Associate Regulatory Counsel (Hybrid)

Description:

Position Summary:
The Associate Regulatory Counsel utilizes legal knowledge and skills to support and advance North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association's (NCSEA) policy positions at the NC Utilities Commission and in other legal venues. This position will collaborate closely with members of the regulatory affairs team to represent NCSEA and its members' interests before the NC Utilities Commission and other relevant legal bodies.

Responsibilities:
Policy and Legal Research

• Assist in the legal research and analysis to support the development of NCSEA's policy goals, positions, and desired outcomes.
• Draft legal memos/briefs, white papers, and other materials to communicate NCSEA's regulatory goals with staff, contractors, partners, members, and decision-makers.
• Monitor regulatory and legal activities, decisions, and other energy-related issues in North Carolina and in other states.

Regulatory

• Together with NCSEA's Regulatory Affairs team, represent NCSEA before the NC Utilities Commission (NCUC) and, if necessary, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and various courts on issues related to clean energy and energy efficiency.
• Perform legal research necessary for litigation.
• Assist with drafting high-quality legal filings including but not limited to motions, briefs, comments, and pre-filed witness testimony.
• Assist with completing administrative activities consistent with regulatory/legal requirements including the preparation and printing of service copies, hearing exhibits, etc.
• Participate in hearings before the NCUC including direct and cross-examination of witnesses, making appropriate objections, and oral arguments.
• Monitor and read filings made by other parties to ensure NCSEA staff are well-informed on issues of interest to the organization and our members.
• Collaborate with other participants in the regulatory process including utilities, other intervenors, the Public Staff, and regulators.
• Provide policy and legal support to NCSEA's government affairs team as needed.
• Member, Partner, and Industry Relationships
• Present NCSEA's policy goals, positions, and initiatives to a wide range of stakeholders, including industry, government, non-profit, foundations, and other relevant parties.
• Effectively convey complex legal and regulatory matters to non-legal audiences.
• Participate in working group meetings related to discrete industries or policy issues.

General Administration

• Supervise legal and policy interns, as necessary.
• Assist with the drafting of grant proposals, grant reporting, and other fundraising activities.
• Participate in NCSEA events and other activities, as required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Demonstrated policy analysis and legal research skills.
• Strong written and oral advocacy skills, with demonstrated attention to detail and the ability to persuasively communicate complex legal and technical information in a clear and concise manner.
• Strong communication, organizational, networking, and public speaking skills.
• Basic knowledge of the technical aspects of the electric grid and an aptitude for expanding technical knowledge.
• Familiarity with energy policy, particularly state and federal utility regulation and administrative law.
• Familiarity with the utility, clean energy, and energy efficiency industries and business models.
• Basic knowledge of Chapter 62 of the North Carolina General Statutes.
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).

Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA accredited law school required.
• Active license to practice law in the state of North Carolina, or eligibility to become licensed within 6 months required.
• A minimum of 1 year of professional experience is required, preferably in the area of energy or utilities law.
• This position is hybrid remote, but requires residence in the Raleigh Metro or NC Triangle areas.

NCSEA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.
We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (Including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. NCSEA believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success, and we seek to recruit, develop, and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool.

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