Associate Counsel

MINNKOTA POWER COOPERATIVE

Associate Counsel

Minnkota Power Cooperative is seeking applicants for the position of Associate Counsel in our Legal Department at our headquarters in Grand Forks, North Dakota.

The Associate Counsel role provides general cooperative legal support for Minnkota Power, its subsidiary entities, as well as to ten electric distribution member systems. Essential functions include providing legal services in assigned areas of cooperative operation including litigation, regulatory interaction, general cooperative governance, labor and employment matters, real property, financing, procurement, the development and review of contracts, and any necessary legal matters identified by the member-owner electric distribution cooperatives on a holistic level. Associate Counsel will also provide legal assistance to Minnkota employees on their respective areas of responsibility.

The pay range for this position begins at $119,579 per year. Appropriate compensation will be determined based on a candidate's skills, education, and any previous relevant experience. 

Essential Responsibilities

• Provides general cooperative legal support

• Give legal opinions, lead/participate in negotiations for the recovery of damages, ensure the following of applicable regulations, represent Minnkota in hearings/in court, and draft documents to be filed in legal actions and regulatory matters

• Oversees and provides real estate support
  • Drafts and reviews agreements for purchase or sale of real estate, develops and reviews property rental agreements and real estate solutions, and assists the Right of Way department in real estate acquisitions

• Develops and reviews contracts
  • Reviews contracts for other Minnkota departments prior to signature, develops and modifies standard contracts and contracts for special requirements, and reviews/interprets/develops amendments to existing contracts and agreements

• Offers legal counsel support to Minnkota staff
  • Offers legal interpretation and guidance to Minnkota staff on their subject matter, provides legal coverage for projects within Minnkota, stays abreast on applicable laws and regulations that affect the cooperative, and represents Minnkota in hearings with regulatory agencies

• Provides legal services to Minnkota wholly-owned subsidiaries
  • Offers legal interpretation and guidance to Minnkota staff on their subject matter, provides legal coverage for projects within Minnkota’s subsidiaries, stays abreast on applicable laws and regulations that affect the cooperative, and represents Minnkota in hearings with regulatory agencies

• Provides legal services to member system clients
  • Provides general legal services to Minnkota's distributions cooperative clients which includes: legal interpretation and guidance to distribution cooperative staff, attendance and counsel at cooperative board, committee, and annual meetings. Also may provide legal support including opinions for financing and special projects and representation of clients in arbitrations and court as necessary

Organizational Competencies

• Safety
• Integrity
• Teamwork
• Innovation
• Reliability

Job Competencies

• Action Oriented
• Conflict Management
• Learning on the Fly
• Problem Solving
• Strategic Agility
• Written Communications

Goals and Objectives

An employee filling this role is expected to meet changing and unique goals and objectives, as established by their direct supervisor, related to the broader area in which the employee is assigned.

Job Qualification Standards

Education and Training

• Doctorate degree or better in Law required.

• Admission to state bar of North Dakota and Minnesota is required.  

• Must maintain a valid driver’s license.

Experience

• Five (5) years of experience or equivalent as demonstrated through work experience, training, military experience, or education

Physical and Mental Demands

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical demands:  While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent is primarily required to sit, stand, walk, stoop, bend and frequently utilize a keyboard/computer. Specific vision abilities include close vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and the ability to adjust focus.

Mental demands: While performing the duties of this position, the incumbent will be required to problem solve, read, write and analyze data, work under schedules and deadline pressure, present information to others, work independently and use discretion and judgment for confidential or sensitive projects/issues.

Work Environment: While performing the duties of this position, the employee is exposed to an office environment indoors, and will travel outdoors to multiple locations dependent on work.

Benefits 

Minnkota Power Cooperative supports employees through a strong total compensation package that includes a competitive pay and benefits package, along with career growth opportunities. The cooperative offers: 

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Pension plan
• Life insurance and AD&D
• Disability insurance
• Paid leave: Holidays and floating holidays, Vacation, Sick leave
• Employee Assistance Program
• Flexible Spending Accounts for dependent care
• Educational assistance
• Membership in select professional organizations

Salary : $119,579