SERC Reliability Corporation
Legal Counsel, Legal/Regulatory Affairs
SERC Reliability Corporation, Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, 28245
The electric grid is vital to our everyday lives. It is fundamental for the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and provides the platform for our economy and our societal and technological advances. SERC's mission is to reduce risks to the reliability and security of the electric grid (also known as the bulk power system), not only for today but also for the future.To achieve this mission, we maintain a diverse team of experts across numerous disciplines in order to address the complex, evolving, and dynamic challenges facing the grid. Our team also partners with the best and brightest individuals from both the power industry and the federal government to understand and address the challenges facing the grid. These key partnerships make our work more informed, pragmatic, responsive, and impactful.The position is responsible for the day-to-day operations of SERC's State & Regulatory Outreach program, managing regulatory cases and Enforcement activities, and conducting corporate legal projects and assignments. This position reports to the Assistant General Counsel of Legal & Regulatory Affairs.Duties And Responsibilities
State and Regulatory Affairs & Outreach
Grow SERC's state and regulatory outreach program by developing, managing, and executing external communications to State utility commissions, legislative bodies, and administrative agencies in SERC's footprint on energy regulatory and policy issues.Serve as the key point of contact for state regulators and legislators and engage in outreach and education to state regulatory, legislative, and administrative audiences.Work across the organization to develop communication material, marketing campaigns processes, and methods to more effectively communicate risks to the reliability and security of the electric grid to our regional or national state stakeholders, including state regulators and legislatures.Create state and regulatory outreach communication strategies that support SERC's mission and efforts to increase state stakeholder awareness of the reliability and security of the electric grid.Lead cross-functional teams to draft, review, edit, produce, and optimize messages, including testimony, educational content, and messaging delivery methods for state stakeholder external communications, ensuring consistent messaging, quality and branding, and create a method to track all content under communications review and provide visibility to SERC staff regarding deliverables.As lead state liaison, establish and maintain relationships with State regulators and policymakers through outreach and developing, coordinating, and supporting presentations and participation in events.As part of content and communication material development, identify, monitor, and analyze legislative, regulatory, and policy issues impacting SERC's footprint related to bulk power system reliability, including but not limited to policies on renewable energy, energy storage, distributed energy resources, transmission, grid technology, cybersecurity, and jurisdictional issues at the state level.
Enforcement
Manage and lead cross-functional regulatory compliance activities on North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards to ensure appropriate and consistent dispositions of alleged violations.Develop settlement agreements resolving complex legal issues, including disposition resolutions and industry recommendations agreements to prevent future risks to the electric grid.Serve as the regulatory liaison with registered entity compliance and legal contacts regarding the status of open enforcement actions.Prepare and present legal recommendations, including proposed penalties and settlement agreements to SERC leadership.Lead and participate in settlement negotiations with registered entities.Leverage legal expertise to create and present strategic recommendations to external audiences, including regulators, Board committees, and the broader energy industry.Delegate and oversee enforcement activities and strategic projects.Provide legal expertise and training to other SERC departments and registered entities on enforcement related issues.Attend and participate in industry workshops and presentations to keep abreast of current industry trends, guidance, and processes.Perform other duties as assigned.
