Legal/Regulatory Counsel Sr (Hybrid)

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. 

• 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.

• Requires minimum 10 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements.

• Bachelor's degree: Any discipline (required)
• Juris doctorate (required)

• 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.

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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: