Job summary
The Senior Counsel 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,
•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 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 posting closes on August 13 at 5:00 pm MT.
Work environment and schedule
This position works a typical Monday through Friday schedule in a general office environment and may be eligible for hybrid workdays. The successful candidate should reside within a commutable distance of Fort Collins and Platte River’s Rawhide Energy Station. Performing this work requires occasional physical effort to lift and carry light objects and is primarily sedentary; minimal walking or standing is required on an as-needed basis.
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
•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
•Represents Platte River’s legal department to internal and external stakeholders
•Respects and models workplace safety and compliance culture; encourages others to follow best practices
Qualifications
Required
•Juris Doctor degree from an accredited U.S. school of law
•Active member in good standing of a state bar
•Minimum seven years as a practicing attorney in transactional, governmental, or corporate law
•Current valid driver’s license and ability to remain insurable under the vehicle liability policy
Preferred
•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
•Working knowledge of organized energy markets, including day-ahead markets, real-time markets, regional transmission organizations, or independent system operators
•Experience with electric, natural gas, or water utilities
Pay
This is an exempt role; salaries are paid bi-weekly and are annualized below for reference. Factors that may be used to determine actual salary include specific skills, years of experience, education, and certifications.
•Full range: $188,745 to $273,692
•Hiring range: $188,745 to $231,272