Corporate Counsel - Senior Corporate Counsel

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 operating and planning the ERCOT transmission grid and administering the ERCOT wholesale power market, among other critical functions including serving as the Reliability Monitor for the ERCOT Region. The ERCOT Legal Department is seeking an experienced attorney to join its team in support of ERCOT’s role as the Reliability Monitor. The ideal candidate will have excellent written communication skills, exceptional attention to detail, and a keen interest in supporting ERCOT’s Reliability Monitor function.

The Texas Administrative Code defines the Reliability Monitor for the ERCOT Region as, “a person or entity selected by the commission to monitor compliance with all state reliability-related laws, rules, and ERCOT procedures including protocols, processes, and any other operating standards applicable to the ERCOT Region.” The Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) appointed ERCOT as the Reliability Monitor.

The ERCOT Reliability Monitor (ERM) is tasked with gathering and analyzing information and data to conduct reliability monitoring activities.

More Specifically, The ERM’s Duties And Responsibilities Include

• Monitoring, investigating, auditing, and reporting to the commission regarding compliance with reliability-related ERCOT procedures, including Protocols, Operating Guides, and Other Binding Documents, the reliability-related provisions of the commission’s rules, and reliability-related provisions of the Public Utility Regulatory Act;
• Providing reliability-related subject-matter advice, expertise, and assistance to the commission as part of its oversight and enforcement activities; and
• Providing expert advice, analysis, reports, and testimony services relating to the Reliability Monitor’s analysis and findings as part of the commission staff’s case in enforcement proceedings.
  
  
  

This position will primarily support ERCOT’s ERM function, which includes working with the ERCOT Compliance Department and other ERCOT subject matter experts on ERM activities and drafting written analysis for presentation to the PUC. Accordingly, the individual must sign a PUC-required Code of Conduct in addition to the standard ERCOT Employee Ethics Agreement.

Job Duties

• Provides advice and counsel on activities related to the ERM function
• Coordinates with ERCOT subject matter experts and the ERCOT Operations & Planning Compliance Department to analyze reliability-related issues
• Assists in drafting, reviewing, and revising reports to the PUC regarding reliability-related compliance matters
• Participates in monitoring, investigating, auditing, and reporting to the PUC regarding compliance with reliability-related laws, rules, and regulations, including ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides, and Other Binding Documents
• Provides reliability-related subject-matter advice, expertise, and assistance to the PUC as part of its oversight and enforcement activities
• Provides expert advice, analysis, reports, and testimony relating to the ERM’s analysis and findings as part of the PUC staff's case in enforcement proceedings
• Monitors and tracks PUC, FERC, NERC, Texas Register, Federal Register and relevant legislative matters and other governmental proceedings for reliability-related items
• Contributes to the writing, editing, and publishing of reports and filings required by the PUC. Reviews and interprets ERCOT Protocols, Operating Guides, Operating Procedures, and Other Binding Documents for internal departments and external parties
• Works with ERCOT Market Participants to address reliability-related issues and implement corrective action plans
• Provides training and legal advice to ERCOT employees on reliability-related compliance issues
• Understands and applies principles, theories, and concepts related to the profession and ERCOT's culture
• Exercises judgment within defined procedures and practices to determine appropriate action
• May respond to inquiries, assist or guide lower-level workers
  
  
  

Additional Job Duties

While supporting ERCOT’s ERM function will be the primary responsibility for this position, the successful applicant may also be asked to assist in other ERCOT legal matters not associated with ERM activities by:

• Providing legal advice and counsel to internal clients
• Performing legal research and drafting legal documents
• Representing ERCOT in regulatory matters
• Keeping abreast of legislative or regulatory requirements with potential impact on the organization
• Executing various tasks related to interpreting or revising ERCOT Protocols; rulemaking proceedings before the PUC; advice in regulatory compliance matters; contested cases pending before the PUC; and, potentially, litigation
• Delivering legal support and advice to the organization, including legal expertise and representation in regulatory affairs and the ERCOT stakeholder process
  
  
  

Experience

Corporate Counsel

• Requires minimum 3 years (Preferred: 5 years) job related work experience in excess of degree requirements
• Requires minimum 3 years (Preferred: 5 years) of progressively responsible legal experience related to administrative or regulatory matters, compliance, and/or litigation
  
  
  

Senior Corporate Counsel

• Requires minimum 5 (Preferred: 10 years) years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements
  
  
  

EDUCATION

• Bachelor's Degree: Any discipline (Required)
• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school (Required)
  
  
  

CERTIFICATION

• Admitted to practice before the State Bar of Texas (Required)
  
  
  

WORK LOCATION

• Must be on-site at the Austin office at least two days per week, or more, based on business needs and as determined by management
• Work arrangements are subject to business needs and subject to change
  
  
  

The foregoing description reflects the minimum qualifications and 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 duties expected to be performed and management may, at its discretion, revise or require other or different tasks be performed as assigned. As part of the interview process, candidates for the position may be asked to complete a writing exercise to evaluate legal writing and analytical skills. This job description is not intended to create a contract of employment with ERCOT. 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

$125,634 - $213,586