Exam Bulletin - Administrative Law Judge, PUC

Public Utilities Commission

Exam Code: EX-2462

Examination Plans Included:

  • ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - Open

Final Filing Date: Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.

Bulletin Updates

  • Continuous filing dates have been added.
  • Continuous filing dates have been changed.

Classification Details

ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION: $10,280.00 - $14,180.00 per Month

View the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION classification specification.

Application Instructions

Upcoming Filing Cutoff Dates:

  • 3/5/2025
  • 7/16/2025
  • 10/1/2025

Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) must be received or postmarked by the filing date indicated above. Applications postmarked, personally delivered or received via interoffice mail after the filing date will be processed in the next group.

Who Should Apply:

The information below will help you determine which classification(s) is(are) appropriate for you. Applicants must meet the Minimum Qualifications as stated on this bulletin to compete in this examination.

Open and Open, Non-Promotional Examination(s):

  • ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION - Open

For all Classifications, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

    2462

For ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION, once you have participated in any of the following examinations, you may not recompete for 12 months:

Exam Code(s):

  • EX-02462

How To Apply:

Submit an Examination/Employment Application (STD 678) to apply for this examination.

Electronic applications can be submitted through your account at www.CalCareers.ca.gov.

You may apply by mail to:

  • Human Resources Division
    Public Utilities Commission
    Examination/Selection Unit
    505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
    San Francisco, CA 94102

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678).

You may drop off your application and any applicable or required documents at:

  • Public Utilities Commission
    Examination/Selection Unit
    505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
    San Francisco, CA 94102
    8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
    Contact Email: pucexams@cpuc.ca.gov

Indicate the Examination Code and Classification(s) on your Examination/Employment Application (STD 678). All applicants must provide proof of identification. Accepted forms of identification are: 1) a photo identification card or 2) two forms of signed identification.

Special Testing Arrangements:

If you require assistance or alternative testing arrangements due to a disability, indicate on your application that you need reasonable accommodation. You will be contacted by a representative of the testing department to make the necessary arrangements. If you have not been contacted by the time you receive notification of testing, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

If you are unable to submit your application or complete the test due to a disability, please contact the testing department listed in the Contact section of this bulletin.

Minimum Qualifications

All applicants must meet the education and/or experience requirements as stated on this exam bulletin to be accepted to the examination.

Unless otherwise stated in the Minimum Qualifications, qualifying experience may be combined on a proportionate basis if the requirements stated below include more than one pattern and are distinguished as "Either" 1, "or" 2, "or" 3, etc. For example, applicants possessing qualifying experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 1 and additional experience amounting to 50% of the required time of Pattern 2 may be accepted to an examination as meeting 100% of the overall experience requirement.

00106103 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

One year of experience in the California Public Utilities Commission at a level of responsibility comparable to Senior Transportation Representative performing one or a combination of the following:

1. The presentation of exhibits or evidence, or the examination of witnesses, at Public Utilities Commission Hearings. or

2. The preparation of proposed decisions of the Public Utilities Commission. or

3. The rendering of responsible assistance to a commissioner in reviewing, evaluating and recommending action to be taken by the Commissioner, or in the preparation for or hearing of cases coming for formal hearing before the Commissioner or Commission, or in the preparation of decisions by the Commissioner or Commission. or

Experience: Five years of experience within the last ten years performing one or a combination of the following: (Experience in the California state service applied toward this requirement must have been at a level of responsibility comparable to Senior Transportation Representative.)

1. The presentation of exhibits or evidence, the examination of witnesses, or the preparation of proposed decisions for a trial court or quasi-judicial body. or

2. As a member or hearing officer of a quasi-judicial body.

This experience must have included or been supplemented by one year of technical or professional experience in the gas, electric, communications, water, transportation, or an allied utility industry. and

Education: Equivalent to graduation from college. (Additional qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education on a year-for-year basis.)

