addition to a positive and family-friendly work culture, the PUC offers a comprehensive benefits package to its employees.
For a detailed overview, please visit https://www.puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Benefits.
Ready to Make a Difference? Apply Today!
DIVISION – OFFICE OF POLICY AND DOCKET MANAGEMENT (OPDM)
SECTION – ADMINISTRATIVE AND PROJECT SERVICES
About the Office of Policy and Docket Management
The Office of Policy and Docket Management (OPDM) supports the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) Commissioners, including when they act collectively as the Commission. OPDM is composed of three sections that work cooperatively to support the Commission’s decision-making and adjudicatory responsibilities.
The Commission Advising section is made up primarily of attorneys who advise the Commissioners and serve as their legal advisors in contested cases. Advisors work directly with the Commissioners on a regular basis, supporting legal research, analysis and decision-making on the complex and high-impact matters. This section works closely with one another and their reviewers to research, draft, and prepare written materials for, and on behalf of, the Commission.
The Docket Management section consists of administrative law judges (ALJs) who oversee and guide the processing of contested cases. ALJs are responsible for conducting hearings, managing procedural matters, and issuing proposals for decision and other orders across a wide range of proceedings. The professionals in Docket Management develop deep expertise in administrative law a
The Administrative and Project Services section (APS) includes legal assistants, legal secretaries and project management staff who provide essential administrative support to OPDM and the Commissioners. APS staff support the processing of contested cases, assist with the preparation and issuance of orders and proposals for decision, coordinate filings, and help ensure the agency’s compliance with statutory and procedural requirements, including those under the Open Meetings Act. APS staff work collaboratively with Commission Advising and Docket Management to support the Commission’s adjudicatory and administrative functions.
Looking to grow your legal career in a fast-paced and collaborative environment? The Office of Policy and Docket Management has an opportunity for a detail oriented professional to provide critical administrative and legal support to attorneys, administrative law judges, and legal assistants.
Administrative and Project Services has an opportunity for a Legal Secretary who will play a key role in supporting the management of official case files and records, assist with legal and administrative document preparation, and help ensure filings and notices are processed accurately and on time. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with attorneys, administrative law judges, and legal staff on matters that directly support the Commission’s case management processes and regulatory responsibilities.
The ideal candidate should possess the following minimum qualifications.
Legal Secretary II
High school graduation or GED equivalent and a minimum of one (1) year legal secretarial or administrative assistant experience.
Legal Secretary III
High school graduation or GED equivalent and a minimum of two (2) years legal secretarial or administrative assistant experience.
Legal Secretary IV
High school graduation or GED equivalent and a minimum of three (3) years legal secretarial or administrative assistant experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Experience working as a legal secretary for a state agency or with a utility company.
Experience drafting, formatting, preparing and proofreading correspondence and legal documents.
WORK SCHEDULE
Newly hired employees are required to complete a waiting period before becoming eligible to telecommute. After thirty (30) days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to one (1) day per week. After ninety (90) days of employment and with supervisor approval, a new hire may telecommute up to two (2) days per week. Supervisors may require new hires to report to the office more frequently if necessary to support training, performance, or business needs.
VETERAN’S PREFERENCE
Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with a Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) or additional duties that fall in the fields listed in the below link who meet the minimum qualifications are encouraged to apply.
The MOS codes applicable to this position can be accessed at:
Military Crosswalk for Legal Secretary
If you qualify for a Veteran Employment Preference, it is mandatory that you provide the required documentation with your State of Texas Application. Documentation must be provided before a Veteran Preference can be granted. Required documentation is as follows: Veteran – DD Form 214; Surviving Spouse of a Veteran who has not remarried – Marriage Certificate and DD Form 1300; Orphan of a Veteran who was killed during active duty – Birth Certificate and DD Form 1300.
A detailed job description can be viewed on our website:
https://puc.texas.gov/HumanResources/Home/Jobs
Salary commensurate with qualifications. The salary of an ERS Retiree or non-contributing member may be 6% less than the recommended salary.
REMARKS
All information provided in connection with an employment application must be accurate and complete. Any misstatement, falsification, or omission of information may result in refusal to hire or, if hired, termination.
If the position requires it, licensure as a Professional Engineer or to practice law in Texas will be verified through the Professional Board of Engineers or the State Bar of Texas for the selected candidate.
A satisfactory driving record is necessary for driving a state or personal vehicle for agency business. Selected candidates will have their driving records evaluated according to the Commission’s Traffic Safety policy.
For males born on or after January 1, 1960, the PUC will verify Selective Service registration through the online Selective Service System. Males born after January 1, 1960, who are not registered must provide proof of exemption from the Selective Service registration requirement.
The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) participates in the EVerify+ system to confirm employment eligibility for all newly hired employees. All candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire.
Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of the EVerify+ employment eligibility process.
The PUCT does not have the ability to sponsor employees for work authorization and does not have a formal training program to participate in the STEM OPT extension program sponsored through U.S. Universities.
Your application for a position with access to sensitive systems, confidential records, or information related to critical infrastructure facilities may subject you to a criminal background check pursuant to Texas Government Code § 411.14031 and Texas Utilities Code § 12.107 after a conditional offer of employment is made. Your consent for this criminal background check will be requested following a conditional offer of employment.
The Public Utility Regulatory Act imposes certain restrictions on PUCT employees’ investments, professional activities, and relationships with public utilities, with some limited exceptions. PUCT employees are also prohibited from having a financial interest in a public utility, an affiliate of a public utility, and a person a significant portion of whose business consists of furnishing goods or services to public utilities or affiliates.
The PUCT has a Post-Employment Restriction – details furnished upon request.
The PUCT is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.
INTERNAL APPLICANT ELIGIBILTY REQUIREMENTS
Newly hired employees must successfully complete their six-month probationary period and have a satisfactory performance review on file before becoming eligible to apply for other positions within the PUCT.
Employees who transfer to a new position or division must remain in their new role for at least six months and have a satisfactory performance review before applying for another position within the PUCT.
- Employees are not eligible to apply for positions within their classification series in their current division. This restriction does not apply for supervisory positions within the same classification series. Advancement within a classification series in the same division occurs through the promotional process based on demonstrated performance at the high level.