**Description**
The Nebraska Public Service Commission is an agency of thoughtful
professionals committed to advocating for the public we serve and industries
we regulate. We are seeking an experienced, motivated and growth mindset
professional to provide legal support for our Telecom/Nebraska Universal
Service Fund (NUSF) Department’s administration of Federal broadband funding
for broadband planning, deployment, mapping, equity, and adoption projects
under the Broadband Equity, Access & Deployment Program (BEAD) and the
Coronavirus Capital Projects Fund (CPF).
The Broadband Equity Attorney will provide guidance and assistance with
developing policies and procedures that meet legal requirements of federal
grants administered by the Commission. The Attorney will work on a wide range
of legal matters such as contract drafting and review, compliance, and
procurement, and collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to
implement equitable broadband deployment in unserved and underserved
communities.
Translatable/transferable skill may be taken into account. Applicants with
passion, drive, and a desire to learn the rest may be considered.
Salary: $90,000 - $100,000 per year, commensurate with experience.
*****This position is federally funded and is expected to expire in 2027.
*****
**Examples of Work**
The Broadband Equity Attorney shall assist the Telecom/NUSF Director and the
Executive Director by:
* Drafting legislation, rules and regulations, policies and procedures, contracts, and other necessary legal documents related to federally-funded broadband programs for the Telecom/NUSF Department.
* Researching and preparing orders issued by the Commission.
* Coordinating, appearing, and participating in Commission hearings, meetings, and conferences.
* Prosecuting regulated entities for violations of statutes and Commission regulations.
* Developing a technical understanding of the telecommunications industry, newer telecommunications technologies, and broadband sufficient to provide legal guidance on federal and state laws, regulations, and policies and procedures for statewide broadband deployment.
* Partner with the Telecom/NUSF Director in the administration of federal broadband grant funding, including development of contract templates and negotiation of terms and conditions.
* Coordinating with state and federal agencies and other stakeholders to deploy broadband across Nebraska.
* Monitoring activity and orders issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the National Telecommunications and Information Administration, the U.S. Department of the Treasury, and other relevant entities to ensure federal grant compliance.
**Qualifications / Requirements**
REQUIREMENTS: Candidates must have graduated from an accredited law school,
must be licensed to practice in Nebraska, AND have five (5) or more years of
related work experience. Resumes and writing samples required.
PREFERRED: Eight (8) years' related work experience, including working with
Nebraska Government and/or with the telecommunications industry. Experience
with grants, legislation, rules and regulations, contract preparation and
review, and requests for proposal preferred. Technological aptitude sufficient
to provide legal support for a dynamic and developing department. Requires the
ability to manage a variety of responsibilities and coordinate with
colleagues.
**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**
Knowledge of: the principles and practices of civil law administration;
judicial procedures and rules of evidence; the principles and practices of
legal research; the procedures of trial and administrative hearings; the rules
and regulations established by the Federal Communications Commission related
to broadband internet; reporting requirements required for federal grant
programs; state and federal requirements for contracts and requests for
proposals.
Skill in: preparing summaries, legal analyses, findings, conclusions, briefs
and other legal documents. A decisive and effective negotiator, able to listen
and effectively communicate with groups and individuals from diverse
backgrounds; aptitude for new and emerging technologies sufficient to draft
rules and regulations, legislation, contracts and agreements, requests for
proposals, and policies and procedures.
Ability to: research federal, state and local laws and statutes and determine
applicability to the Commission; prepare and communicate facts and arguments
to persuade others to accept the viewpoint presented; interact with legal
associates, other government employees, the public, and parties’
representatives; conduct legal research and investigations; prepare drafts of
legal documents and forms; identify critical elements of legal questions or
issues and select appropriate course of action; interpret and apply statues,
case law, decisions of judicial and administrative hearings, and
administrative rules and policies; communicate effectively, both orally and in
writing; and work under pressure, prioritize work, meet deadlines and multi-
task.
We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement
and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of
your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Check out all that the State of Nebraska has to offer! For more information on
benefits currently offered to permanent teammates, please visit:
http://statejobs.nebraska.gov/benefits.html