Principal Counsel and Regulatory Compliance Officer

Mission Statement: BED’s mission is to serve the energy needs of our customers in a safe, reliable, affordable, sustainable, and socially responsible manner. BED’s four key values are: Safety, Reliability, Community and Innovation. BED’s vision is to make Burlington a Net Zero Energy city by eliminating fossil fuel usage across the electric, thermal, and ground transportation sectors by strategically electrifying, managing demand, realizing efficiency gains, and expanding local renewable generation while increasing system resilience.

The Principal Counsel and Regulatory Compliance Officer leads BED’s regulatory engagement with the Department of Public Service and the Public Utility Commission. The position represents BED as legal counsel and provides legal advice on regulatory matters, and in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office may provide legal advice on other general matters. This position works closely with BED’s executive management team. The position also coordinates with The Director of Policy and Planning.   The position must collaborate effectively in particular with the Director of energy Services in matters related to BED’s EEU functions. Additionally, the position works collaboratively with all other BED divisions to ensure timely, accurate and complete regulatory filings. 

Union Affiliation: Non-Union
Pay Grade N16: $120,302.00 -  $166,178.68 Annually
Remote Tier 3: Up to two (2) days remote/week

• Represent BED as legal counsel and enter appearances when necessary in Public Utility Commission proceedings. Work with external counsel as directed.
• Serve on the BED leadership team, and work with BED’s managers and directors and supervisors to advance organizational goals.
• Provide legal advice or guidance, or review contracts or legal documents, in coordination or consultation with the City Attorney’s Office.
• Provide legal advice or guidance to BED as it relates to Public Utility Commission dockets, legal briefs, filings, and procedures; permits and permitting activity; drafting and reviewing of relevant regulatory memoranda of understanding; and/or engagement with the Department of Public Service.
• Monitor proceedings and work with other BED staff to develop strategy. Coordinate BED’s response as necessary.
• Draft and submit certain Public Utility Commission filings and/or provide support and review filings prepared by other team members providing citations to legal/regulatory precedent as needed.
• Primary liaison with attorneys and staff at the Department of Public Service, as well as legal counsel or regulatory compliance officers at other distribution and energy efficiency utilities. Develop and maintain strong working relationships through regular communication.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of state and local laws, rules, and regulations relevant to distribution and energy efficiency utility operations/business in Vermont, including Public Utility Commission and other legal precedents relevant to BED’s regulatory work and laws in other New England States to the extent they impact BED’s operations.
• Ensure timely, accurate, and complete regulatory filings, including SQRP and other compliance filings, periodic reports, rate case filings, tariff filings, and Energy Efficiency Utility and other filings.
• Lead internal, cross-disciplinary working group(s) related to regulatory matters.
• May participate or represent BED in external working groups or committees.
• Serve as BED’s primary compliance officer for state and local, and in some cases regional regulatory processes.
• May participate in state or regional energy regulatory meetings as necessary.
• Responsible for tracking of docket and compliance filing deadlines.

• Ability to actively support City diversity, equity, and cultural competency efforts within stated job responsibilities and work effectively across diverse cultures and constituencies.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion as evidenced by ongoing trainings and professional development.
• Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and current admission to practice law in Vermont required.
• Current admission to practice law in New England states other than Vermont a plus.
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience as an attorney required, with preference for experience in utility or regulatory representation as an attorney before a Public Utility Commission or similar entity.
• Knowledge of utility regulatory practice in Vermont preferred.
• Knowledge of utility rate case and tariff laws, rules, and procedures preferred.
• Knowledge of administrative law and procedure in Vermont preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with demonstrated abilities in translating technical information effectively for a diverse audience and public speaking, public information, and use of presentation software and equipment required.
• Ability to organize and prioritize workload, complete multiple projects, and meet established deadlines required.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and attention to detail required.
• Regular attendance is necessary and is essential to meeting the expectations of the job functions.
• Ability to understand and comply with City standards, safety rules and personnel policies.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid VT driver’s license required.
• Ability to establish and maintain good relations with co-workers.
• A strong desire to improve and maintain service to internal and external customers is required as is a high level of personal creativity, initiative, and enthusiasm to work within a constantly changing organization.
• Ability to work in a team environment.
• Must be able to listen to and appropriately react to a supervisor's constructive criticism and incorporate said criticism to improve employee performance.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision.

Promoting a culture that reveres diversity and equity.

The City of Burlington is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and we are strongly committed to creating a dynamic and equitable work-force that mirrors the population and world that we serve. We do not discriminate on the basis of political or religious affiliation, race, color, national origin, place of birth, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, crime victim status, veteran status, disability, HIV positive status, or genetic information in employment or the provision of services.

In addition to being an equal opportunity employer we actively encourage applicants who can contribute to our growing diversity to apply.

Applications for our employment opportunities are only accepted online through our Government Jobs website.

For accessibility information or alternative formats, please contact Human Resources Department at 802-540-2505 or careers@burlingtonvt.gov.