Legal Counsel

AESO; Calgary; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Health and dental benefits

Mental health support

Defined contribution pension plan

Learning and development opportunities

Paid vacation and flex time

Job summary

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) seeks a Legal Counsel to deliver timely, strategic advice with a focus on regulatory matters. You will support the AESO mandate, work with business units, and help shape Alberta’s electricity sector.

Reporting to the Legal Manager, Operations and Reliability, you will draft and advise on ISO rules and Alberta Reliability Standards, review NERC standards, and assist in stakeholder engagement and AUC proceedings.

Qualifications

• LL.B. or J.D. with eligibility for the Alberta Law Society.
• 1–3 years of legal experience.
• Experience with regulatory proceedings or Alberta electricity is an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Polished communication and leadership abilities.

Responsibilities

• Provide regulatory legal services to AESO business units.
• Draft and advise on ISO rules and Alberta Reliability Standards.
• Review NERC standards and stakeholder materials.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries and provide opinions.
• Assist with stakeholder engagement and AUC proceedings.
• Manage external counsel and contribute to regulatory process improvements.

Skills

Regulatory experience

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Independent work

Education

LL.B. or J.D.

Job description

Job Description

The Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) is responsible for the safe, reliable, and economic planning and operation of the Alberta Interconnected Electric System. We provide open and non-discriminatory access to Alberta’s interconnected power grid and also facilitate Alberta’s competitive wholesale electricity market. The AESO strives to foster an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace where people feel respected and welcomed for who they are, together we deliver high performance and innovative results.

The AESO Legal team plays a key role in advancing the AESO’s strategic plan by delivering proactive legal advice that supports Alberta’s evolving electricity industry. Working closely with business units across the organization, the team helps enable the transformation of the province’s electricity sector while ensuring reliable, affordable power is available to Albertans.

Reporting to the Legal Manager, Operations and Reliability, the Legal Counsel provides timely, strategic, and practical legal advice across the AESO, with a primary focus on regulatory matters. In this role, you will advise on complex legal and regulatory issues, support stakeholder engagement and regulatory processes, and contribute to industry initiatives that help shape Alberta’s electricity sector. This is a unique opportunity to develop specialized expertise in Alberta’s electricity regulatory framework while working on complex, high-impact matters that influence the province’s evolving electricity system.

What You’ll Do

• Provide legal services to AESO business departments, with a primary focus on regulatory matters.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the AESO’s mandate, business, values and goals.
• Maintain currency with and provide advice on relevant legislation, government policies and industry issues.
• Draft, advise and assist in the development of AESO authoritative documents (e.g., ISO rules and Alberta Reliability Standards) and associated documentation.
• Review NERC reliability standards and standards-development processes and prepare Alberta stakeholder consultation materials.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries, including Authoritative Document Questions, regarding AESO authoritative documents.
• Conduct research and provide verbal and written legal advice and opinions on issues relevant to the AESO.
• Assist in the creation and implementation of stakeholder consultation processes and procedures.
• Assist with the AESO’s participation in AUC proceedings.
• Provide input regarding the AESO’s regulatory processes and seek continuous improvement of those processes.
• Participate as a team member to deliver on strategic business initiatives.
• Participate in the AESO’s internal training program relating to its regulatory processes.
• Work with and manage external counsel.

What You’ll Bring

• LL.B. or J.D. and membership in, or eligibility to become a member of, the Law Society of Alberta.
• 1–3 years of legal experience.
• Experience with regulatory proceedings, regulatory or administrative law, tariffs and ratemaking, or the Alberta electricity industry would be an asset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving and decision‑making skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills and an ability to demonstrate leadership on files.
• Ability to work independently and confidently under time constraints.
• Polished communication skills.

You’ll Thrive in This Role If

• You enjoy analyzing complex legal and regulatory issues and translating them into practical business solutions.
• You build strong relationships and establish credibility with clients, stakeholders, and colleagues.
• You are comfortable balancing competing priorities while maintaining a high standard of work.
• You bring sound judgment, intellectual curiosity, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• You are motivated by meaningful work that directly impacts Alberta’s electricity industry and the reliability of the power system.

What We Offer

This full-time opportunity offers a competitive salary, paid vacation and flex time, health and dental benefits, mental health support, a defined contribution pension plan, and learning and development opportunities as part of your overall compensation package. We support a hybrid work environment, where the team is in the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Mondays and Fridays are flexible for where you work best.

Why Join AESO

• Contribute to work that helps shape the future of Alberta’s electricity sector.
• Advise on significant regulatory, policy, and industry matters.
• Develop specialized expertise in Alberta’s electricity regulatory framework.
• Collaborate with experienced legal, regulatory, and industry professionals.
• Gain exposure to high‑impact initiatives that support reliable and affordable electricity for Albertans.
• Grow your expertise in a dynamic, evolving, and purpose-driven environment.

Application deadline: October 18, 2026

If you are contacted for a pre‑screening and/or interview, please advise of any accommodation measures required to enable you to fully participate. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

The Alberta Electric System Operator is unable to accept unsolicited agency resumes.

The Alberta Electric System Operator, and its members, officers, employees and agents (collectively, the “AESO”) is committed to protecting personal information provided to it. When you submit your personal information to the AESO for the purpose of pursuing employment with the AESO, the collection, use and disclosure of personal information is in accordance with the provisions of the Protection of Privacy Act (POPA) of Alberta.

As noted, the AESO is mandated to maintain the safe and reliable operations of the provincial power grid.As part of meeting its obligations, the AESO may require the successful candidate to undergo a criminal background check for the position. This collection of personal information for the purposes of a check will be conducted in accordance with Section 4 of POPA.