The Senior Counsel – Markets provides legal representation and support for units across the organization at Platte River Power Authority. This individual:
- supports Platte River’s resource diversification policy by drafting complex contracts and power purchase agreements for renewable energy resources and advising on distributed energy resource development and management,
- advises on legal issues related to organized energy markets, their development and regulation, and Platte River’s participation in them,
- provides routine and specialized legal advice on electric utility operations, electric utility contracting, and related federal, state, and local regulatory requirements,
- helps Platte River board members, executives, and staff understand and comply with general legal and regulatory obligations (including open meetings and open records laws), and
- manages day-to-day legal issues in areas such as land use and property rights.
The Senior Counsel – Markets must have substantial knowledge of the electric utility industry, preferably including experience with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and organized energy markets. This position also requires direct engagement with management, engineering, and operational staff.
This position may be eligible for hybrid or remote work. Remote or hybrid work is subject to Platte River approval; please indicate work state preference when applying. Platte River cannot employ hybrid or remote workers in California, New York, or Vermont.
This position is open until filled; for best consideration, please submit application materials directly on Platte River's careers site by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on August 21, 2023.
Essential duties and responsibilities
- Directly advises senior managers and leadership on complex contractual and regulatory issues
- Provides expert-level legal counsel and support to staff in contracting and procurement activities, including renewable energy development and power purchase agreements
- Advises Platte River staff on FERC orders, FERC rules, and FERC compliance for non-public utilities, including applicable training
- Counsels internal staff as needed to support Platte River’s business operations in such areas as emerging market and economic regulatory issues affecting the Western Interconnection, utility operations and system reliability, open records and open meetings act requirements, and regulatory compliance
- Provides expert-level analysis and recommendations on property issues, including easements and utility crossing agreements, and independently drafts easements and property agreements
- Performs expert-level legal research and independently drafts contracts, memoranda, and other legal documents
- Advises on implementation of Platte River legal policies and practices
- Works directly with outside counsel on legal and regulatory matters
- Respects and models workplace safety and compliance culture; encourages others to follow best practices
Other functions
- Performs other duties as assigned
Supervisory controls
- This position has no supervisory or lead role responsibilities
Knowledge, skills and abilities
Requirements
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Solid understanding of contract law and principles of succinct, jargon-free drafting
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to conduct legal research, analyze issues, evaluate opinions, make recommendations, and implement solutions
- Competently analyzes and interprets contracts, statutes, regulations, and policies
- Able to establish and maintain relationships and work collaboratively and effectively with all levels of the organization
- Demonstrated commitment to delivering high-quality, responsive legal support services and subject-matter expertise
- Strong interest in working closely with technical subject-matter experts in areas such as reliability, engineering, finance, and operations
- Aptitude for communicating with clarity and credibility to a wide range of internal and external audiences, including board members, executives, colleagues, owner community representatives, and outside stakeholders
- Willingness to seek and receive feedback from colleagues and customers on opportunities to improve processes and outcomes
- Willingness to travel to in-state and out-of-state meetings
Preferences
- Knowledge of organized energy markets and regional transmission organizations
- Experience with complex transactions involving electric utilities, particularly power purchase agreements and similar transactions for renewable energy development
- Familiarity with FERC orders, rules, and practices
- Ability to independently develop and submit regulatory filings, particularly in market-related rulemaking processes before FERC
Qualifications
Education and licenses
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. school of law
- Active member in good standing of a state bar
- Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy
Required work experience
- Minimum seven years as a practicing attorney in transactional, governmental, or corporate law
Preferred work experience and education
- Experience in organized energy markets, including day-ahead markets, real-time markets, regional transmission organizations, or independent system operators
- Experience with complex utility contracts and transactions, including power purchase agreements, open-access transmission tariff requirements, and related transmission service and interconnection agreements
- Experience with FERC practice, especially with a non-public utility or in an organized market
- Experience with electric, natural gas, or water utilities
Bi-weekly salary range for position: $5,551.81 - $7,633.88 (placement dependent on qualifications)
(range if annualized: $144,347 - $198,481)
Platte River Power Authority offers employees an outstanding benefits package. Information on benefits may be viewed by visiting: https://www.prpa.org/careers/benefits/
