Career Center

Purpose of Position

Oversees and manages the provision of all legal services to the cooperative to ensure maximum protection of its legal rights and to maintain its operations within the limits prescribed by law. Provides strategic guidance, consultation, and support to senior staff and other members of management on issues involved in carrying out the mission of the cooperative.

Core Competencies

1.       Quality Work:  Produce thorough, high quality work with minimal errors.  Seek feedback, make corrections as needed.  Identify problems and solve them.  Strive to improve processes.  Work collaboratively with co-workers to implement systematic changes.

2.       Productivity:  Complete assigned work in a timely fashion.  Utilize slow periods productively.  Produce amount and volume at expected speed.

3.       Technical Skills/Job Knowledge:  Demonstrate appropriate level of understanding of technical skills in area of expertise, technology, products, and/or processes involved.  Duly perform assigned duties.  Keep current on changes and be competent with all technology necessary to perform job.

4.       Communication: Clearly convey oral and written communication.  Keep others informed of activities and problems in timely manner.  Listen well; respond appropriately and respectfully.

5.       Teamwork/Ability to Work with Others: Demonstrate ability to work in a positive manner with co-workers and/or members with differing backgrounds, opinions, capabilities, etc.  Willingly share skills, competencies, and knowledge with others.  Establish and maintain strong, effective working relationships.  Contribute effectively to group efforts.  Promote harmony; agree to disagree without damaging relationships.

6.       Accountability:  Maintain excellent attendance and provide additional assistance after normal working hours when needed.  Be reliable, prepared and accept responsibility for work and actions.

7.       Integrity:  Demonstrate honesty, high ethical standards, and respect for all co-workers and membership.

8.       Professionalism:  Address internal and external members with courtesy and respect.  Dress in work attire appropriate to the position.  Communicate business information in a timely fashion, using means of communication appropriate to the situation.

9.       Support of Cooperative Goals:  Support Cooperative goals and adhere to all policies and procedures.  Contribute effectively in support of the Cooperative.

10.   Problem-Solving:  Use sound logic and methodology to solve problems.  Explore multiple sources for answers, as required.  Be able to identify hidden problems and propose solutions.

Manager Core Competencies

1.       Drive Results:  Make appropriate decisions and act.  Take risks and encourage others to take risks.  Support others’ decisions.  Exercise sound judgment.  Motivate team members to high levels of performance.

2.       Set Example:  Be looked to by others as role model.  Mirror Inland values, goals, policies, and work requirements by example.  Be visible, with a positive presence. 

3.       Provide Vision and Direction:  Inspire a shared vision.  Set direction that translates the Cooperative vision into actionable plans.  Create enthusiasm about the Cooperative’s future.

4.       Effectively Manage Resources:  Use resources effectively and efficiently to accomplish Cooperative goals.  Establish reasonable budgets and manage expenses within constraints.  Act as change agent to pursue innovative ways to do things better.

5.       Develop Self and Others:  Demonstrate personal growth and learning.  Encourage continuous growth and learning in others.  Acknowledge and learn from mistakes.  Set clear performance expectations in advance.  Share timely and direct performance feedback.

6.       Value People:  Show respect for others and their ideas.  Encourage others’ involvement in making things better.  Allow flexibility in how work is accomplished.  Consider others’ needs when making decisions.

Job Responsibilities

1.       Provides legal counsel and guidance to the officers of the cooperative and management on all legal matters relevant to an electric utility cooperative, including labor and employment law, corporate governance, laws pertaining to real estate transactions, contracts and grants, tax matters, worker's compensation, liability and insurance matters, and other laws and regulations applicable to an electric utility cooperative.

2.       Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels officers and management to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk or significance, and with limited time for assessing alternatives.

3.       Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues.

4.       Drafts, reviews, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, grants, and other legal documents.

5.       Reviews contracts, leases, and other legal documents; research legal issues and recommend revisions as necessary.

6.       Represents or oversees the representation of the cooperative and upper management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with other state agencies.