* Experience in the "practice of law" or "performing legal duties" is defined as: (1) only that legal experience acquired after admission to any State Bar, or (2) experience as a judicial clerk for a federal court, California's state courts, or any other state's courts, or (3) legal experience acquired while practicing under a provisional license to practice law issued by the State Bar of California's Provisional Licensure Program, to constitute experience in the practice of law. For an individual's judicial clerkship to qualify as experience in the practice of law or performing legal duties, the experience must have been gained after receipt of a Juris Doctor or equivalent degree.

Position Description

00106103 - ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION

This class specification describes the Administrative Law Judge, Public Utilities Commission classification that acts as presiding officer at hearings and processes ex parte matters on complaints or applications filed with the Public Utilities Commission or investigations instituted by the Commission; instructs parties as to their rights; issues subpoenas, administers oaths, examines witnesses, and receives documentary evidence; rules on exceptions, motions, and admissibility of evidence; hears arguments, directs or permits the filing of briefs, and makes rulings prior to submission of assigned matters; consults with staff members on technical subjects; analyzes pleadings in preparation for hearings; determines the advisability of and holds prehearing conferences; analyzes and evaluates facts and law and exercises independent judgment in the preparation and issuance of reports and findings; prepares and recommends drafts of opinions, orders, and recommendations for consideration by the Commission.

 

Positions are located in San Francisco, Sacramento, and/or Los Angeles depending on Department needs.

*Administrative Law Judges who complete a National Judicial College (NJC) certificated course related to administrative law adjudication or twenty (20) hours of judicial education or certification as approved by the employee's department shall receive a monthly differential of five percent (5%) of their salary. Equivalency shall be determined by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) based on recommendations from the employee's department.

Impartiality, judicial temperament, emotional stability, clear enunciation, neat personal appearance, and pleasing personality.

For information regarding position location(s), please refer to the Eligible List Information section.

Examination Information

This examination consists of the following component(s):

Component OrderComponent TypeComponent DuePercentage of Final Score
1WrittenAfter Acceptance100%

A final score of 70% must be attained to be placed on the eligible list.

The PUC reserves the right to modify the selection process as necessary to conform to administrative or business necessity.


This examination consists of the following components:

This examination will consist of a written performance exercise weighted 100%. In order to obtain a position on the eligible list, a minimum rating of 70% must be attained in the examination process. Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, will be sent an e-mail notice with a link to complete the examination online, which is designed to identify a range of information regarding each candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and experience to effectively perform the duties required in the classification.

Candidates must complete the examination online by the date specified on the notice in order to be rated. Candidates failing to complete the examination by the specified date and time shall be eliminated from the rating process. A panel of subject matter experts will evaluate competitor responses using job-related rating and scoring criteria.


In addition to evaluating the applicant's relative knowledge, skill and ability as demonstrated by quality and breadth of education/experience, emphasis in each test component will be on measuring competitively, relative to job demands, each applicant's:

Knowledge of: Law governing the Public Utilities Commission, the law administered by it, and the judicial interpretation of such laws; the rules and regulations of the Public Utilities Commission; the conduct of formal hearings and proceedings; the rules of evidence and procedure before the Public Utilities Commission; administrative and constitutional law applicable to the Public Utilities Commission; the basic principles of organization, structure, and financing of public utilities; transportation economics, rate structure, and classification; valuation of Public Utility properties, and rate-fixing procedures.

 

Ability to: Conduct formal hearings and proceedings; do basic research on problems arising in connection with hearings; analyze a variety of problems in the light of applicable principles and precedents and exercise independent judgment in arriving at findings of fact and law; make accurate summaries of evidence and prepare examiners' reports, opinions, and findings; present written statements of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically; conduct fair and impartial hearings; analyze situations accurately and take effective action.

Eligible List Information

A Departmental Open eligible list for the ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE, PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION Classification will be established for:

  • Public Utilities Commission

The names of successful competitors will be merged onto the eligible list(s) in order of final score regardless of test date. Eligibility expires 24 months after it is established. Applicants must then retake the examination to reestablish eligibility.

Resulting Eligibility List(s) will be used to fill vacancies throughout the State of California.

Veterans' Preference will be granted for this examination. Veterans' Preference is an assistance program for veterans, veteran widows and widowers, and spouses of 100% disabled veterans who seek employment with the state. Veterans' Preference is also extended to currently serving military members nearing their retirement or separation date.

