Assistant General Counsel (FERC)

Tallgrass is a leading energy infrastructure company focused on safely, reliably, and sustainably delivering the energy and services that power our nation and enable our quality of life. Tallgrass has been recognized consistently over the last eight years as a Top Workplace. We are proud to promote Tallgrass as a Top Workplace as we continue to build and nurture an inclusive and rewarding environment.

At Tallgrass, we value our teams and strive to create an environment where employees feel respected, and their contributions are valued. We aim to support employees' physical, mental, and financial well-being through a comprehensive Total Rewards Program. 

• Industry competitive pay
• Health insurance package options that include Flexible Spending & Health Savings Accounts 
• Infertility Coverage
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match that vests immediately plus an employer discretionary contribution of up to 4%
• Wellness Programs and Mental Health Resources
• Employer-paid life insurance, short-term disability, and long-term disability coverage
• Critical Illness & Accident Insurance
• Vacation, sick days, paid caregiver leave, volunteer and bereavement paid time off
• Identity theft protection
• Annual discretionary bonus
• Generous Tuition Reimbursement Program
• Company-paid holidays and floating holidays
• Company vehicle (if applicable)
• Employee discounts; vehicles, tires, cellular plans, and more
• Career pathing, development programs, and internship programs
• Remote flexibility

Location/Other: 

Our spacious Lakewood, CO office offers free parking, an on-site gym, and food trucks twice a month! We currently can hire for this position out of the following locations: Lakewood, CO, other Tallgrass offices, or FULLY REMOTE.  The pay range listed for this position is a good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible base compensation at the time of posting. 

Salary Range:$180,000.00 To 220,000.00 Annually 

Primary purpose:

Provide legal support on all matters related to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Interstate Commerce Act (ICA), Natural Gas Act, Federal Power Act, and other applicable federal, state and local energy regulations.  

Essential duties and responsibilities:

• Ten (10) years of relevant experience and command of FERC rules, regulations, and procedures relating to natural gas pipelines, crude oil pipelines, electricity, and general midstream business.
• Provide advice regarding compliance with applicable FERC and other regulatory tariffs, regulations, orders, policy statements, and standards of conduct.  
• Assist with FERC Compliance Program including drafting compliance plan, ensuring compliance with the plan, conducting annual training, and addressing any non-compliance events.
• Facilitate and oversee outside counsel and expert witnesses in FERC or other regulatory proceedings involving natural gas, liquids pipelines, and electricity, including rate, tariff, certificate, complaints, declaratory order petitions, and other filings.
• Coordinate/assist with the preparation of testimony, statements, schedules, data responses, pleadings, settlement negotiations, and litigation pertaining to FERC rate case proceedings
• Serve as key internal legal resource on all company regulatory matters.
• Draft commercial contracts in support of our regulated businesses, e.g., precedent agreements, transportation services agreements, and storage agreements.
• Draft, review and negotiate operational agreements such as interconnection, operational balancing agreements, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Draft pleadings, tariff changes, and transmittal letters, draft and prepare regulatory applications (e.g., certificates, petitions for declaratory orders), and draft comments or responses to proposed regulatory rulemaking or inquiries.
• Provide real-time advice on regulatory implications of commercial agreements and opportunities.
• Interpret tariffs, contracts, and other governing documents as to limitations, restrictions and opportunities.
• Manage regulatory litigation including drafting discovery responses, objections, and briefs 
• Assist with all regulatory filings and postings. 
• Attend and participate in staff meetings, other internal meetings, and meetings with customers, investors, partners, other third parties, FERC and/or state commissions as requested.
• Other daily, weekly, monthly or special project duties as identified and defined.

Minimum requirements:

Education:

• Juris Doctor from an accredited institution.

Experience/Specific Knowledge:

• Ten (10) years of relevant legal experience and command of FERC rules, regulations and procedures relating to natural gas pipelines, crude oil pipelines, electricity, and general midstream business.
• Experience working at a highly regulated energy pipeline or other midstream energy business.
• Experience supporting natural gas pipeline and midstream businesses.
• Intermediate proficiency level in MS Office applications that may include but are not limited to Excel, Word, Access, PowerPoint and Outlook.

Certifications, Licenses & Registrations:

• Must be licensed to practice law in the U.S. and eligible to waive into the Colorado Bar or practice pursuant to the state’s single-client counsel rule, C.R.C.P. 222.
• Must possess and maintain a valid driver’s license and a driving record satisfactory to the Company and its insurers (for travel).

Competencies, Skills & Abilities:

• Able to work independently and quickly, self-starter, successfully perform multiple tasks and balance competing demanding deadlines.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills and ability to listen carefully.
• Strong analytical skills and logical thought processes.
• Ability to write clearly and effectively.
• Proficiency with relevant legal research tools, including but not limited to FERC’s eLibrary and Lexis.
• Able to work with a team, take direction from management, adhere to required work schedules, focus attention on details, and follow work rules.
• Ability to organize and prioritize daily work.
• Ability to successfully perform multiple tasks with strict deadlines.
• Ability to maintain strict confidentiality.
• Must be able to perform all essential and marginal functions of the job.
• Deal with a wide variety of people with tact, courtesy and professionalism.
• Maintain regular, dependable attendance and a consistently high level of performance.
• Work non-traditional hours as needed.
• Job level commensurate with experience and skill sets; position will be filled depending on qualifications, experience and skill sets of the successful candidate.

Physical Demands:

All of the physical requirements listed below are those that may be necessary for 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.

• Sitting; standing; walking or moving throughout facility; driving; talking; seeing (specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus); hearing; feeling; bending or stooping; squatting or crouching; reaching; kneeling; pushing; pulling; lifting up to 25 lbs.
• Minimal safety hazards; general office working conditions.
• Must be able to sit for prolonged periods of time.
• The employee is regularly required to use hands to type, touch, handle, or feel.  The employee is required to talk and hear.  The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms.  The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance.  The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Working Conditions:

• Occasional overnight travel may be required.
• Required to carry a cell phone and be available to respond during working and non-working hours.
• The successful candidate will be required to clear a drug screen and a complete background check, including credit report for certain positions, after an offer has been extended and prior to being employed.

Supervisory Responsibility:

None.

PREFERRED EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE, CERTIFICATIONS, COMPETENCIES, SKILLS, & ABILITIES:

Above the minimum requirements; not required but advantageous in this position:

•      Experience in the Energy, Oil or Gas industries preferred.

• Top 25% of graduating class preferred.

Other responsibilities:

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed.  This position may perform other duties as assigned.

Tallgrass is an equal opportunity employer.  Qualified applicants are considered for positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, citizenship status, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability or any other legally protected status.  EOE/M/F/D/V