Deputy City Attorney- Public Utilities Team

Position Summary:

About the Public Utilities Team

The Public Utilities Team provides counsel to the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC). The Team is a collaborative and dynamic group of six attorneys and a legal secretary, led by the Utilities General Counsel.

The SFPUC is an enterprise department of the City and County of San Francisco (City) responsible for managing the City’s water, wastewater (sewer), and power systems and assets. SFPUC has an annual operating budget of over $1.7 billion, a capital program of over $8 billion, and a work force of over 2,300 employees.

Attorneys on the Team provide advice and counsel on a myriad of matters related to municipal water, wastewater, and power utility services. Their work includes drafting regulations, legislation, and contracts and representing the City and SFPUC before local, state, and federal legislative and administrative bodies. Based on their expertise and experience, attorneys on the Team may advise on: state and federal environmental regulatory matters, with special focus on the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the California Water and Health and Safety Codes; capital improvement project planning and implementation, including environmental impact review under state and federal law; new development infrastructure planning and implementation; the preparation of non-potable water plans and regulations; development of flood control and floodplain management initiatives and regulations; and the development, adoption, and collection of municipal utility rates, fees, and charges.

Duties and Responsibilities:

How to qualify
Minimum Qualifications

Licensed to practice law in California.
Desired Qualifications

At least 5 years and ideally more of relevant experience in the environmental and regulatory practice area.
Experience providing advice and counsel regarding environmental compliance and risk mitigation.
Experience representing clients in response to threatened or actual regulatory enforcement actions, including experience with administrative proceedings and litigation.
Experience with the interface of public utility systems and private properties, including but not limited to development interconnection agreements.
Experience representing clients before public policy bodies, regulators, legislators, and experience engaging with partners, adverse parties, and dispute resolution professionals.
Experience analyzing, drafting, and advising on contracts, resolutions, ordinances, settlement agreements, memoranda, and correspondence.
Ability to assume responsibility quickly and to work independently and efficiently.
Excellent oral and written communication.
Ability to manage and appropriately balance an active and varied workload, and adjust to occasional workload increases.
Ability to work directly with the client in a collaborative manner while maintaining appropriate professional objectivity.
Ability to exercise good judgment, multi-task, and meet deadlines.
Strong interpersonal skills and a positive attitude.
Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Desire and ability to work successfully as part of a team.