Public Utility Counsel and Regulatory Compliance Officer

General Purpose

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 Public Utility Commission 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. This position works closely with BED’s executive management team and coordinates with the Director of Policy and Planning, as well as the Director of Energy Services related to BED’s EEU functions.

The position also works collaboratively with all other BED divisions to ensure timely, accurate, and complete regulatory filings.

Union Affiliation: Non-Union

Pay Grade N16: $ - $ 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.
• 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 processes.
• Responsible for tracking of docket and compliance filing deadlines.
• Serve on the BED leadership team.

• 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 in legal utility or regulatory representation as an attorney before a Public Utility Commission required.
• Knowledge of utility regulatory practice in Vermont required, with strong preference for understanding of Energy Efficiency Utility (EEU) regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of utility rate case and tariff laws, rules, and procedures required.
• Knowledge of administrative law and procedure in Vermont required.
• Demonstrated leadership and project management skills required.
• St…