Corporate Legal
Conduct legal research and provide legal advice and support to the SERC Board of Directors, executives, and staff.Provide training, education, and communications to SERC staff and SERC member companies regarding legal issues and/or regulatory requirements.Review relevant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders and NERC directives and provide guidance to SERC staff.Remain current with changes in reliability regulations and policies affecting SERC.Review and/or assist in the implementation of company policies and procedures.Draft, review, and/or edit corporate bylaws, Board committee scope documents, Board resolutions, and Board and committee meeting minutes.Respond to Regulatory and external inquiries.Draft, negotiate, and/or review SERC contracts.Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications And Experience
Law Degree (J.D.) from an accredited law school and licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State or District of Columbia and member of a bar association.5-7 years of experience in energy, administrative law, regulatory law, and/or complex litigation.Employment law experience a plus.Demonstrated leadership and initiative skills.Ability to effectively communicate highly technical subject matter to diverse audiences.Strong assessment and analytical skills.Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.Extremely organized and detail oriented.Able to manage multiple projects in a demanding, fast-paced environment.Additional Desired Attributes Include
Self-motivated and ability to work independently.Resourceful - ability to track down information, find solutions to problems, and communicate.Ability to work across functions in an organization.Learning/developing new areas of expertise.Commitment To Culture
SERC is dedicated to being a
highly desirable place to work
through culture and purpose. We place a strategic focus on critical elements such as Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation & Collaboration, and Organizational Development & Talent Management. Through this strategic focus, SERC has identified its four Cultural Attributes that we believe keeps us on the path of continuous improvement.Cultural Attributes
Leader
- Is trustworthy, principled, and respectful and strive to create value that reduces risk. Has a positive vision and is actively building support to execute it. A leader takes personal accountability for the outcomes of their choices and actions, acts with professionalism and adapts to change in a calm and positive manner. A leader will, when appropriate, ask questions and recommend alternative solutions to new processes or procedures.Collaborative
- Partner and engage, both internally and externally, to drive meaningful action by leveraging skills, knowledge and tools. This would include effective written and verbal communication to ensure ideas and messages are clearly and concisely conveyed, being responsive to all stakeholders, understanding goals and objectives while exceeding key metrics and targets. Encourages dialog and candor while making it safe for others to voice their opinion to ensure all alternative viewpoints are heard, they are an active listener.Expert
- Being credible, objective, disciplined, and sought after to help with continuous learning, improvements, and innovations. Exhibit knowledge of and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulations. Take initiative to set priorities and convey important information in a timely and efficient manner. Employ good judgment when evaluating a problem by analyzing risk and identifying consequences while demonstrating a sense of organizational stewardship.Purposeful
- Proactively demonstrate initiative, intentionality and resourcefulness to help anticipate and navigate current and future challenges. Committed to the quality of work and ensures work is delivered at appropriate deadlines while seeking operational efficiencies. Initiate appropriate follow-up while leveraging industry knowledge and business acumen to make appropriate decisions. Treat others with compassion and empathy and embrace the organization's mission and vision while providing meaningful contributions to organizational endeavors.If the traits and characteristics listed in our Cultural Attributes resonate with you, we encourage you to apply!Salary/Benefits
The salary range for this position is DOE. We offer a generous PTO package; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an organization contribution of up to 14%.Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Hybrid work environment; 50/50 Split in-office and remote work (weekly common day = Tuesday); ability to travel as needed.SERC is an Equal Opportunity Employer#J-18808-Ljbffr
State and Regulatory Affairs & Outreach
Grow SERC's state and regulatory outreach program by developing, managing, and executing external communications to State utility commissions, legislative bodies, and administrative agencies in SERC's footprint on energy regulatory and policy issues.Serve as the key point of contact for state regulators and legislators and engage in outreach and education to state regulatory, legislative, and administrative audiences.Work across the organization to develop communication material, marketing campaigns processes, and methods to more effectively communicate risks to the reliability and security of the electric grid to our regional or national state stakeholders, including state regulators and legislatures.Create state and regulatory outreach communication strategies that support SERC's mission and efforts to increase state stakeholder awareness of the reliability and security of the electric grid.Lead cross-functional teams to draft, review, edit, produce, and optimize messages, including testimony, educational content, and messaging delivery methods for state stakeholder external communications, ensuring consistent messaging, quality and branding, and create a method to track all content under communications review and provide visibility to SERC staff regarding deliverables.As lead state liaison, establish and maintain relationships with State regulators and policymakers through outreach and developing, coordinating, and supporting presentations and participation in events.As part of content and communication material development, identify, monitor, and analyze legislative, regulatory, and policy issues impacting SERC's footprint related to bulk power system reliability, including but not limited to policies on renewable energy, energy storage, distributed energy resources, transmission, grid technology, cybersecurity, and jurisdictional issues at the state level.
