Deputy Small Business Advocate (Attorney 5)

Full Job Description

The Office of Small Business Advocate (OSBA) ensures that small businesses across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania have access to safe, reliable, equitable, and affordable water, wastewater, gas, electric, and telecommunications utility services. As the only office of its kind in the nation, OSBA represents the interests of small business consumers with 250 employees or fewer in regulated utility matters before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC), federal regulatory agencies, and state and federal courts.

The Deputy Small Business Advocate (Attorney 5) is a senior leadership position that supports and advises the Small Business Advocate while providing strategic oversight of litigation, regulatory advocacy, and mission-driven initiatives. This role strengthens OSBA's presence across the energy and utility sectors at the local, state, and national levels.

OSBA seeks a seasoned, mission driven attorney to lead high impact litigation and regulatory advocacy before the PUC and appellate courts, while helping shape statewide utility policy, legislation, and rulemaking. The Deputy Small Business Advocate supervises and mentors a team of attorneys, collaborates closely with executive leadership, and represents OSBA in regulatory proceedings, stakeholder forums, and conferences. Ideal candidates are strategic legal leaders with strong regulatory or litigation experience and a commitment to public service and small business advocacy.

Requirements

As Deputy Small Business Advocate, you will be responsible for the following duties:

• Lead, supervise, and mentor attorneys and legal staff in developing legal positions on complex regulatory filings, rate cases, and related proceedings.
• Provide strategic oversight of expert witnesses, including coordinating testimony, exhibits, and analyses, and preparing witnesses for depositions and cross-examination.
• Oversee and, when necessary, conduct cross-examination of expert witnesses during evidentiary hearings.
• Direct and review trial-level and appellate motions, briefs, pleadings, and other legal filings to ensure consistency and alignment with OSBA’s mission.
• Represent OSBA, or supervise representation, in evidentiary hearings before the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission.
• Lead OSBA’s participation in PUC rulemaking proceedings by providing legal and policy guidance and coordinating agency positions.
• Ensure effective assistance to small business consumers in both formal and informal complaint proceedings before the PUC.
• Travel throughout the Commonwealth to represent OSBA at educational programs, outreach events, regulatory meetings, and stakeholder engagements.
• Serve as a senior liaison to regulators, stakeholders, and partner agencies to advance OSBA’s legal and policy priorities.
• Perform related duties as assigned in support of OSBA’s mission.

Interested in learning more? Additional details regarding this position can be found in the position description.

Work Schedule and Additional Information:

• Full-time employment
• Work hours are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday - Friday, with a 60-minute lunch.

Telework: You may have the opportunity to telework on a part-time basis. Telework options will be further discussed with your direct supervisor.

In order to telework, you must have a securely configured high-speed internet connection and work from an approved location inside Pennsylvania.

If you are unable to telework, you will have the option to report to the headquarters office in Harrisburg. The ability to telework is subject to change at any time.

Additional details may be provided during the interview.

• Salary: In some cases, the starting salary may be non-negotiable.
• You will receive further communication regarding this position via email. Check your email, including spam/junk folders, for these notices.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS

Minimum Experience and Training Requirements:

• Ten years of professional legal experience and graduation from an accredited school of law; or
• An equivalent combination of experience and training.

Post Employment Requirement:

• Applicants must be certified for admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and must maintain membership on a continuous basis during employment.

Additional Requirements:

• You must have eight or more years of public utility law and supervisory/leadership experience.
• You must have five or more years of litigation and settlement negotiation experience.
• You must have experience leading attorneys, legal teams, and managing complex regulatory matters while ensuring accountability, high performance, and professional development among staff.
• You must have experience analyzing and applying complex statutes, regulations, or policies to advance your organization’s mission.
• You must have experience helping shape or influence policy or regulatory decisions while balancing legal risk, public interest, and organizational priorities.
• You must have experience advising senior leadership on a high-impact legal or regulatory matters while presenting complex issues in a clear, persuasive, and actionable manner.
• You must be able to perform essential job functions.

Preferred Qualifications (not required):

• Four or more years of experience in administrative law, public policy, or consumer protection.

How to Apply:

Resumes, cover letters, and similar documents will not be reviewed, and the information contained therein will not be considered for the purposes of determining your eligibility for the position.

Information to support your eligibility for the position must be provided on the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education).

If you are claiming education in your answers to the supplemental application questions, you must attach a copy of your college transcripts for your claim to be accepted toward meeting the minimum requirements. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.

Your application must be submitted by the posting closing date. Late applications and other required materials will not be accepted.

Failure to comply with the above application requirements may eliminate you from consideration for this position.

All application materials and interview responses must reflect the applicant’s own experience, qualifications, and work. Applicants may use generative AI tools for preparation purposes only.

Use of AI to misrepresent or falsify information, or to assist during interviews, is not permitted. Review the Guidance for Generative AI Tools & Job Seekers for additional information.

Veterans:

• Pennsylvania law (51 Pa. C.S. §7103) provides employment preference for qualified veterans for appointment to many state and local government jobs. To learn more about employment preferences for veterans, go to www.pa.gov/agencies/employment/how-to-apply.html and click on Veterans.
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Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):

• 711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
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If you are contacted for an interview and need accommodations due to a disability, please discuss your request for accommodations with the interviewer in advance of your interview date.

The Commonwealth is an equal employment opportunity employer and is committed to a diverse workforce.

The Commonwealth values inclusion as we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most qualified people to serve the citizens of Pennsylvania.

The Commonwealth does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, ancestry, union membership, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, AIDS or HIV status, disability, or any other categories protected by applicable federal or state law.

All diverse candidates are encouraged to apply.