7.       Develops and manages annual budgets for the organization and performs periodic cost and productivity analyses.

8.       Partners with outside counsel, as required, to obtain legal opinions or to handle claims and litigation.

9.       Provides training to staff on various legal issues through seminars and meetings.

10.   Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in college and university law and in other related areas.

11.   Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.

12.   Specific areas of responsibility include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Liaison With Outside Legal Counsel
• Strategic Planning
• Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining
• Legal Compliance and Oversite
• Bylaw and Policy Review and Updating
• Contract Drafting and Review
• Claims Processing
• Soliciting Grants and Completing Applications 

13.   Performs duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications & Job Requirements

1.       Education/Experience:

      a.  A J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school.

      b.  Member of WA State Bar.

      c.   5+ years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified above. Leadership experience desirable, preferably in the electric utility industry.

2.       Knowledge and Skills:

       a.  Excellent interpersonal skills, including oral and written communication, oral presentations, the ability to build strong working relationships, and the ability to interact positively with employees at all levels within the organization, Inland Board, and as required, Inland members.

      b.  Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel on a wide range of legal and policy issues.

      c.   Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions.

      d.  Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise

      e.   Negotiating skills including aspects of collective bargaining principles.

      f.    Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment within which they operate.

     g.   Knowledge of contract law.

     h.  Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques.

     i.    Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures.

      j.    Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.

      k.   Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.

      l.    Knowledge of community legal resources.

    m.    Knowledge of legislative issues pertinent to the cooperative.

     n.    Sound understanding of Cooperative policies and procedures.

     o.    In-depth knowledge of state and federal laws relevant to an electric utility cooperative including labor and employment laws.

     p.   Strong communication, problem-solving, organizational and consulting skills.

     q.     Fosters a professional image by personally being visible, a positive role model and displaying a positive attitude that inspires others.

     r.    Labor relations experience preferred.

3.       Mental Demands/Working Conditions:

      a.   Ability to work independently with minimal guidance and supervision.

      b.   Ability to manage diverse work functions while balancing and adjusting priorities in accordance with changing requirements.

      c.    Ability to respond quickly and effectively to a rapidly changing work environment.

     d.    Ability to understand personal and departmental role in the bigger organization picture, and to respond as an effective team member.

      e.    Ability to work under pressure.

BENEFITS

Medical, vision, dental, 401(k), HSA, retirement plan, PTO, paid holidays and disability insurance programs.

APPLICATION PROCESS

If your credentials and interest match this job, please send your completed application, cover letter and resume to: hr@inlandpower.com or mail them to, Inland Power & Light Company, 10110 W. Hallett Rd., Spokane WA 99224-7435, Attn: Human Resources.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT

Inland Power and Light is committed to equal employment opportunity for all. Just as our commitment to quality motivates us to go the extra mile, we cooperate with the civil rights agencies in government in an effort to ensure equal opportunity in employment through an Affirmative Action Plan. To assure full implementation of this equal employment policy, we will take steps to assure that persons are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age, disability or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination law.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION

Inland Power will make reasonable accommodation to assist a qualified person with a disability in the job application, interview process and to perform the essential functions of the job whenever possible. Please contact the HR department at Inland Power if you would like assistance.

About Inland Power & Light

About Inland Power & Light Inland Power and Light is a nonprofit electric cooperative providing affordable, safe and reliable electricity to over 40,000 member-owners in 13 counties throughout eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Founded in 1937, Inland Power is the largest electric cooperative in Washington. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COMMITMENT Inland Power and Light is committed to equal employment opportunity for all. Just as our commitment to quality motivates us to go the extra mile, we cooperate with the civil rights agencies in government in an effort to ensure equal opportunity in employment through an Affirmative Action Plan. To assure full implementation of this equal employment policy, we will take steps to assure that persons are recruited, hired, assigned and promoted without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran’s status, age, disability or any other classification protected by nondiscrimination law.

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