Paralegal - Contracts

POSITION: PARALEGAL

LOCATION: BANGOR

REPORTS TO: DIRECTOR, CORPORATE COUNSEL & COMPLIANCE

POSITION STATUS: EXEMPT, NON-BARGAINING AGREEMENT

Be a part of the team that is transforming the power industry of northern and eastern Maine. 

Versant Power is building on our 100-year history of delivering efficient, safe and reliable electricity service to customers in northern and eastern Maine. We never lose sight of safety, quality, integrity and innovation.

We are committed to our dedicated people, who inspire us every day to deliver something more powerful than power alone.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Paralegal manages and coordinates all aspects of legal and regulatory projects, most particularly contract management. This role includes managing a database of contracts and amendments, tracking deadlines, and conducting outreach to contract parties to evaluate compliance, discuss amendments, and ensure all contracts comply with applicable laws and regulations. 

Additionally, this position is responsible for conducting legal research, investigating facts, preparing legal documents and correspondence, preparing reports, handling confidential and time-sensitive material and handling information requests.

The successful candidate will be a proactive professional with exceptional organizational skills, excellent written and oral communication skills, able to exercise the utmost discretion and possess a positive, can-do attitude. The position requires someone who is highly organized and able to support, manage and facilitate the needs of the busy team of professionals.

This position reports directly to the Director, Corporate Counsel and Compliance Officer, and provides support to members of the Legal and Regulatory Department. 

RESPONSIBILITES:

• Creates initial drafts of legal instruments (e.g., bankruptcy proof of claims and regulatory filings)
• Reviews project contracts 
• Manages financial aspects of contracts
• Monitors time frame, policy, procedures for accomplishing projects
• Coordinates with inhouse and external counsel to establish work plans, calendaring deadlines
• Ensures that project activities comply with applicable laws and regulations
• Verifies and proofreads contracts based on detailed review of proposal specifications
• Attends legal and regulatory meetings and communicates information related to each function’s needs concerning project requirements
• Monitors project activities to ensure that the project is executed in accordance with associated deadlines, budgets, and schedules; takes appropriate action to minimize the impact of deviations
• Assists with preparation of written reports and/or updates for the executive leadership team and inhouse and external counsel to ensure a clear understanding of project status
• Quickly identifies, prioritizes, and resolves problems of a varying nature with minimal direction provided
• Flexibility to assist with and work on a wide variety of assignments and projects
• Works closely and effectively with assigned professionals to keep them well informed of upcoming commitments and responsibilities, schedule changes, and preparation needed for meetings, following up appropriately and anticipating needs

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Position is primarily sedentary, with some walking, driving and standing required
• Extra hours required on an as-needed basis
• Versant Power is a tobacco free and fragrance-free workplace.

 DESIRED SKILLS & QUALIFICIATIONS:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Superior people/interpersonal skills
• Ambitious, enthusiastic, positive can-do attitude and polished professional demeanor; a healthy sense of humor will be considered a plus. Tenacious in meeting deadlines with a strong sense of timeliness, decision-making, and good self-management discipline
• Technologically savvy; highly proficient, expert knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite 365 and Westlaw/Westlaw Next 
• Keen ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with employees at all levels of the organization 
• Work discretely with confidential information
• Must be proactive, accountable and have excellent judgment
• Detail-oriented and able to work in a fast-paced environment while making very few errors
• Must be adaptable to change and remain calm under pressure

 PARALEGAL I

• Three (3) or more years of previous experience in energy, real estate, or commercial law 
• High school diploma required; associate’s or bachelor’s degree in Finance/Business and/or Paralegal Certificate preferred

PARALEGAL II

• Five (5) or more years of previous experience in energy, real estate, or commercial law 
• Associate’s degree required; in lieu of an associate’s degree, an additional four (4) years of relevant professional experience may be considered.
• Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Business and/or Paralegal Certificate preferred

WORK HOURS:

Usual work hours are 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M., Monday through Friday. Hybrid work schedule at the discretion of the Director, Corporate Counsel and Compliance Officer, following six to eight months’ tenure.

RATE OF PAY:

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications.