At La Plata Electric Association, our mission is to provide our members safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost while being environmentally responsible. We are shaping the future by building trustworthy community partnerships as an innovative, forward-thinking industry leader, delivering excellence in our member-owned cooperative.
Summary
The In-House Counsel is expected to promote and support LPEA’s Mission and Vision, Strategic Goals and Initiatives, the Code of Excellence, and LPEA’s Leadership Principles. As a member of the executive team, this position will promote a culture of safety for employees and the community and is responsible for the day-to-day representation of LPEA. The position’s primary responsibility is overseeing all legal matters (including support for senior management and the LPEA Board of Directors) when the Board Counsel is unavailable. In addition to routine legal support for electric cooperative operations, this position will also be responsible for managing state and federal regulatory matters and may interface with regulators responsible for environmental and operational regulation of LPEA’s activities. In-House Counsel is expected to utilize cross-functional teams and work with other department leaders to develop a strong collaborative working relationship across the cooperative.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
Actively promotes and supports LPEA’s Mission and Vision, Strategic Goals and Initiatives, the Code of Excellence, and LPEA’s Leadership Principles
Serves as General Counsel to LPEA
Works independently, sets objectives and goals, devises new methods to achieve goals, modifies or adopts standard procedures in a changing organization and makes decisions based on precedent and cooperative policy
Manages assigned legal and corporate functional areas either on an independent basis or in conjunction with other cooperative employees
Prepares, manages, and administers budget of the legal department
Provides legal services and counsel in assigned areas including, but not limited to, regulatory matters, property rights, land use, contracts, drafting, negotiation, human resources, dispute and litigation management and corporate governance
Provides and coordinates legal services for various departments; assigns, oversees and coordinates the services of outside legal counsel; and, when applicable, other professional consultants
Ensures the cooperative has relevant procedures and policies, and coordinates with various cooperative employees to keep them updated and maintained
Analyzes and manages corporate insurance needs, procurement, claims, and other related insurance items
Assists with corporate strategic initiatives, such as monitoring industry news, identifying potential strategic ideas to be considered, and aiding with setting and reporting on cooperative adopted goals
Supports special projects and all other departmental legal needs
Fosters and maintains relationships with cooperative statewide and national cooperative attorneys
Acts courteous and promotes good public relations with members and the general public
Possesses and maintains knowledge of both cooperative and for-profit business models as applied to both the electric utility and telecommunications industries, with a strong philosophical belief in the benefits of consumer ownership
Cultivates a productive yet collegial team atmosphere
Employs good judgment and sound people skills
Attends meetings, special courses and seminars to facilitate training, stays abreast with current industry trends
Participates in general staff meetings, strategic planning, board meetings and other internal meetings as directed
Serves on committees, organizations, agencies and groups as may be applicable to departmental functions or as may be directed by the CEO
The scope and duties of this position may change or be temporarily altered based on the legal and business needs of the cooperative. The basic requirement of every position is to perform all tasks as assigned by your supervisor
Supervisory Responsibilities
Position has no direct reports
Supervision of outside or partner counsel may be necessary
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily the requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; use hands to handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 20 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Benefits
Medical Insurance
Dental & Vision Insurance
Paid Vacation
Personal Leave
Sick Time
401(k)
Health Club Reimbursement
Language Skills
Ability to read and interpret documents such as financial statements, graphs and spreadsheets.
Ability to write reports and correspondence using proper AP-style grammar and punctuation.
Ability to speak effectively to customers or employees of the organization.
Mathematical Skills
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions, and decimals.
Ability to compute rate, ratio, and percent and to interpret line and bar graphs.
Reasoning Ability
Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
Education and/or Experience
Doctor of Jurisprudence, other higher education degree(s), industry certification(s) and/or practical application of skills in a related type of organization for a minimum of ten (10) years is required.
Should possess demonstrated legal expertise with minimum ten (10) years’ experience.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
Valid Colorado Driver's License
Colorado Bar Certification
Other Skills and Abilities
Must be able to deal discreetly with confidential information.
Computer skills with knowledge of spreadsheet and word processing programs is required.
Must possess high social competency and emotional intelligence
About La Plata Electric Association Inc.
LPEA is a member owned, not-for-profit, electric distribution cooperative serving La Plata and Archuleta, with segments of Hinsdale, Mineral and San Juan counties. There are 22 cooperatives in Colorado, LPEA is the fifth largest cooperative in the state providing safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost to approximately 34,200 members and powering more than 46,500 meters.
