Managing Counsel

Calpine Corporation is America's largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with operations in competitive power markets. Its fleet of 76 power plants in operation and one under construction represents nearly 26,000 megawatts of generation capacity. Through wholesale power operations and its retail businesses, Calpine serves customers in 22 states, Canada and Mexico. Its clean, efficient, modern and flexible fleet uses advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner.

The company was established on the premise that a strong commitment to the environment is inextricably linked to excellence in power generation and corporate responsibility. Since its founding in 1984, Calpine has led the power industry in its unwavering commitment to environmental stewardship. In addition, its renewable geothermal plants use steam generated deep below the earth's surface to produce clean, renewable electricity.

Job Summary (includes but is not limited to the following, other duties may be assigned)

Unique opportunity to join a diverse, fast-paced and challenging in-house legal department and serve as a principal day-to-day commercial and development attorney for the Western Region team, responsible for contracting and developing power plant, battery storage, solar and carbon capture and sequestration facilities in California, Oregon and Arizona.

Broad commercial and development legal experience preferred, with energy, commercial contracting, project finance, real estate, or environmental experience a plus. Will advise and assist on all aspects of projects from development through the commercial operation date, including, permitting, real property, commercial, intellectual property, state and local tax and regulatory matters, environmental, project finance and corporate issues. Will draft, review, and provide advice for commercial and project development agreements including, letters of intent, development agreements, joint venture agreements, EPC Agreements, real estate documents, balance of plant agreements, major equipment procurement agreements, power purchase agreements, operations and maintenance agreements and service agreements.

Will advise and coordinate with development team and local counsel on permitting applications and other permitting and environmental matters. Required to have or develop familiarity but not primary responsibility for regulatory matters associated with these development projects.

• Negotiate, draft, analyze and support the administration of EPC agreements, major equipment procurement agreements, power purchase agreements, fuel supply/storage/transport agreements, electric transmission, power/fuel/ facility interconnection and other construction agreements, real property matters, tax matters, CEC, CPUC, CAISO regional grid and regional market design issues and other commercial arrangements required by operations and development teams. Oversee financing compliance, environmental compliance and regulatory proceedings, challenges and audits and litigation matters arising from time to time.
• Manage all legal aspects of complex energy development projects.
• Assist project teams in interpreting and using legal/contractual obligations to manage project costs and schedule.
• Review and advise on permit and environmental issues.
• Assist on structuring and closing construction, project finance and tax equity financing transactions, including due diligence, transaction documentation, regulatory approvals.
• Assist with creating and dissolving joint ventures, equity purchase transactions and other mergers and acquisition transactions.
• Manage outside counsel to maximize benefit and minimize costs.
• Excellent opportunity to be part of the sophisticated, creative and congenial Western Region development team supporting the largest independent power producer with one of the youngest and cleanest power operations fleets in the U.S.

Job Requirements

• Strong academic credentials and law degree.
• CA or NY Bar Membership.
• Typically requires a minimum of five to eight years’ experience practicing commercial law, including development and construction, corporate and/ or real estate transactions, energy or environmental regulatory law in a law firm or corporation. Commercial and general litigation experience will also be considered.
• Strong analytical skills.
• Strong interpersonal and project management skills.
• Self-starter with the ability to work independently and to quickly gain expertise in new subject matter.
• Flexibility and ability to multi-task essential.

Salary Information

• Salary Range - $204,004.81- 260,106.14

Additional Calpine Information

• Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.
• Calpine is committed to Equal Employment Opportunity and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and/or mental disabilities. If you are interested in applying for employment and need special assistance or an accommodation to use our website or to apply for a position, please send an e-mail with your request to hrrecruitment@calpine.com. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on case-by-case basis.