General Counsel

Position Summary
The General Counsel is responsible for providing professional, accurate, objective and timely legal advice and counsel to the Commission and District management and staff, including advice on local, state, and federal laws, contract issues, regulations and litigation, and policy management, all consistent with the professional obligations of public attorneys. The position is also responsible for legal oversite of matters relating to FERC license compliance and NERC reliability compliance. This includes negotiation of all permits, licenses and agreements necessary for the District ongoing and future operations.

Functions

Essential Functions

• Faithfully perform all duties and functions of a general legal counsel for a Public Utility District organized under the laws of the State of Washington to assist and facilitate the activities and lawful purposes of the District.
• Represent and direct the District's legal matters and services consistent with District goals, objectives, policies and budgets. Ensure compliance with local, state and federal laws. Advise on legal matters as necessary/upon request.
• Attend Board of Commissioners meetings and provide clear, accurate and direct advice regarding legal matters. Help the Board to be successful in discharging their duties. Provide advice to Board of Commissioners as appropriate.
• Institute legal proceedings whenever requested to do so by the Board of Commissioners or the General Manager, and accepting services of process for and entering the appearance of the PUD in the legal proceeding instituted against it, and representing the PUD, the Board ofCommissioners, and the officers and employees of the PUD for acts performed in their official capacity.
• Arrange for outside legal counsel and specialty legal services as may be required and appropriate. Direct, supervise and review the work of outside legal specialists to ensure the best interests of the District are being met in a cost-effective manner.
• Responsible for District contracts, legal documents and resolutions. Oversee the preparation of and review all contracts and agreements on all District matters. Ensure proper formation and execution of contracts and other legal documents in accordance with state and federal requirements.
• Educate and train District staff; ensure statutes and governmental rules and regulations pertaining to or affecting District operations are known by employees and properly observed.
• Review and evaluate District policies to ensure compliance with legal requirements.
• Provide communication and reporting of activities to the General Manager.
• Oversee all Public Records Requests to ensure compliance and timely, accurate responses. Provide guidance to the Public Records Officer.
• Participate in the CBA negotiations and any grievance processes.
• Cooperate with other counsel retained by the PUD, and as appropriate, make joint or independent recommendations and reports to the Board of Commissioners and the General Manager.

Compliance:

• Implementation of Standards: Oversees the coordination for the implementation of the District's reliability compliance standards as set forth by regulatory requirements from NERC, FERC, WECC and other regulatory agencies; standard practices, procedures and guidelines for reliability compliance; identifies and resolves complex reliability and implementation problems; provides standards, procedures and training to ensure that reliability compliance operations are completed and are in compliance with all applicable regulations; suggests procedures to improve effectiveness.
• Manage Regulatory Compliance by ensuring the development, completion and timely submittal of forms and reports required by FERC, NERC, WECC and other regulatory agencies.
• Review and ensure that information received meets regulatory standards.
• Manages the District's reliability activities in accordance with compliance monitoring enforcement program methods.
• Oversee comprehensive audits of registered District functions and operational activities to evaluate District compliance with NERC reliability standards and WECC regional reliability standards; reports to management any adverse conditions/activities that may compromise system reliability, safety, or the District's ability to comply with regulatory codes and procedures; reviews previous audit findings; identifies trends, weaknesses, and/or problem areas that may have negative impact on District operations or reliability standards; conduct investigations into potential and alleged violations and assist in the determination of the actuality of these alleged violations in reliability standards.
• Provide guidance to ensure compliance with laws and regulations.

Other Duties

• Must work directly or indirectly with District customers on a regular, ongoing basis. Must provide a high level of professional, prompt, efficient, accurate, courteous, and reliable service in such a manner as to reflect favorably on the District and to ensure high quality service to District customers.
• Understand and demonstrate a commitment to the District’s mission, vision, core values, and strategic plan.
• Adhere to all safety policies and procedures. Promote a safe work environment for all employees, contractors, and customers, in order to ensure a reliable workforce and an educated community.
• Be respectful of all employees and customers, listening to their requests and understanding their needs.
• Act as a responsible steward of public assets and trust. Foster open and honest communications, listen, and understand other perspectives.
• Foster teamwork and promote unity of the District and its departments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must be an attorney of law, licensed to practice in the State of Washington. Active membership in the Washington State Bar Association and continuing legal education are required. Significant/relevant legal experience and background, including experience in municipal, contract and general business law, is required.
• Thorough understanding of the laws of public utility districts. Skilled in the use of personal computers and related software, including word processing and electronic spreadsheets. Able to obtain, compile, analyze and report data and statistics. Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate difficult concepts, in both oral and written forms, using tact and reasonable judgment. Skilled at legal research and analysis through multiple platforms.
• Experience working with a governing/policy setting board such as a Board of Commissioners, city council, or other elected officials who take an active policy role; experience working with a public sector organization with direct accountability to the community, including community relations/information programs. Experience working with state legislators and in courtroom environments.
• Demonstrated ability to resolve conflict in a cost-effective manner with sensitivity to political dynamics; deal with complex legal/jurisdictional issues, legal contracts and responsibilities. Ability to differentiate between political/policy issues, operational/administrative issues and legal matters. Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a wide variety of arenas. Ability to manage confidential information. Ability to effectively perform in pressure situations and under stringent and critical deadlines.
• General working knowledge of hydroelectric, generating utility and domestic water issues. General working knowledge of permitting for various construction projects, including, but not limited to, rights-of-way clearing, SEPA, etc. General working knowledge of electric utility, water operations and engineering practices. General working knowledge of the process of relicensing hydroelectric facilities under the regulations of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, including environmental, mitigation and recreational requirements
• Interpersonal skills including clear and concise communication both in writing and verbally.
• Ability to use independent and discretionary judgment.
• Valid driver license.
• Post-offer background check.

Physical Requirements

• Most working time is sedentary in nature, or standing/walking primarily in a controlled office environment. Occasional trips to other District work sites and other locations for project work, meetings, training, etc.
• Frequent use of a computer and exposure to terminal screens.
• Frequent repetitive hand/wrist motions and finger manipulation.
• Frequently handle material of moderate weight, up to 15 pounds and occasionally 25 pounds.
• There is occasional exposure to hazards or risk of injury that are primarily protected against or predictable.
• Typically requires use of one of more senses of medium intensity and long duration.
• Under regular pressure to meet deadlines, perform tasks with a high degree of accuracy, process a large volume of work and resolve issues related to business needs of the District.