What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Attorney- ALJ (Attorney 1-3) position at PSC-Public Service Commission?
$4,694.00 - $9,211.00 Monthly
Baton Rouge, LA
Classified
227216
PSC-Public Service Commission
10/09/2026
10/23/2026 11:59 PM Central
About this Job
The Louisiana Public Service Commission (LPSC) is a constitutionally created regulatory agency dedicated to serving the public interest. The LPSC’s mission is to impartially, equitably, and efficiently regulate the rates and service of public utilities and common carriers operating in the State so as to ensure: safe, reliable, and reasonably priced services for consumers and provide the opportunity for a fair rate of return for the regulated utilities and common carriers; and to carry out legislative mandates.
We’re looking for an Attorney 1 to serve as Research Attorney in the Commission's Administrative Hearings Division, providing legal and technical research, writing, and organizational assistance to the administrative law judges overseeing the Commission's adjudicatory matters. The Division handles complex regulatory cases involving the infrastructure, processes, and finances of the electric, gas, water, sewer, telecommunications, railroad, and transportation industries.
This job is a great opportunity to learn the ropes of public utility and common carrier regulation in Louisiana, hone your legal research and writing skills, and observe trial litigation!
Minimum Qualifications
Job Specification
The official job specifications for this role, as defined by the State Civil Service, can be found here.
Job Duties and Other Information
Job Duties:
As an Attorney 1, you will:
- Be assigned to every matter before the Division, along with one of the three administrative law judges.
- The research attorney assists the administrative law judges throughout the duration of each matter by maintaining case charts, conducting any necessary legal or technical research, drafting documents (including rulings, notices, reports, recommendations, and orders), and preparing confidential memoranda. The research attorney also assists the administrative law judges with calendaring docket-related events and deadlines in Outlook.
- The research attorney is expected to attend hearings and status conferences and prepare draft reports/rulings, etc.
- The research attorney acts as a liaison between the parties and the assigned administrative law judge, responding to procedural questions of the parties in a proceeding.
Position-Specific Details:
Appointment Type: Probational and Promotional
Career Progression: This position participates in a Career Progression Group (CPG). This position provides the opportunity to advance within the job series Attorney 1-3.
Work Schedule: Work hours are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday-Friday.
Compensation: This position has a Special Entrance Rate (SER) as follows: Attorney 1, the SER is $2,426.40 biweekly.
How To Apply:
No Civil Service test score is required in order to be considered for this vacancy.
Applicants are responsible for checking the status of their application to determine where they are in the recruitment process. Further status message information is located under the Information section of the Current Job Opportunities page.
- Information to support your eligibility for the position must be included in the application (i.e., relevant, detailed experience/education). Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of completed education and experience sections. Applications may be rejected if incomplete.
Contact Information:
For further information about this vacancy contact:
Sara Simpson
Louisiana Public Service Commission
Sara.simpson@la.gov
Louisiana is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) that supports the recruitment, hiring, and retention of individuals with disabilities.
As a state employee, you will earn competitive pay, choose from a variety of benefits, and have access to a great professional development program:
Insurance Coverage More information can be found at https://info.groupbenefits.org/
Parental Leave – Up to six weeks paid parental leave
More information can be found at https://www.civilservice.louisiana.gov/Parental-Leave/Default.aspx
Holidays and Leave – State employees receive the following paid holidays each year:
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day,
- Mardi Gras,
- Good Friday,
- Memorial Day,
- Independence Day,
- Labor Day,
- Veteran's Day,
- Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
State employees earn sick and annual leave which can be accumulated and saved for future use. Your accrual rate increases as your years of service increase.
Retirement – State of Louisiana employees are eligible to participate in various retirement systems (based on the type of appointment and agency for which an employee works). These retirement systems provide retirement allowances and other benefits for state officers and employees and their beneficiaries. State retirement systems may include (but are not limited to):
- Louisiana State Employees Retirement System (www.lasersonline.org). LASERS has provided this video to give you more detailed information about their system
- Teacher's Retirement System of Louisiana (www.trsl.org),
- Louisiana School Employees Retirement System (www.lsers.net), among others
Salary : $4,694 - $9,211