FERC Paralegal I, II or Senior

Responsible for conducting legal and factual research on a wide range of Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) and related federal regulatory matters important to the Association.  Providing legal assistance and services including monitoring FERC regulatory developments across the electric utility industry, drafting and submitting FERC regulatory filings, providing administrative support during FERC regulatory proceedings, and assisting with the tracking and management of FERC regulatory compliance efforts. 

Note: There is one position available, and this position will be filled at one of four job grade levels: FERC Paralegal I, job grade 5, FERC Paralegal II, job grade 7 or Senior FERC Paralegal, job grade 8. This decision will be based on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate and Tri-State business needs at the time of hire.

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 50%, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Life Insurance, Retirement Option, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Senior FERC Paralegal
Hiring Salary Range: $86,000-$116,000

FERC Paralegal II 
Hiring Salary Range: $78,000-$105,000

FERC Paralegal I 
Hiring Salary Range: $65,000-$88,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education and/or skill level.

• Undertake legal research and analysis on FERC and related federal regulatory matters, including the use of a variety of legal and regulatory resources and services.
• Prepare informative or explanatory material on federal statute, regulation, and policy for use by counsel.
• Prepare research memos and summaries of various pleadings in legal proceedings of interest.
• Monitor a variety of FERC regulatory proceedings and developments impacting the electric utility industry.
• Review tariff materials, rate schedules and service agreements and work with attorneys and internal clients to resolve legal or drafting issues regarding regulations, orders, standards, and requirements.
• Draft regulatory filings, including comments, tariff filings, rate filings and other compliance filings in conjunction with a variety of internal clients.
• Make regulatory filings, including learning the host of FERC online filing systems and processes, and prepare all related communications and documentation required.
• Track status of FERC regulatory filings and maintain and manage case files.
• Prepare, maintain and update various reports used both internally and externally, including but not limited to upcoming filings, regulatory reports and status reports. 
• Provide legal support in various stakeholder processes, contested proceedings, administrative settlement and litigation proceedings, and appeals processes at the state and federal levels. 
• Assist in administering the document management and filing system for the Regulatory Department.
• Assist with the preparation FERC filings by organizing relevant governing agreement and tariff controlling document sections, assisting counsel in drafting filing letters.
• Monitor FERC technical conferences and hearings and prepare summaries/documents as requested by counsel.
• Pull relevant documents, proofread papers, organize exhibits, affidavits and execute other similar tasks.
• Compose letters, memos, agendas, minutes, charts, pleadings and other complex material directed.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external counsel, consultants, and business unit staff on project assignments as required.
• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. Attain knowledge and remain knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety.  Must be familiar with, and comply with, all aspects of Corporate Policy C-54, Compliance.
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State?s culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State?s culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

Education and Training

• Paralegal Associate's degree, or an equivalent college degree, or experience as a law clerk or paralegal with a Paralegal Certificate in a law firm, corporate legal department or governmental agency handling complex litigation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Exercises professional judgment, integrity, respect, and professionalism.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to plan, prioritize work and coordinate the work.
• Experience using document management systems. 
• Ability to prepare information for contracts, agreements and other related documents. 
• Knowledge of legal terminology and research software.
• General knowledge of regulatory regulations affecting the electric utility industry. 
• Must be able to uphold the highest standards of discretion and confidentiality.
• Self-motivated and self-starter.
• Understand basic principles of finance, accounting and management.
• Must be efficient and organized, and demonstrate an ability to produce high-quality work products with attention to detail, in an efficient, and timely manner. 

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of related regulatory experience (FERC experience preferred) or litigation paralegal experience. Note: The above requirements describe the experience and education qualifications for the Senior FERC Paralegal. Those with less experience will be hired at the I or II job grade level. 

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required (must possess a valid driver's license.)

DESIRED JOB QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience as a law clerk or paralegal with a Paralegal Certificate in a law firm, corporate legal department or governmental agency.
• Experience in FERC regulatory and legislative matters.
• Experience with the FERC e-Filing and eTariff.
• Proficient with LexisNexis and/or Westlaw legal research tools, including specific regulatory research tools such as FERC eLibrary and state utility commission websites