(1-year position, with possibility of extension or full-time employee status)
TURN Description:
TURN is a California nonprofit organization that promotes racial and economic equity advancement through regulatory and legislative work to achieve affordable, clean and safe energy utility services that meet the needs of today and beyond. At several levels of government, either directly or through coalitions, TURN advocates for sustainable energy and climate policies at affordable rates, especially for low-income households, communities of color, immigrants, and rural communities. A respected consumer voice for 50 years in the California State Legislature, the CPUC, and other forums, TURN is successful through its combined talent of attorneys, policy analysts, economists, and community organizing professionals.
Job Overview:
The Utility Reform Network (TURN) seeks an Energy Legal Fellow committed to racial and economic justice to join TURN’s Energy Team of high-impact regulatory policy advocates. TURN’s Energy Team attorneys practice primarily before the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to advance the clean energy transition, with a focus on bill affordability and racial and economic equity, and to otherwise represent the interests of residential utility customers in California’s regulation of investor-owned utility companies. A strong applicant communicates effectively (in writing and orally) within the organization and with the public, is committed to economic and racial justice, is a proactive and creative problem solver, and collaborates with the team to submit timely regulatory agency filings or complete other work. This is a full-time exempt position that may require occasional after-business hours work to meet legislative or regulatory deadlines.
Areas of Responsibilities:
Working under the direction of the Managing Energy Attorney and with supervision by TURN’s Energy Team attorneys, the Energy Legal Fellow will:
Represent TURN Before the CPUC
The Energy Legal Fellow will be responsible for engaging in all aspects of participation in complex multi-party regulatory proceedings. These proceedings are before an administrative agency (the CPUC), not in court. Specifically, the Energy Legal Fellow will represent utility customers in CPUC proceedings by completing some or all of the following activities while under the supervision of a more senior attorney: drafting and filing legal pleadings that promote racial and economic equity in utility regulation, conducting legal and policy research, conducting and utilizing discovery, directing the work of expert consultants and witnesses, appearing in administrative hearings, conducting cross-examination, lobbying decision-makers, working with other consumer and community groups, and taking other forms of legal action.
Common topics of TURN’s advocacy include:Equitable and effective clean energy policies and utility accountability for clean energy expenditures;
Reasonable infrastructure investments for electric and natural gas utility services and utility accountability for investments in infrastructure, particularly for safety and reliability;
Equitable funding of utility expenditures;
Reasonable and affordable rates for residential electric and natural gas utility services, including access to essential utility services for low-income households, communities of color, immigrants, and rural communities.
The Energy Legal Fellow will also participate in regular Energy Team meetings to discuss key policy developments, review/adjust caseload assignments, forge alignment between TURN’s legal, organizing, and communications efforts, and develop overall political strategies for TURN’s advocacy at the California Public Utilities Commission, the state legislature and in other forums.
Support TURN’s Legislative Advocacy
The Energy Legal Fellow may be asked to analyze and recommend TURN’s position on relevant legislative proposals.Communicate TURN’s Positions to TURN’s Membership and the Public
The Energy Legal Fellow may be asked to write summaries and reports for the TURN website, online alerts, newsletters, and fundraising and program-related materials.
Minumun Requirements:
Graduate of an accredited school of law.
Admission to the bar in California or any jurisdiction within the United States, or awaiting bar results.
Commitment to economic and racial justice.
Ability to communicate effectively (in writing and orally) with all levels through the organization and the public.
Ability to work independently while managing a complex and varied caseload.
Ability to work as part of a team where appropriate.
Ability to solve problems, resolve conflicts, and communicate positively through teamwork.
Understanding of computer-based applications, including email, Microsoft Office, and Adobe.
Experience working with community and advocacy organizations.
The Energy Legal Fellow is expected to work in person in TURN’s Oakland Headquarters a minimum of two days a week.
Salary Range for Position:
The salary is $95,000 for this 1-year fellowship, plus benefits.
While this is a 1-year fellowship position, there may be an opportunity for the Energy Legal Fellow to remain with the organization based on available funding and success during the initial period. When the Energy Legal Fellow has completed 9 of the 12 months of the fellowship, TURN will inform the Energy Legal Fellow whether the opportunity exists to remain at TURN after the completion of fellowship. Transition into a full-time Energy attorney role is contingent upon the Energy Legal Fellow passing the California Bar Exam prior to the conclusion of the fellowship.
Vaccination Policy:
All TURN employees are required to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations in accordance with CDC recommended guidelines and must provide proof of vaccination, unless the TURN COVID Vaccination Committee approves a reasonable accommodation.
Application Process:
To apply, submit to acruz@turn.org the following:
Cover letter.
Resume.
Writing sample.
TURN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.
TURN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and during employment, in accordance with applicable laws.
