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Environmental Defense Fund · 2 weeks ago

Senior Attorney, Texas Clean Affordable Power

Austin, TX

Full-time

Hybrid

Senior Level

$122K/yr - $129K/yr

7+ years exp

Environmental Defense Fund is dedicated to achieving clean air and a stable climate through strategic regulatory advocacy. The Senior Attorney, Texas Clean Affordable Power will lead legal and regulatory advocacy efforts in Texas, focusing on clean energy solutions and representing EDF before key regulatory bodies.

Clean EnergyCleanTechEnvironmental Engineering

Responsibilities

Partner with EDF’s State Director for Texas and other colleagues in the U.S. Region and Energy Transition teams to set and advance project goals, objectives, strategies, and tactics for our utility regulatory advocacy in Texas

Lead the development of briefs and motions and draft litigation filings and administrative comments advocating for relevant priorities

Conduct research and prepare legal analysis and formal and informal written materials, for internal and external audiences, on legal, legislative, and regulatory issues facing Clean Affordable Power and relevant teams

Assess the legal rigor of policy proposals and ensure that EDF priority policies have a robust legal underpinning

Participate in advancing EDF Organizational Effectiveness and Culture (OEC) goals in which people from all backgrounds and experiences feel connected, included, and empowered to address the environmental and organizational challenges in alignment with EDF values

Collaborate with internal EDF partners to develop and implement effective communication strategies to build public understanding about clean energy infrastructure

Influence decisionmakers through legal filings, official comments, individual and working group meetings as appropriate, and stakeholder engagement

Understand legal policymaking process requirements in Texas and ensure that our advocacy campaigns account for these processes

Ensure utility regulatory priority policies are reflective of the best legal, economic, and technical expertise at EDF

Represent EDF at critical external venues, including conferences and hearings

Retain and manage outside counsel in legal engagements

Oversee production of policy-relevant analyses and factual testimony, including by EDF internal experts as well as external consultants

Build, grow and maintain relationships with strategic partners, including environmental justice and community-based organizations

Work with various coalitions to achieve strategic objectives

Support fundraising, including contributing to proposals, growing relationships with donors and foundation officers, tracking and reporting progress, and other functions

Coordinate and collaborate across EDF and multidisciplinary teams to ensure success and alignment with strategies, goals, and objectives

Depending upon future staff levels and needs, this position may supervise at least one attorney

Mentor junior legal employees, fellows, interns, etc. as applicable

Additional relevant responsibilities as assigned

Qualification

Juris DoctorateTexas Bar MembershipRegulatory AdvocacyLitigation ExperienceERCOT Procedural RulesPUCT Procedural RulesEnergy Policy DevelopmentStakeholder EngagementAnalytical SkillsCultural CompetencyOral CommunicationWritten CommunicationProblem-Solving SkillsInterpersonal SkillsNegotiation Skills

Required

7+ years of relevant professional experience, including at least 3 years practicing before ERCOT and/or the PUCT required

Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school and an active bar membership in Texas, in good standing, required

Proficiency with ERCOT and PUCT procedural rules and conventions

Familiarity with major energy issues facing Texas (e.g., data centers and load growth, electrification of end-uses, electric distribution and transmission system planning, renewable generation, electricity market design, energy affordability etc.), and ability to substantively engage therewith

Experience interfacing with a range of stakeholders, including community leaders, companies, industry trade associations, and policymakers with the ability to garner consensus between disparate groups

Demonstrated experience in regulatory advocacy, litigation, and/or policy development at the state or federal level

Excellent oral and written communication, with demonstrated ability to effectively communicate comprehensive subject matter expertise and technical and policy findings to colleagues, policymakers, other stakeholders and allies, journalists, and the general public

Ability to deploy and integrate science, law, economics, and advocacy tools to initiate and win positive environmental change

Ability to recognize and build on political opportunities for progress

Strong presentation, interpersonal, and negotiation skills

Strong analytical, research, and problem-solving abilities; attentive to detail, proactive, and highly organized

Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team across multiple time zones

Demonstrated self-awareness, cultural competency and inclusivity, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders across all cultures and backgrounds

Commitment to EDF's mission and values, and to advancing clean air and climate solutions

Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Ability and willingness to travel up to 10% of the time