Senior Counsel

Minnkota Power Cooperative•Grand Forks, ND

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Minnkota Power Cooperative is seeking applicants for the position of Senior Counsel in our Legal Department at our headquarters in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Senior Counsel provides general cooperative legal support for Minnkota Power as well as the member systems. This position also provides and oversees real estate and contract support. The Senior Counsel role will also provide legal assistance to Minnkota employees on their respective areas of responsibility. The pay range for this position begins at $147,714 per year. Appropriate compensation will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and any previous relevant experience.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate required.
Admission to state bar of North Dakota and Minnesota is required.
Must be registered or eligible to be registered as a lobbyist.
Must maintain a valid driver’s license.
10 years of diversified legal experience in either a corporate setting or private practice.
Must have effective communications skills, be diplomatic but persuasive, and be capable of analyzing issues from a strategic perspective.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience with legislative activity is desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide general cooperative legal support.
Assists the resolutions committee frame resolutions for the Minnkota annual meeting.
Ensures that RUS regulations are being followed.
Represents Minnkota and Square Butte at administrative hearings and in court as is required.
Leads or participates in negotiations for the recovery of damages when necessary.
Drafts documents to be filed in legal actions and regulatory matters in a timely manner.
Give legal opinions given on behalf of Minnkota and Square Butte.
Provides legal support for Minnkota’s transmission function.
Represents Minnkota in its role as a transmission provider and interests of Minnkota interconnection customers, on legal, contractual and administrative matters involving the Midwest ISO and/or other neighboring ISO/RTO’s.
Represents Minnkota at audit/investigation, enforcement, and settlement concerning the Midwest Reliability Organization.
Provides reviews and carries out legal evaluation of NERC reliability-related compliance activities.
Provides on-going advice on NERC compliance and applicable risk exposure.
Develops, reviews and modifies and assists in the maintenance of tariff-related documentation, procedures and related policies.
Provides and oversees real estate support.
Drafts or reviews agreements for the purchase or sale of real estate.
Ensures that titles are marketable prior to any real estate transaction.
Develops and reviews property rental agreements.
Develops real estate resolutions for board approval.
Drafts documents that clear title on real estate.
Assists Right of Way Department in real estate acquisitions.
Develop and review contracts.
Reviews contracts from all departments prior to signature.
Develops and modifies standard contracts to be used for procurement of goods and services.
Develops contracts to special requirements including Minnkota’s transmission operator status.
Reviews power supply agreements.
Reviews, interprets, and develops amendments to Minnkota and Square Butte contracts.
Provide legal counsel to Minnkota Staff.
Provides legal interpretation and guidance to Minnkota staff on matters relating to their respective areas of responsibility.
Participates in meetings on issues where there may be potential legal ramifications.
Participates as a team member providing legal coverage for Minnkota projects including major transmission line construction.
Stays abreast on laws and regulations with particular legal exposure such as OFCC, FLSA, OSHA, ERISA, and EPA to be able to assist corporate staff.
Provides legal support for Minnkota’s role as transmission operator.
Represents Minnkota and/or provides legal support in hearings with regulatory agencies.
Coordinates and controls activities between outside counsel and staff on legal issues.
Provides assistance in Deputy General Counsel Duties.
Represents and provides legal services to the Minnkota Square Butte Board in Deputy General Counsels absence.
Provides legal and parliamentary service when required to the Minnkota and Square Butte members at their annual and member meetings.
Provides legal services to member system clients.
Provides general legal services to distribution cooperative clients.
Provides legal interpretation and guidance to distribution cooperative staff on matters relating to their respective areas of responsibility.
Provides counsel during distribution cooperative board meetings and committee meetings.
Provides counsel during distribution cooperative annual meetings.
Provides legal support, including legal opinions for financing and special projects.
Represents clients in arbitrations, court and regulatory issues as necessary.