By Carol A. Clark

The New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (PRC) is seeking applicants to fill two vacancies on the agency’s leadership team – Chief of Staff and Chief General Counsel. These positions are essential to supporting and advancing the PRC’s work in regulating public utilities, telecommunications, pipelines, and motor carrier industries to ensure that customers pay fair and reasonable rates and receive safe and reliable services.  

Reporting to PRC Commissioners, the Chief of Staff provides administrative oversight of the agency’s mission and goals, including the supervision of division directors and other key members of the agency’s staff. The position also gives recommendations to Commissioners, ensures successful operation of agency divisions, directs administrative activities for agency divisions, contributes to the management of agency budgets, and is responsible for final decisions in personnel matters. Other duties include analyzing and offering guidance on legislative initiatives to Commissioners as well as representing Commissioners in legislative matters related to the operation and regulatory authority of the PRC.

The Chief General Counsel advises Commissioners on regulatory matters, including rulemakings and adjudicatory proceedings involving the regulation of electric and gas utilities, telecommunications providers, and motor carriers. This position also represents the PRC in federal and state courts as well as oversees the day-to-day operations of the Office of General Counsel, including case management and assignment. The position requires extensive knowledge of administrative law practice and procedures and of substantive law in the areas regulated by the Commission, and an ability to draft clear, concise legal documents, as well as to prioritize within a demanding workload environment.