Staff Attorney in Moore, OK for Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (2024)

Internal Number: 291212

Applications will be accepted until July 22, 2024 - Apply on-line at www.wfec.com

SUMMARY:Under the general supervision of the V.P., Legal & Regulatory Compliance, the Staff Attorney provides legal advice and counsel to Cooperative management and personnel on a variety of topics including: regulatory compliance, contract development, contract administration, litigation management, legal correspondence, and the creation and review of business documents such as contracts, interconnection agreements, transmission service agreements, and regulatory matters involving power supply, transmission services and reliability. The incumbent researches, drafts, reviews, interprets and negotiates legal documents on behalf of various departments on a wide range of legal questions. From time to time, the incumbent manages litigation. The Staff Attorney will assist with regulatory compliance issues, including North American Electric Reliability Corporation compliance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:Includes the following; other duties may be assigned. Provides WFEC management and staff with legal consultation, advice, and/or litigation management and carries out the legal processes necessary to affect the rights, privileges, and obligations of the cooperative. Gathers and assimilates evidence and information and performs legal research and answers questions to support management decision making. Develops, implements, and maintains a document management process including guidelines and policies related to retention, destruction and legal holds and releases of paper documents, contracts, and electronic documents and correspondence based on regulatory requirements and sound business practices and implements such through various staff and resources. Maintains a working knowledge of various regulatory and compliance requirements including those of the Rural Utilities Service (RUS), Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), the North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), Southwest Power Pool (SPP), United State Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), United States Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS), Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Oklahoma Corporation Commission (OCC). Provides counsel and direction for management and staff on compliance issues, reviews, and the cooperative's responsibilities in compliance areas, specifically including, but not limited to, NERC reliability and critical infrastructure protection standards and requirements, FERC matters including filing and intervention as appropriate, SPP business practices and tariff requirements, state public utility commissions, or similar regulatory bodies. Provides interpretation of laws, regulations, standards, and requirements. Prepares and reviews various legal instruments and documents, such as contracts, leases, licenses, purchases, sales, and real estate documents. Represents WFEC during business contract negotiations as assigned. Manages litigation as assigned including examination and assessment of legal data to determine advisability of prosecuting or defending a lawsuit. Works closely with and optimizes efficient utilization of outside counsel in various areas of expertise. Reviews and maintains current knowledge regarding pending or proposed legislation or regulation on the federal and state level and advises management regarding perspective impacts on the Cooperative. Interacts with various government agencies as required. Works with Human Resources on property and casualty insurance policy interpretations and claims filings. Meets goals and expectations of department and performs other duties as assigned by supervisor.

COMPETENCIES:To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Analysis/Design:Synthesizes complex or diverse information; Collects and researches data; Uses experience to complement data; Designs workflows and procedures; Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into images; Uses feedback to modify designs; Applies design principles; Demonstrates attention to detail.

Problem Solving:Identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner; Gathers and analyzes information skillfully; Develops alternative solutions; Works well in group problem solving situations; Uses reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professional Knowledge:Generates creative solutions; Translates concepts and information into applications; Uses feedback to modify recommendations; Pursues training and development opportunities; Strives to continuously build knowledge and skills; Shares expertise with others.

Oral and Written Communication:Speaks clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations; Listens and gets clarification; Responds well to questions; Demonstrates group presentation skills; Participates in meetings; Writes clearly and informatively; Varies writing style to meet needs; Presents numerical data effectively; Able to read and interpret written information.

Teamwork:Balances team and individual responsibilities; Exhibits objectivity and openness to others' views; Gives and welcomes feedback; Able to build morale and group commitments to goals and objectives; Supports everyone's efforts to succeed.

Planning/Organizing:Prioritizes and plans work activities; Uses time efficiently; Sets goals and objectives; Develops realistic action plans.

Project Management:Develops project plans; Coordinates projects effectively; Communicates changes and progress; Completes projects on time and budget; Manages project team activities.

Adaptability:Adapts to changes in the work environment; Manages competing demands; Changes approach or method to best fit the situation; Able to deal with frequent change; delays, or unexpected outcomes.

Customer Service:Manages difficult or emotional customer situations; Responds promptly to customer needs; Solicits customer feedback to improve service; Responds to requests for service and assistance; Meets commitments to customers.

Cost Consciousness:Works within approved budget; Develops and implements cost saving measures; Conserves organizational resources.

QUALIFICATIONS:To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and behaviors required of this position.

Education and Experience:Requires a J.D. or LL.B. degree from an accredited law school and five (5) years of progressively responsible legal experience in, or representing, an electric utility, corporate environment, or government entity as corporate counsel, staff attorney, or legal representative.

Language Skills:Requires the ability to read, analyze, and interpret the most complex documents; respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints; write documents, speeches and articles using original or innovative techniques or style; and make effective and persuasive speeches and presentations on controversial or complex topics to top management, public groups, and/or boards of directors.

Math Skills:Requires the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals; compute rate, ratio, and percent and to draw and interpret bar graphs.

Reasoning Ability:Requires the ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; interpret an extensive variety of instructions in written form and deal with several abstract andconcrete variables.

Computer Skills:Requires skilled use of a personal computer and Microsoft Office Suite.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS:Requires a valid driver's license and a license to practice law in the State of Oklahoma. If licensed in another state must be willing to obtain State of Oklahoma license.

WORK SCHEDULE REQUIREMENTS:The incumbent works standard office hours. Work may be required in addition to, and outside of, regularly scheduled work hours. Travel on short notice may be required.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and distance vision.

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. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

MUST MEET ALL PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS

WFEC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY PROVIDER AND EMPLOYER

MINORITIES, FEMALES, DISABILITY, AND

VETS ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY

EOE/AA/M/F/DISABILITY/VETS