JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB SUMMARY

As the independent system operator (ISO) for the power system that serves the majority of Texas, the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Inc. () is responsible for operating and planning the transmission grid and administering the wholesale power market, among other critical functions. The Legal Department is seeking an experienced senior attorney to join its regulatory team. This job will focus on federal regulatory and legislative matters impacting , including proceedings before the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), but will also involve state regulatory and legislative matters—especially in the near term. 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 subject matter experts to assess the impacts of proposed regulatory and legislative changes on the ISO and its employees, the operation and planning of the grid, and the wholesale power market. Such regulatory changes include, but are not limited to, the development of NERC Reliability Standards, FERC rules, EPA rules, and PUCT rules, and state and federal legislation.
• Works with experts to develop and submit comments on such proposed standards, rules, and legislation in appropriate cases.
• Provides advice and counsel to employees regarding the impact of proposed and adopted standards, rules, and legislation.
• Works with employees to evaluate impact of industry-proposed changes to Protocols, the Operating Guide, the Planning Guide, and Operating Procedures and other relevant documents and to develop comments on such proposed changes, when appropriate.
• Advise employees in NERC audits and other compliance-related activities.
• Reviews and interprets requirements in Protocols, Operating Guides, Planning Guide, and Operating Procedures and other relevant documents for employees and external stakeholders.
• Ensure appropriate communication with PUCT Staff on important federal and state initiatives.
• When requested, it provides written summaries of important developments for executives, members of the Board of Directors, and key government stakeholders, including PUCT Commissioners.
• May represent 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 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 positions on ADRs.
• May perform other miscellaneous legal and regulatory functions.

EXPERIENCE

• Requires a minimum of 10 years job related work experience in excess of degree requirements.

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:

• Employees will be required to be on-site in Austin, TX at a minimum of 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.
• Employees may opt to work on-site more than required or 100% of the time