Connect to a career at City Utilities! CU has been connecting our community to the services they need for every day life since 1945. From electricity to power our lives, clean water to be healthy, natural gas to stay warm, internet to keep businesses connected, to transit services to get them where they need to go.

Salary:

Grade 61
Minimum $2,303.65/ weekly

Midpoint $2,937.15

Work Schedule:

Job Description:

PURPOSE OF POSITION:

Under the direction of the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer or designee, handles all legal and regulatory matters including litigation, contract review and negotiation and claims investigations involving the Utility. Acts as legal advocate or advisor concerning legal rights and obligations of the Utility.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Prepares and handles complex legal and regulatory issues and problems and provides legal and strategic advice to departments within the Utility based on the risk to the Utility including, but not limited to, Environmental Affairs, Risk Management, Human Resources, electric and gas distribution and transmission service, wholesale and retail energy markets and matters involving electric and gas rates and tariffs and committee assignments.
2. Reviews and assembles evidence, pertinent decisions, policies and regulations. Prepares pleadings, briefs and other matters pertaining to cases.
3. Represents City Utilities in regulatory submissions, hearings and trials in various courts, commissions and organizations, and other appearances as directed. Cooperates and advances City Utilities’ interests with Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), state public utility commissions, Regional Transmission Organizations, U.S. Department of Energy and general City government. Testifies before State House and Senate Committees on legislation affecting the Utility and makes reports concerning same.
4. Researches and interprets intent of federal, state, and local laws and judicial opinions. Renders legal opinions on questions of fact and law, and industry developments and trends in judicial, regulatory or legislative outcomes. Develops, supervises, consults, directs and/or performs strategic oversight of City Utilities’ policy and regulatory positions including, but not limited to, those related to electric and gas operations.
5. Manages investigation of accidents, incidents and claims by and against the Utility, including the preparation of reports, assessment of damages for payment or collection, and negotiation with insurance agents and claimants for settlement of claims. Supervises and conducts investigations of employee matters.
6. Reviews current and proposed contracts for conformity to laws and regulations. Reviews Requests for Proposals. Drafts and negotiates contract terms and conditions with outside vendors, consultants and contractors. Attends bid openings and various meetings as requested.
7. Assists in maintenance of required files and records of materials related to legal matters and is responsible for their adequacy and accuracy.
8. Drafts, reviews and revises policies, procedures, regulations and resolutions as requested by management.
9. Recommends selection of outside counsel to Vice President – Chief Legal Officer and assists in supervision of outside counsel.
10. Assists the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer in implementation and maintenance of law office procedures.
11. Represents the Utility as creditor in bankruptcy, worker compensation, and probate proceedings and otherwise assists in the collection of accounts receivable.
12. Assists Vice President – Chief Legal Officer and Director-Human Resources in investigation, arbitration and litigation of grievances and other union matters.
13. Provides legal counsel and guidance to all other Utility departments in areas related to Utility operation such as insurance/risk management, environmental affairs, benefits, NERC/FERC, local government, collections and real estate.
14. Assists with regulatory strategy functions including, but not limited to, with regard to Regional Transmission Organizations.
15. Provides advice and interacts with management at all levels of the Utility, including the members of the Executive Leadership Team. Interacts effectively with the Board of Public Utilities as requested by the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer.
16. Serves as Acting Vice President – Chief Legal Officer in the absence of the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer and Deputy General Counsel and as requested by the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer.
17. Performs other related duties as assigned by the Vice President – Chief Legal Officer or management.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Graduation from an American Bar Association approved law school is required. Must be admitted to practice law in Missouri State Courts and Federal Courts at the time of hire or within 30 days thereafter. Requires a minimum of five years’ experience as a practicing attorney. Previous utility, energy or regulatory experience or related background is preferred.

Licensing/Certification:

Current license to practice law in Missouri at the time of hire or within 30 days thereafter.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of civil practice and procedure.

• Thorough knowledge of federal, state and local laws and judicial decisions of federal and state courts.

• Knowledge or ability to learn legal principles with respect to general utility law, power sales contracts, and financing devices used in the utility industry.

• Knowledge or ability to learn environmental and regulatory law concerning utilities, insurance/risk management, benefits, NERC/FERC, local government, collections and real estate.

• Demonstrated ability to function well in conditions of time constraint and pressure, including maintaining professional relationships with all levels of managers.

• Must be articulate and skilled in oral and written communications plus have ability to relate to other employees and managers.

• Ability to analyze, evaluate and organize facts, evidence and legal procedures to present information orally and in writing in a clear and logical form.

• Must exhibit a high level of professional and ethical standards in all personal and business activities.

• Must have a demonstrated professional ability by practice accomplishments, academic achievements and/or previous job evaluations.

• Ability to successfully navigate various electronic programs including but not limited to Microsoft Office Suites, other applicable information technology applications, and self-service platforms.

Physical Requirements:

Typically, sedentary work. Ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and receive detailed information through oral communication. Substantial movements of the wrists, hands and/or fingers, and close visual acuity to operate a computer is required.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment. However, investigations may be at accident sites or rights-of-way with rugged terrain under all sorts of weather conditions.

Miscellaneous Requirements:

• Must be able to work successfully with diverse groups of people.

• Employee must remain alert and aware of their surroundings at all times and maintain the ability to respond to changing circumstances in a timely manner.

EEO

City Utilities offers equal employment opportunities to individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, national origin, disability, age, veteran status, genetic information or marital status. Learn more about CU and EEO.