Job Posting No.: 26-01
OPEN: 10/30/2025
CLOSE: Until Filled
External Affairs Specialist
(Government Relations Specialist III)
Monthly Salary: $8,334 – $10,000
(Commensurate with Qualifications)
GENERAL DESCRIPTION:
The External Affairs Specialist will work directly for the Public Counsel at the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). The Specialist must have extensive knowledge of the Texas legislative process; experience with tracking, analyzing, and interpreting legislation; experience with coordinating interactions with the Texas Legislature, state government agencies, and stakeholders; experience with external communications; strong interpersonal and communications skills; strong writing skills; ability to exercise strong independent judgement and initiative; experience managing social media, preferably including content creation; and preferably some experience with electricity and water utility matters and ERCOT regulatory matters.
ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES:
1. Directs OPUC’s Chief Executive and Public Counsel and other staff with matters at the Texas Legislature and state agencies.
2. Responsible for monitoring and tracking pending legislation and other legislative activities at the Texas Legislature, including attending and reporting on legislative committee hearings and stakeholder meetings.
3. Responsible for monitoring regulatory matters with the Director of Market and Regulatory Policy, including attending ERCOT stakeholder meetings and board meetings.
4. Directs and manages the coordination and preparation of educational materials for meetings with legislative members and staff, state government agencies, and stakeholders.
5. Directs and coordinates with the preparation of testimony for legislative hearings.
6. Directs the coordination and preparation of presentations for public speaking engagements, conferences, and other events.
7. Directs and manages with consumer outreach efforts, including managing and creating content for the agency’s social media and website.
8. Directs and coordinates with the preparation of responses to legislative, public, and media inquiries.
9. Assists OPUC’s Chief Executive & Public Counsel and the Director of Market and Regulatory Policy in the representation of the residential consumer segment at ERCOT, including participation or monitoring of ERCOT committees, stakeholder groups, and task forces.
10. Monitors, analyzes, and reports on ERCOT market rule changes, activities, and discussions in concert with the Director of Market and Regulatory Policy.
11. Serves as the agency’s primary contact for responding to customer complaints and inquiries, and is responsible for coordinating and administering the agency’s complaint resolution process.
12. Acquires and maintains relevant knowledge necessary to perform essential job functions.
13. Coordinates and prepares analysis, research, and the preparation of written summaries and reports related to various regulatory, market, and legislative matters, including the agency Strategic Plan and Annual Report.
14. Shall participate in projects, such as rulemaking or policy discussions, with other staff on behalf of OPUC.
15. Assists in representation in complex rulemaking proceedings, including analyzing and interpreting existing rules and proposed rule amendments; developing comments, and working with other attorneys and/or staff assigned to the proceeding.
16. Attends work regularly in compliance with agreed-upon work schedule.
17. Ensures security and confidentiality of sensitive and/or protected information.
18. Complies with all agency policies and procedures.
19. Performs other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
1. Bachelor’s Degree in political science, public policy, communications, or other related field from an accredited university or college.
2. A minimum of 3 years of legislative experience at the Texas Legislature or in a Texas state government agency.
3. Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively; to compose social media content; to work in a collaborative, team environment with varied, diverse individuals; to analyze issues; to work under pressure and meet deadlines; and to follow delegated instructions and perform work as assigned under a moderate or minimal supervision.
PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:
1. Direct experience working during a Texas legislative session, either in a legislative member’s office or in a committee.
2. Experience with electric and water utility matters and ERCOT regulatory matters.
MILITARY OCCUPATION CODES:
https://hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_InformationandCommunication.pdf
REMARKS:
• Candidates invited to interview may be required to submit a transcript and/or a writing sample.
• The position may require additional work hours including evenings, weekends, and/or holidays to meet critical deadlines.
• OPUC participates in E-verify and will provide to the Social Security Administration (SSA) and, if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), with information from each new employee’s Form I-9 to confirm work authorization.
• A satisfactory driving record may be required for driving a state or personal vehicle to conduct agency business. Employees may have their driving record evaluated.
• Employees are required to comply with Office policies and provisions outlined in the employee handbook.
• The Office of Public Utility Counsel has a Post-Employment Restriction – details furnished upon request.
APPLICATION:
Send State of Texas application and references to:
Office of Public Utility Counsel
ATTN: HR Department
P.O. Box 12397
Austin, TX 78711-2397
Phone: 512-936-7500
Fax: 512-936-7525
Email: HR_OPUC@opuc.texas.gov
The Office of Public Utility Counsel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, veteran status, age or disability in employment or the provision of services. A disabled individual requiring reasonable accommodation shall not be denied opportunity due to the disability. The applicant should communicate requests for reasonable accommodation.