Associate General Counsel, Regulatory

Position Summary

At Otter Tail Power, our employees help us serve the communities we support by delivering reliable, affordable, and responsibly managed electricity. In this role, the Associate General Counsel will advise employees at all levels within the organization, including senior management, on State and Federal regulatory requirements, draft and negotiation transaction documents, oversee litigation, and manage outside counsel to support the advancement of the company's mission and goals while also maintaining compliance with regulations and laws. Our successful employees ensure that our customers and communities have the power they need for modern life. As our team continues to evolve and expand, we are adding to our capabilities to support growing business needs and increasing complexity across our work. This role reflects both the continued investment in our team and our commitment to building the right structure for long-term success. This role will report to the Senior Associate General Counsel.

What You’ll Do

• Advise management regarding business, legal and regulatory strategy and tactics alike, negotiate, interpret laws and regulations, and prepare legal documents.
• Manage activities related to litigation and regulatory matters to ensure Otter Tail Power Company's interests are advanced efficiently and in alignment with our values.
• Participate in filings and legal advocacy on behalf of Otter Tail Power Company at the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, North Dakota Public Service Commission, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and relevant appellate courts on rate, compliance, investigatory, and siting matters.
• Collaborate with various internal teams including Asset Management on transmission-and construction-related agreements, Regulatory to manage briefs, replies and other advocacy filings, and Customer Service to advise in territorial disputes, utility franchise, customer service matters, and tribal affairs.
• Provide counsel relating to land rights, easement acquisition, and, as necessary, condemnation. Represent the utility in right-of-way, third-party, and company siting/use and other local governmental matters.
• Facilitate discovery responses, depositions, preparation of motion papers, and preparation for trial.
• Litigate, negotiate, and settle, when appropriate, contested regulatory matters, including general rate cases, other rate recovery proceedings, contested FERC filings, and non-rate related proceedings.
• Manage and direct the activities of outside counsel to ensure Otter Tail Power Company receives responsive, cost-effective, and valuable legal services.

Qualifications

• Must be licensed to practice in any of the states of Minnesota, North Dakota, or South Dakota.
• J.D. degree from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant legal experience.
• Utility-related experience, in-house, law firm, or state regulatory, preferred.
• Ability to strategically identify critical and priority issues and define appropriate action.
• Demonstrated ability for developing and interpreting legal and regulatory contracts and orders.
• Experience in and demonstrated knowledge of federal and state regulatory models, regulation of business, economics of regulated (monopoly) industries, energy industry, utility rates and operations, broad understanding of stakeholder and other industry processes combined with an appreciation of the wider political, regulatory and industry environment.
• Positive, resilient people who can prioritize under unexpected or difficult deadlines and skillfully represent Otter Tail Power Company in a congenial and constructive manner.
• Superior leadership, interpersonal and communications skills, including research, technical and legal writing, and oral and presentation skills.
• Alignment with core values: Integrity, Community, Safety, Resourcefulness, Customer Service, and People.

Offering

• Competitive wage & benefit package.
• Expected offer for base compensation: $155,000 - $213,000 annually (actual compensation within the range varies based on factors relevant to the position).
• Incentive plans.
• Employee Stock Ownership options.
• Retirement Savings Fund with employer match.
• Health, disability and life insurance plan options.
• Training and development opportunities each year, including education reimbursement.
• Safety, technical, compliance and developmental training.
• Career development opportunities: leadership development programs, access to an a la carte online leadership course catalog, mentorship from current leaders.
• Mental health support from SupportLinc.
• Competitive vacation and sick leave.