Enforcement
Manage and lead cross-functional regulatory compliance activities on North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards to ensure appropriate and consistent dispositions of alleged violations.Develop settlement agreements resolving complex legal issues, including disposition resolutions and industry recommendations agreements to prevent future risks to the electric grid.Serve as the regulatory liaison with registered entity compliance and legal contacts regarding the status of open enforcement actions.Prepare and present legal recommendations, including proposed penalties and settlement agreements to SERC leadership.Lead and participate in settlement negotiations with registered entities.Leverage legal expertise to create and present strategic recommendations to external audiences, including regulators, Board committees, and the broader energy industry.Delegate and oversee enforcement activities and strategic projects.Provide legal expertise and training to other SERC departments and registered entities on enforcement related issues.Attend and participate in industry workshops and presentations to keep abreast of current industry trends, guidance, and processes.Perform other duties as assigned.
Corporate Legal
Conduct legal research and provide legal advice and support to the SERC Board of Directors, executives, and staff.Provide training, education, and communications to SERC staff and SERC member companies regarding legal issues and/or regulatory requirements.Review relevant Federal Energy Regulatory Commission orders and NERC directives and provide guidance to SERC staff.Remain current with changes in reliability regulations and policies affecting SERC.Review and/or assist in the implementation of company policies and procedures.Draft, review, and/or edit corporate bylaws, Board committee scope documents, Board resolutions, and Board and committee meeting minutes.Respond to Regulatory and external inquiries.Draft, negotiate, and/or review SERC contracts.Perform other duties as assigned.
Qualifications And Experience
Law Degree (J.D.) from an accredited law school and licensed and authorized to practice as an attorney under the laws of a State or District of Columbia and member of a bar association.5-7 years of experience in energy, administrative law, regulatory law, and/or complex litigation.Employment law experience a plus.Demonstrated leadership and initiative skills.Ability to effectively communicate highly technical subject matter to diverse audiences.Strong assessment and analytical skills.Excellent writing, editing, and verbal communications skills.Extremely organized and detail oriented.Able to manage multiple projects in a demanding, fast-paced environment.Additional Desired Attributes Include
Self-motivated and ability to work independently.Resourceful - ability to track down information, find solutions to problems, and communicate.Ability to work across functions in an organization.Learning/developing new areas of expertise.Commitment To Culture
SERC is dedicated to being a
highly desirable place to work
through culture and purpose. We place a strategic focus on critical elements such as Diversity & Inclusion, Innovation & Collaboration, and Organizational Development & Talent Management. Through this strategic focus, SERC has identified its four Cultural Attributes that we believe keeps us on the path of continuous improvement.Cultural Attributes
Leader
- Is trustworthy, principled, and respectful and strive to create value that reduces risk. Has a positive vision and is actively building support to execute it. A leader takes personal accountability for the outcomes of their choices and actions, acts with professionalism and adapts to change in a calm and positive manner. A leader will, when appropriate, ask questions and recommend alternative solutions to new processes or procedures.Collaborative
- Partner and engage, both internally and externally, to drive meaningful action by leveraging skills, knowledge and tools. This would include effective written and verbal communication to ensure ideas and messages are clearly and concisely conveyed, being responsive to all stakeholders, understanding goals and objectives while exceeding key metrics and targets. Encourages dialog and candor while making it safe for others to voice their opinion to ensure all alternative viewpoints are heard, they are an active listener.Expert
- Being credible, objective, disciplined, and sought after to help with continuous learning, improvements, and innovations. Exhibit knowledge of and ensures compliance with industry best practices and regulations. Take initiative to set priorities and convey important information in a timely and efficient manner. Employ good judgment when evaluating a problem by analyzing risk and identifying consequences while demonstrating a sense of organizational stewardship.Purposeful
- Proactively demonstrate initiative, intentionality and resourcefulness to help anticipate and navigate current and future challenges. Committed to the quality of work and ensures work is delivered at appropriate deadlines while seeking operational efficiencies. Initiate appropriate follow-up while leveraging industry knowledge and business acumen to make appropriate decisions. Treat others with compassion and empathy and embrace the organization's mission and vision while providing meaningful contributions to organizational endeavors.If the traits and characteristics listed in our Cultural Attributes resonate with you, we encourage you to apply!Salary/Benefits
The salary range for this position is DOE. We offer a generous PTO package; paid holidays; medical, dental, vision, life, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and a 401(k) plan with an organization contribution of up to 14%.Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.Hybrid work environment; 50/50 Split in-office and remote work (weekly common day = Tuesday); ability to travel as needed.SERC is an Equal Opportunity Employer#J-18808-Ljbffr