Legal/Regulatory Counsel Sr (Hybrid) - Electric Reliability Council of Texas

At ERCOT, our diverse and dynamic work environment provides a platform on which employees can work together to build the future of the Texas power grid and wholesale market utilizing the latest technologies and resources. We encourage you to join our talented, dedicated workforce to develop world-class solutions for today and tomorrow’s energy challenges while learning new skills and growing your career. ERCOT is committed to fostering diversity and inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We accept and celebrate those that join us and recognize that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. A diverse and inclusive workforce strengthens us and allows for a collaborative environment to solve the challenges that face our industry today and in the future. JOB SUMMARY As the independent system operator (ISO) for the power system that serves the majority of Texas, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) is responsible for operating and planning the ERCOT transmission grid and administering the ERCOT wholesale power market, among other critical functions. The ERCOT Legal Department is seeking an experienced senior attorney to join its regulatory team. This job will focus on federal regulatory and legislative matters impacting ERCOT, including proceedings before the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but will also involve state regulatory and legislative matters—especially in the near term. The ideal candidate will have excellent written and oral communication skills, sound judgment, and a solid background in Texas and federal regulation of the electric power industry. JOB DUTIES Collaborates with ERCOT subject matter experts to assess the impacts of proposed regulatory and legislative changes on the ERCOT ISO and its employees, the operation and planning of the ERCOT grid, and the ERCOT wholesale power market. Such regulatory changes include, but are not limited to, the development of NERC Reliability Standards, FERC rules, EPA rules, and PUCT rules, and state and federal legislation. Works with ERCOT experts to develop and submit comments on such proposed standards, rules, and legislation in appropriate cases. Provides advice and counsel to ERCOT employees regarding the impact of proposed and adopted standards, rules, and legislation. Works with ERCOT employees to evaluate impact of industry-proposed changes to ERCOT Protocols, the ERCOT Operating Guide, the ERCOT Planning Guide, and ERCOT Operating Procedures and other relevant documents and to develop comments on such proposed changes, when appropriate. Advises ERCOT employees in NERC audits and other compliance-related activities. Reviews and interprets requirements in ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides, Planning Guide, and Operating Procedures and other relevant documents for ERCOT employees and external stakeholders. Ensures appropriate communication with PUCT Staff on important federal and state initiatives. When requested, provides written summaries of important developments for ERCOT executives, members of the ERCOT Board of Directors, and key government stakeholders, including PUCT Commissioners. May represent ERCOT in contested cases before the PUCT or FERC, including filing pleadings, propounding and responding to discovery requests, developing case strategy, and providing written and oral argument before administrative authorities. May represent ERCOT in one or more ISO/RTO Council (IRC) committees. May serve as leader of internal projects and initiatives. May oversee filing of certain reports required by PUCT rules. May perform research in connection with Alternative Dispute Resolutions (ADRs) and may propose and draft ERCOT positions on ADRs. May perform other miscellaneous legal and regulatory functions. EXPERIENCE Requires minimum 5 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements. EDUCATION Bachelor's degree: Any discipline (required) Juris doctorate (required) CERTIFICATION Admitted to practice before the State Bar of Texas (required) WORK LOCATION – Austin, TX: Employees will be required to be on-site in Austin, TX at minimum 2 days per week, or more, as needed based on the business needs as determined by management On-site schedules are flexible or may be rotated based on business needs as determined by the Manager Remote work is required to be performed from your Texas residence. Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and the essential functions of the position that must be performed proficiently with or without reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. It is not an exhaustive list of the duties expected to be performed, and management may, at its discretion, revise or require that other or different tasks be performed as assigned. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. Both ERCOT and the employee may exercise their employment-at-will rights at any time. #LI-Hybrid #SK-1 ERCOT is firmly committed to equal employment for all qualified persons without regard to race, sex, medical condition, religion, age, creed, national origin, citizenship status, marital status, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, ancestry, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected category under federal, state or local law. Expected Salary Range: $140,730 - $239,214 The Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) manages the flow of electric power to 27 million Texas customers - representing about 90 percent of the state's electric load. As the independent system operator for the region, ERCOT schedules power on an electric grid that connects more than 54,100 miles of transmission lines and 1,250 generating units. ERCOT also performs financial settlement for the competitive wholesale bulk-power market and administers retail switching for 8 million premises in competitive choice areas. ERCOT is a membership-based 501(c)(4) nonprofit corporation, governed by a board of directors and subject to oversight by the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Texas Legislature. ERCOT's members include consumers, cooperatives, generators, power marketers, retail electric providers, investor-owned electric utilities (transmission and distribution providers,) and municipal-owned electric utilities. ERCOT offers an excellent benefits package, which includes health, dental, vision, life insurance, long/short-term disability insurance, long-term care insurance, Section 125 Flexible Spending Account, and a Retirement Savings Plan. The medical, dental, vision, and quality-of-life benefits offered by ERCOT are second to none. Full-time employees are eligible to enroll in benefits on the first of the month following the date of hire. Additionally, 401(k) plans are available to help employees plan for the future. The ERCOT Internship Program provides college students the opportunity to develop their skills in a professional work environment. Each intern will receive unique projects and assignments that aim to solve real challenges facing the electric industry. ERCOT internships provide professional learning experiences that offer meaningful, practical work related to each student's desired career path. Eligible candidates should be enrolled in an academic bachelors or post graduate degree program maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. The ERCOT Engineer Development Program (EDP) is a 12- to 16-month, self-paced program geared toward entry-level engineers looking to start a career in the power industry. Through the program, an EDP Engineer receives one-on-one mentoring, specialized training, and exposure to the work performed by each of the engineering groups at ERCOT. The program allows engineers to develop the fundamental skills necessary to reach their full potential while gaining an understanding of the types of engineering work ERCOT has to offer. EDP management supports participants each step of the way as they progress through the program. Upon completion, graduates are placed as full-time engineers within one of ERCOT’s engineering groups. The GMS Development Program (GDP) is designed to provide entry-level and early career professionals with the skills necessary to become successful Power System and Computer Engineers. The program, which is based in ERCOT’s Grid and Market Solutions (GMS) Department, will provide experience in day-to-day work and instruction in the fundamentals of electric power systems engineering, grid and market applications, software programming, and IT service and operations management. The GDP offers one-on-one mentoring, training, field trips, and special assignments. These assignments allow GDP engineers to become knowledgeable and familiar with the various business areas at ERCOT. The GMS leadership team prepares GDP engineers for a future career at ERCOT in power systems and computer engineering. The System Operator Development Program (ODP) is intended to combine real-time daily operations in an exciting work setting to prepare participants with the vital skills necessary to be successful in such a critical position — providing 24x7x365 on-demand support to manage the flow of electric power to more than 26 million Texas customers. If you are new to the industry, this program introduces you to the Bulk Electric System by combining introductory courses with the NERC Certification Exam Preparation Program in preparation to pass the NERC Certification Exam.