You are not eligible for Veteran's Preference if you are:

  • A veteran who has been dishonorably discharged or released.
  • A veteran, widow or widower of a veteran, or spouse of a 100 percent disabled veteran who currently has permanent civil service status. (Permanent civil service status is the status of an employee who is lawfully retained in his/her position after completion of the applicable probationary period. This does not include limited term).

Veterans' Preference is codified in Government Code Sections 18973 – 18979.

Veteran status is verified by the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR). Directions to apply for Veterans' Preference are on the Veterans' Preference Application (Std. Form 1093), which is available at www.CalCareers.ca.gov, and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Career Credits are not granted for examination(s) administered on an Open basis or a Promotional basis.

Testing Departments

  • Public Utilities Commission

Contact Information

Questions regarding this examination should be directed to:

Public Utilities Commission
Human Resources Division
Examination/Selection Unit
505 Van Ness Ave, Room 3008
San Francisco, CA 94102
Phone:
pucexams@cpuc.ca.gov

California Relay Service: 1-800-735-2929 (TTY), 1-800-735-2922 (Voice). TTY is a Telecommunications Device for the Deaf, and is reachable only from phones equipped with a TTY Device.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of California is an equal opportunity employer to all, regardless of age, ancestry, color, disability (mental and physical), exercising the right to family care and medical leave, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, military or veteran status, national origin, political affiliation, race, religious creed, sex (includes pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding and related medical conditions), and sexual orientation.

Drug Free Statement

It is an objective of the State of California to achieve a drug-free State work place. Any applicant for State employment will be expected to behave in accordance with this objective, because the use of illegal drugs is inconsistent with the law of the State, the rules governing civil service, and the special trust placed in public servants.

General Information

Examination and/or Employment Application (STD 678) forms are available at the California Department of Human Resources, local offices of the Employment Development Department, and through your CalCareer Account (www.CalCareers.ca.gov).

If you meet the requirements stated on this examination bulletin, you may take this examination, which is competitive. Possession of the entrance requirements does not assure a place on the eligible list. Your performance in the examination described in this bulletin will be rated against a predetermined job-related rating, and all applicants who pass will be ranked according to their scores.

Public Utilities Commission reserves the right to revise the examination plan to better meet the needs of the service, if the circumstances under which this examination was planned change. Such revision will be in accordance with civil service laws and rules and all applicants will be notified.

General Qualifications: Applicants must possess essential personal qualifications including integrity, initiative, dependability, good judgment, the ability to work cooperatively with others, and a state of health consistent with the ability to perform the assigned duties of the class. A medical examination may be required. In open examinations, investigation may be made of employment records and personal history and fingerprinting may be required.

Eligible Lists: Eligible lists established by competitive examination, regardless of date, must be used in the following order: 1) sub-divisional promotional, 2) departmental promotional, 3) multi-departmental promotional, 4) service-wide promotional, 5) departmental open, 6) open. When there are two lists of the same kind, the older must be used first. Eligible lists will expire in one to four years unless otherwise stated on the bulletin.

High School Equivalence: Equivalence to completion of the 12th grade may be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: 1) passing the General Education Development (GED) Test; 2) completion of 12 semester units of college-level work; 3) certification from the State Department of Education, a local school board, or high school authorities that the competitor is considered to have education equivalent to graduation from high school; or 4) for clerical and accounting classes, substitution of business college work in place of high school on a year-for-year basis.

Accepted applicants must provide proof of identification at each in-person test session. Acceptable identification consists of a photo identification card or two forms of signed identification.

Application Methods:
Electronic (Your CalCareer Account)
By Mail
In Person (see bulletin for details)
Alternate Application Process

While we recommend that you utilize your CalCareer Account to take advantage of all the tools available, you may choose to apply for this examination without using your account. In this case, print and complete the Exam Application Package Checklist and include it if you submit a hard copy application.

Exam Application Package Checklist

Blank Application Form (STD678)

Accommodation Request (STD679)