Deputy Small Business Advocate (Attorney 5)
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Deputy Small Business Advocate (Attorney 5)
Salary
$114,974.00 - $174,729.00 Annually
Location
Dauphin County, PA
Job Type
Non-Civil Service Permanent Full-time
Job Number
N-2026-45333
Department
Department of Community & Economic Development
Division
CE Off Small Bus Advct
Opening Date
03/24/2026
Closing Date
4/7/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Job Code
07160
Position Number
00211531
Union
Non Union
Bargaining Unit
A3
Pay Group
ST12
Bureau / Division Code
00247001
Bureau / Division
Office of Small Business Advocate
Worksite Address
555 Walnut Street, 1st Floor
City
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Zip Code
17101
Contact Name
DCED HR Office
Contact Email
RA-DCHRACTIONS@pa.gov
Description
Benefits
Questions
THE POSITION
The Office of Small Business Advocate (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/osba) (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.
DESCRIPTION OF WORK
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 (https://careers.employment.pa.gov/pd/PD_NEOGOV.asp?p=00211531) .
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.
REQUIRED EXPERIENCE, TRAINING & ELIGIBILITY
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 willnot 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 (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/hrmoa/resources/generative-ai-hiring-guidance) 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.
Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS):
711 (hearing and speech disabilities or other individuals).
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.
Learn more about our Total Rewards by watching this shortvideo (https://www.youtube.com/embed/HtcSRnndflc?rel=0) !
See the total value of your benefits package by exploring ourbenefits calculator.
Health & Wellness
We offer multiple health plans so our employees can choose what works best for themselves and their families. Our comprehensive benefits package includes health coverage, vision, dental, and wellness programs.*
Compensation & Financial Planning
We invest in our employees by providing competitive wages and encouraging financial wellness by offering multiple ways to save money and ensure peace of mind including multiple retirement and investment plan options.
Work/Life Balance
We know there's more to life than just work! Our generous paid leave benefits include paid vacation, paid sick leave, eight weeks of paid parental leave, military leave, and paid time off for most major U.S. holidays, as well as flexible work schedules and work-from-home opportunities.*
Values and Culture
We believe in the work we do and provide continual opportunities for our employees to grow and contribute to the greater good. As one of the largest employers in the state, we provide opportunities for internal mobility, professional development, and the opportunity to give back by participating in workplace charitable giving.
Employee Perks
Sometimes, it is the little "extras" that make a big difference. Our employees receive special employee-only discounts and rates on a variety of services and memberships.
For more information on all of these Total Rewards benefits, please visitwww.employment.pa.gov and click on the benefits box.
*Eligibility rules apply.
01
Are you admitted to Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania?
Yes, you must submit a copy of your certificate.
No, but I am licensed to practice in a state with reciprocity. You must submit your license number and expiration.
No, but I have completed all preparatory steps and application to become a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania. You must submit proof of completion of the preparatory steps and application to become a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
No
02
If you responded Yes, you must submit a copy of your Certificate for review. If you answered No, please @type N/A in the text box below.
03
Have you graduated from an accredited school of law? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visitingwww.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
Yes
No
04
How many years of full-time professional legal experience do you possess?
10 years or more
9 but less than 10 years
8 but less than 9 years
Less than 8 years
None
05
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
06
Have you completed any post-graduate coursework in law? If you are claiming credits/degree, you must upload a copy of your college transcript(s) for this education to be considered in the eligibility decision. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable. You must attach your transcript(s) prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a transcript(s) to the application after it has been submitted.
If you answer "Yes" to this question based on education acquired outside of the United States, you must upload a copy of your foreign credential evaluation report. We can only accept foreign credential evaluations from organizations that are members of the National Association of Credential Services (NACES). A list of current NACES members can be found by visitingwww.naces.organd clicking the Evaluation Services Link.
You must attach your documentation prior to the submission of your application by using the "Attachments" tab on the left. You will not be able to add a document to the application after it has been submitted.
Yes
No
07
Additional Requirement:Do you possess at least eight years of public utility law and supervisory/leadership experience?
Yes
No
08
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
09
Additional Requirement:Do you possess at least five years of litigation and settlement negotiation experience?
Yes
No
10
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experience must also be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
11
Additional Requirement:Do you have experience leading attorneys, legal teams, and managing complex regulatory matters while ensuring accountability, high performance, and professional development among staff?
Yes
No
12
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
13
Additional Requirement:Do you have experience analyzing and applying complex statutes, regulations, or policies to advance your organization's mission?
Yes
No
14
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
15
Additional Requirement:Do you have experience helping shape or influence policy or regulatory decisions while balancing legal risk, public interest, and organizational priorities?
Yes
No
16
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
17
Additional Requirement:Do you have experience advising senior leadership on high-impact legal or regulatory matters while presenting complex issues in a clear, persuasive, and actionable manner?
Yes
No
18
If you are claiming experience in the above question, please list the employer(s) where you gained this experience in the text box below. The employer(s) and a description of the experiencemustalso be included in the appropriate sections of your application if you would like the experience to be considered in the eligibility decision. If you claimed you do not have experience, @type N/A in the text box below.
19
Preferred Qualification:Do you possess four or more years of experience in administrative law, public policy, or consumer protection?
Yes
No
Required Question
Employer
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
Address
613 North Street
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 17120
Website
http://www.employment.pa.gov
