We’re hiring: Paid part-time legal intern (fall semester 2022)

Published April 7, 2022

The Citizens Utility Board of Minnesota (CUB) is the independent advocate for Minnesota utility consumers. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit consumer advocate, CUB serves two primary functions. First, we represent the interests of Minnesota consumers to influence policy (including regulatory and legislative activities) affecting Minnesota’s public utilities. We advocate before the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) and the state legislature. Our goal is to help ensure all Minnesotans have equal access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy – and to ensure consumers benefit from the transition away from fossil fuels to renewable energy resources. Second, CUB serves as a resource for people with energy-related questions. We educate consumers on resources, technologies, and programs designed to help them make their energy usage more efficient and more affordable, and we assist Minnesotans at risk of utility shutoff.

Job description

The intern will primarily support CUB’s policy work by engaging in legal research and writing and assisting CUB’s efforts to engage in and prepare for dockets under review by the PUC. For example, we might ask the intern to: (1) read numerous parties’ comments filed in a PUC docket and produce a concise summary of those comments; (2) research and write a memo describing how other state utilities commissions have addressed a novel legal question presented in a docket before the PUC; (3) research other states’ existing laws that relate to a legislative initiative being addressed by the legislature; (4) summarize the effects and requirements of new energy-related legislation passed by, or likely to pass, the Minnesota legislature in 2022; and (5) draft blog posts about policy-related initiatives CUB has participated in. When possible, we will invite the intern to observe proceedings before the Minnesota PUC and help us prepare any written or spoken comments we contribute to those proceedings.

The intern will also have opportunities to work with our outreach and communications staff to learn more about CUB’s various initiatives to engage with and assist Minnesota’s residential energy consumers.

Senior Regulatory Advocate, Brian Edstrom, will be the intern’s primary supervisor.

Qualifications

The intern must have completed at least two semesters of law school and have an interest in public utilities, energy law and policy, and consumer protection. Relevant experience or coursework is preferred but not required.

Details and compensation

This is a part-time internship: 10-20 hours per week from September through December 2022.

The internship is compensated at $17 per hour. CUB provides a cell phone stipend and a transportation stipend to help with costs associated with traveling to the office (as long we continue to work in person). If applicable, CUB will work with the intern to complete any paperwork necessary to receive class credit for the experience. 

We expect the intern will be working in a hybrid environment. Currently, staff mainly works remotely, and works from CUB’s St. Paul office approximately one day a week. While in the office, the intern must be willing to follow COVID protocols established by our landlord. 

To apply

Send a cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript, and list of three references. Please combine all documents into one PDF and sent to: Brian Edstrom (briane@cubminnesota.org). 

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled.