Regulatory Counsel

Location 500 Cooperative Way, Brighton, CO, 80603, United States Base Pay $119,800.00 - $143,185.00 / Year Employee Type Exempt Required Degree Doctorate The Regulatory Counsel provides legal guidance regarding federal, state, and local regulatory matters affecting the electric cooperative’s operations, energy supply, transmission, rates, compliance, and governance. This role supports the cooperative’s mission by advising leadership on utility regulation, risk management, and emerging energy policy issues, with a particular focus on regulatory matters. The position works closely with executive leadership, operations, engineering, finance, power supply, government affairs, and external stakeholders to ensure compliance with applicable laws and regulations, including those administered by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC), and related agencies. The Regulatory Counsel will ensure appropriate compliance with entry into the Southwest Power Pool regional transmission organization. Essential Job Functions Provide legal counsel on utility regulation, wholesale power markets, and compliance matters. In partnership with the legal department, represent or coordinate representation of the cooperative in proceedings before regulatory agencies, including FERC. Monitor and interpret changes in federal and state energy laws, regulations, and public policy. Advise internal stakeholders regarding regulatory filings, reporting obligations, and compliance programs. Assist with reliability and compliance matters involving NERC, WECC, and other agencies. Together with regulatory staff, develop and maintain compliance policies and internal controls. Support enterprise risk management initiatives and regulatory strategy. Collaborate with government affairs and industry associations on legislative and regulatory initiatives. In coordination with government relations, participate in industry working groups and utility trade organizations. Build productive relationships with regulators, member cooperatives, and public stakeholders. Maintain a thorough understanding of pending regulatory proceedings, rulemakings, and initiatives affecting the cooperative’s business interests. Review contracts to ensure compliance with applicable regulations. Participate in the development of regulatory strategies and policies that support the cooperative’s overall business strategies. Works cross-functionally with internal experts to align regulatory compliance and policy objectives with operational and strategic goals. Creates, expands, and maintains professional and productive working relationships with peers and stakeholders. Works collaboratively with colleagues and fosters a spirit of cooperation and inclusion in the workplace. Perform other such duties as may be requested or assigned to fulfill the needs of United Power in the interest of good management practice. Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Strong legal, analytical, research, and written communication skills, enabling the individual to evaluate complex information, conduct thorough research, and produce clear, well-structured legal documentation. Ability to communicate complex regulatory issues clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences, ensuring that policy implications and regulatory requirements are easily understood across stakeholder groups. Proven ability to work collaboratively across departments and with external stakeholders, fostering productive relationships and ensuring policy development incorporates diverse perspectives. Demonstrated ability in legal, regulatory, and policy analysis, including the ability to interpret legislation, assess regulatory impacts, and provide evidence-based and legally sound recommendations. Strong strategic thinking skills, enabling the individual to anticipate challenges, evaluate long-term implications, and contribute to forward-looking legal and policy planning. Juris Doctorate with Demonstrated Experience In Regulatory law and familiarity with the Administrative Procedures Act Preferred experience with Federal energy regulation (e.g., FERC) and/or Colorado state utility regulation Understanding or ability to quickly learn power generation, distributed energy resources, or behind-the-meter technologies, and cooperative utility structures and governance. Supervision Received and Exercised No Supervisory duties. Works under limited supervision from the Vice President and Government Relations Officer, Deputy General Counsel. Problem Solving This role requires advanced, independent problem-solving. The employee will routinely synthesize complex datasets and regulatory materials, identify gaps or risks, and design evidence-based, innovative solutions to ambiguous policy challenges. Strong legal and analytical rigor, diligence, and the ability to translate findings into clear, well-structured documentation are essential to ensure decisions are defensible and auditable. The position operates with substantial discretion and latitude in day-to-day work. The employee is trusted to prioritize competing requests, sequence research and stakeholder engagement, and determine the appropriate level of analysis depth without step-by-step direction. While strategic priorities and final decisions rest with leadership, employees exercise professional judgment in methodology, messaging, and documentation standards. Given regular access to sensitive information, they must uphold strict confidentiality and exercise the highest ethical judgment when handling data, stakeholder input, and draft recommendations. The role carries significant liaison responsibilities, serving as a connector among technical experts, legal/regulatory partners, operational teams, and non-technical executives. Success hinges on clear relationship management, the ability to translate complex legal and regulatory issues for diverse audiences and maintain credibility and trust. Essential Physical and Mental Requirements The employee must be able to remain at a workstation for extended periods while performing analysis, drafting documents, and reviewing detailed materials. The role requires the ability to read and interpret large volumes of written material, digital documents, spreadsheets, and legal and regulatory texts with precision and focus. The employee must be able to operate a computer, keyboard, mouse, and other standard office equipment efficiently and repetitively. The job may require short periods of standing, walking within the office, attending in-person meetings, or moving between workstations or conference rooms. The individual must be able to speak clearly, listen actively, and engage in discussions in both in-person and virtual environments. This role may involve occasionally lifting or transporting light office materials, such as laptops, binders, or documents, typically under twenty pounds (20 lbs.). The employee must be able to work in a standard office environment, which may include open workspaces, routine noise levels, and extended periods of screen exposure. Occasional travel may be requested. Working Conditions This job is typically performed in an office building at normal temperatures. The noise level rarely exceeds 50-60 decibels, which is the range for normal conversation. There are no known atmospheric conditions or hazards associated with this position. Periodic remote work is acceptable with supervisor permission. Pay Grade Pay Grade: 21: $119,800 - $143,185 annually. Position is within a grade with a maximum of $166,570. Benefits In addition to a competitive salary, we offer a generous benefits package that includes an employee retirement plan, 401K with match, paid holidays, vacation & sick leave, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability, long-term disability, and life insurance. Equal Opportunity Statement United Power is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. United Power prohibits discrimination against applicants or employees on the basis of age 40 and over, race, gender identity, sex, sexual orientation, color, religion, military or veteran status, national origin, disability, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by state or local law. Pre-Employment Screening Notice This position is subject to pre-employment drug screening, consistent with Colorado law and federal regulations. Applicants should be aware that a positive drug test—including for marijuana—may disqualify them from employment, as permitted under Colorado law. Additional information about our drug-testing policy will be provided during the hiring process. #J-18808-Ljbffr City of Lincoln