Senior Regulatory Counsel or Assistant General Counsel

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc.; Austin (TX); Hybrid; USD 196,000 - 269,000; Full time

Job summary

Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. (ERCOT) seeks a Senior Regulatory Counsel to join its regulatory team in Austin, TX. The role involves handling state and federal regulatory matters, advising on rules, and drafting comments for rule changes impacting the ERCOT grid and wholesale market.

The ideal candidate has 10+ years of regulatory experience, a Texas bar admission, and a JD, with strong written and oral communication skills and sound judgment for federal and state energy regulation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree (required)
• Juris Doctorate (required)
• Admitted to practice before the State Bar of Texas (required)
• Experience: Senior Regulatory Counsel 10+ years preferred; Assistant General Counsel 15+ years preferred

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with subject matter experts to assess regulatory and legislative changes impacts on ERCOT and its employees, grid operations, and wholesale market.
• Develop and submit comments on proposed rules, standards, and legislation.
• Advise ERCOT employees on impact of rules and legislation.
• Develop changes to ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides, Planning Guides, Operating Procedures to implement policy and rules.
• Represent ERCOT in contested cases before PUCT or FERC as needed.

Education

Bachelor's degree

Juris doctorate

Job description

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 inclusion at all levels of our company. It is the cornerstone of our corporate values of accountability, leadership, innovation, trust, and expertise. We know that individuals with a wide variety of talents, ideas, and experiences propel the innovation that drives our success. An inclusive and diverse 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 overseeing the operation and planning of 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 involve state and federal regulatory and legislative matters impacting ERCOT. 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 ERCOT 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, proposed amendments or revisions to PUCT rules, NERC Reliability Standards, FERC rules, and EPA rules, as well as state and federal legislation.
• Works with ERCOT experts to develop and submit comments on such proposed rules, standards, and legislation in appropriate cases.
• Provides advice and counsel to ERCOT employees regarding the impact of proposed and adopted rules, standards, and legislation.
• Works with ERCOT employees to develop proposed changes to ERCOT Protocols, the ERCOT Operating Guide, the ERCOT Planning Guide, ERCOT Operating Procedures, and other relevant documents to implement organizational policy, PUCT rules, and legislation.
• Works with ERCOT employees to develop comments to stakeholder-proposed changes to ERCOT Protocols, the ERCOT Operating Guide, the ERCOT Planning Guide, ERCOT Operating Procedures, and other relevant documents.
• Advises ERCOT employees in NERC audits and other compliance-related activities.
• Reviews and interprets requirements in ERCOT Protocols, the ERCOT Operating Guide, the ERCOT Planning Guide, ERCOT 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

• Senior Regulatory Counsel: 10 years or more experience preferred.
• Assistant General Counsel: 15 years or more experience preferred.

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:

• 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.
• 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.

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

$196,000 - $269,000