Clean Energy Program Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney

POSITION SUMMARY

Western Resource Advocates (WRA) is seeking a highly motivated, creative, and strategic attorney to join our team in Nevada. The Nevada Clean Energy Program Staff Attorney or Senior Staff Attorney will be responsible for developing and advancing equitable legislative, administrative, and local policy solutions that move the region toward a clean energy economy and address climate change in Nevada. This position will report to the Clean Energy Deputy Director, and will work closely with WRA’s Clean Energy Program and Government Affairs staff to shape state and local energy policy and increase Nevada’s participation in global climate change solutions through negotiation and strategic litigation. This individual should possess analytical chops, strong writing skills, and sound judgment.

ABOUT WESTERN RESOURCE ADVOCATES

WRA fights climate change and its impacts to sustain the environment, economy, and people of the West. We respect the different needs of diverse people and partner with them to develop a shared vision for progress—one that advances communities while protecting biodiversity.

Our team of policy experts, scientists, economists, and attorneys has a 30-year history of working where decisions are made, sweating the details, creating evidence-based solutions, and holding decisionmakers accountable. This on the ground work with policymakers and other advocates advances clean energy, protects air, land, water, and wildlife—and sustains the lives and livelihoods of the West.

LOCATION

The position can work remotely from the Carson City, Reno, or Las Vegas metropolitan areas; work from WRA’s Carson City office; or a hybrid remote and in-office option. Working remotely from Las Vegas may require more frequent travel.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES

Staff Attorney Responsibilities

• Represent WRA as an attorney and policy advocate in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and other Nevada regulatory agencies, courts, legislative bodies, and other forums.
• Provide counsel and strategic advice regarding state and federal energy regulation, climate policy, and administrative law.
• Prepare discovery, pleadings, oral argument, cross-examination, and testimony for adversarial proceedings.
• Negotiate and draft settlement agreements.
• Provide legal and strategic business advice on non-regulatory matters as needed.
• Work with WRA’s Communications and Government Affairs staff and consultants to develop communication and political strategies to advance WRA’s objectives.
• Assist with guidance and supervision of outside experts and legal consultants.
• Provide legal and strategic business advice on non-regulatory matters as needed.
• Monitor and track relevant state and federal policies.
• With assistance from the Clean Energy Program Deputy Director, supervise the Nevada Clean Energy Program Legal Assistant.
• A staff attorney will typically have between 2-8 years of relevant experience.

Senior Staff Attorney Responsibilities

A Senior Staff Attorney will have the following responsibilities and can perform these responsibilities with minimal supervision:

• Represent WRA as an attorney and policy advocate in proceedings before the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and other Nevada regulatory agencies, courts, legislative bodies, and other forums.
• Provide counsel and strategic advice regarding state and federal energy regulation, climate policy, and administrative law.
• Prepare discovery, pleadings, oral argument, cross-examination, and testimony for adversarial proceedings.
• Negotiate and draft complex settlement agreements.
• Provide legal and strategic business advice on non-regulatory matters as needed.
• Build trust and leadership relationships with representatives of regulated utilities, regulators, consumer advocates, clean energy and environmental advocates and other electric industry stakeholders.
• Identify and manage effective coalitions of diverse partners to achieve results.
• Work with WRA’s Communications and Government Affairs staff and consultants to develop communication and political strategies to advance WRA’s objectives.
• Assist with guidance of outside experts and legal consultants.
• Provide legal and strategic business advice on non-regulatory matters as needed.
• Monitor and track relevant state and federal policies.
• Assist other teams within WRA’s Clean Energy Program on an as-needed basis.
• Advise the Clean Energy Program on strategy and the development of equitable policies.
• Independently supervise the Nevada Clean Energy Program Legal Assistant.
• A senior staff attorney will typically have at least 8 years of relevant experience.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Juris Doctor degree from ABA accredited law school.
• Licensed to practice law in Nevada or in the process of becoming licensed.
• Background in environmental, energy, or other types of administrative law.
• Ability to manage a deadline-driven docket of regulatory litigation.
• Understanding of current issues in energy and climate regulation and policy.
• Excellent analytical skills.
• Strong written and oral communication abilities.
• Comfort in communicating with a variety of policymakers, constituencies, and audiences.
• Ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with a variety of stakeholders.

Senior Staff Attorney Qualifications & Competencies

To be considered for Senior Staff Attorney, in addition to the above qualities and competencies, a candidate should demonstrate at least two of the following:

• Experience independently managing a deadline-driven docket of complex regulatory litigation, with minimal supervision.
• Significant experience as a litigator in public utilities regulatory proceedings, ideally in Nevada.
• Experience with air quality law or climate policy.
• Existing relationships with key stakeholders or policymakers in the Nevada energy community.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  Some small amount of travel may be required within WRA seven-state region to attend retreats and other events.

SALARY AND BENEFITS

The salary range for the Staff Attorney position is $65,300 to $89,700 annually, and for the Senior Staff Attorney position is $86,500 to $115,300 annually; salary depends on relevant experience and new staff rarely start at the top of the range. WRA’s excellent benefits package includes a 401(k)-retirement plan with up to 5% matching and health, dental, vision, and life & disability insurance with 100% of premiums for employee coverage paid by WRA. Annually, staff receive three weeks paid vacation leave to start, twelve paid sick days, one paid volunteer day, one paid birthday off, 12 paid holidays, and WRA is closed for Winter Break between Christmas Day and New Year’s Day for additional paid time off. After one-year employees are eligible for up to twelve weeks of parental leave with the first six weeks paid, and after five years, staff are eligible for up to twelve weeks of paid sabbatical leave. Position is full-time exempt.

DEADLINE TO APPLY: OPEN UNTIL FILLED WITH PRIORITY REVIEW STARTING ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 1, 2022

Diversity and inclusion are a critical component of our business strategy, mission and vision. We welcome candidates from an array of backgrounds and experiences to join our team. Learn more about our commitment here: https://westernresourceadvocates.org/#commitment-to-diversity. 

Western Resource Advocates is an equal opportunity employer (EOE) and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion,  gender, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, or veteran status.