Enforcement Attorney

$100,000.00 To $120,000.00 Annually

The Enforcement Attorney provides legal support to NPCC's Enforcement department. This role is responsible for investigating, assessing, and enforcing violations of mandatory North American Electric Reliability Corporation (NERC) Reliability Standards in the NPCC region. The attorney works with NPCC's enforcement team members, registered entities, as well as regulatory bodies, including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), NERC, and Canadian provincial regulatory authorities to support NPCC's mission.

Key Responsibilities:

• Investigate and resolve registered entity noncompliance with NERC Reliability Standards and NPCC Regional Reliability Standards.
• Assess the risk to the Bulk Power System of noncompliance. This involves reviewing evidence, interpreting NERC and NPCC Reliability Standards, and coordinating with subject matter experts.
• Review mitigation and/or work with entities to develop mitigation for noncompliance to ensure that noncompliance is corrected, and the mitigation prevents recurrence.
• Conduct discovery and ensure the development of a complete evidentiary record regarding noncompliance.
• Research applicable precedent to ensure appropriate and consistent dispositions of noncompliance.
• Recommend penalties and sanctions consistent with the FERC-approved Sanction Guidelines and ensure consistency in the application of penalties and sanctions among entities.
• Draft settlement agreements and lead negotiations with registered entities, including investor-owned utilities, Independent System Operators, and municipal utilities to resolve registered entities' noncompliance.
• Participate in workshops and forums to provide guidance on enforcement matters to registered entities.
• Prepare responses to U.S. and Canadian regulator inquiries and oversight of NPCC enforcement activities.
• Assist in the interpretation, development, and revision of enforcement policies and procedures in alignment with the broader ERO Enterprise.
• Provide support to NPCC staff, committees, subcommittees, task forces, and working groups, as necessary.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Skills:

• Education and Credentials: J.D. from an accredited law school; active membership in good standing with the New York State Bar (and/or other state bars).
• Experience: Minimum of 4 years of relevant legal experience in energy, administrative law, regulatory law, and/or complex litigation.

Core Competencies:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong interpersonal and conflict resolution skills.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a variety of custom secure data sharing portals and/or software tools.

Other Requirements:
Ability to travel in North America (up to 15%) for meetings and industry events. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. and comfortable navigating Canadian regulatory frameworks.