Contract Strategist

Responsible for the preparation, analysis and negotiation of high voltage electric transmission system contracts including administration, interpretation, application, development, research, negotiation, coordination, execution, maintenance and management of transmission contract projects and regulatory compliance thereof.  The position will include identifying, initiating, coordinating, leading, facilitating and completing transmission contract projects and initiatives, as well as presenting information to management, peers, colleagues and subject matter experts in clear, concise reporting both verbal and written.  Additional responsibilities include risk identification, analysis and management to ensure the protection of Tri-State and its member system/distribution cooperative owner interests in a highly technical business environment and in a highly professional manner. 

Tri-State recognizes the value of a highly-engaged and committed workforce and provides an excellent benefits program that includes: Medical Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Tuition Reimbursement, Flexible Work Schedules including compressed work week and telecommuting opportunities to work remotely up to 40%, Life Insurance, 401K, Long Term Disability (LTD), Short Term Disability (STD), Employee Assistant Program (EAP) and Paid Leave Benefits.

Contract Strategist

Hiring Salary Range: $109,000-$139,000

Actual compensation offer to candidate may vary outside of the posted hiring salary range based upon work experience, education, and/or skill level.

• Develop, research, analyze, negotiate, draft, coordinate and execute contracts and amendments associated with the electric transmission system, as conditions require. Work effectively through strong communication and collaboration with lines of business across the organization, electric utilities, customers, and member system/distribution cooperative owners at the executive and management level, for:

  • Transmission service 

  • Interconnection, construction, capacity entitlements, operations and maintenance

  • Agreements for ownership and financial participation of power delivery/transmission facilities among multiple parties (joint project and/or system ownership)

  • Consolidated and facilities management 

  • Power delivery points

  • Telecommunications

  • System Metering associated with power delivery points, system metering and settlements, renewable interconnections

  • Compliance

  • Generation

  • Licensing

  • Purchase and sale

• Coordinates transmission contract projects, functions and initiatives with an active role in leading and supporting transmission initiatives.

• Provide analysis of legacy agreements, ownership and party responsibilities to internal legal, technical, operational, and business partners.

• Work with internal project team members on assigned contracts with deadlines.

• Participate in or facilitate joint project meetings with outside utilities and internal multi-disciplinary teams.

• Coordinate special projects and participate in the development of policies, programs and procedures for continual improvement. 

• Adhere to and demonstrate compliance with appropriate electric utility industry regulatory requirements. 
• Must be knowledgeable of development in regulations, laws, standards and best practices applicable to the functional area including, but not limited to, Standards of Conduct, Environmental, Employment Law, NERC Reliability Standards and Safety. 
• Demonstrate behavior consistent with Tri-State’s culture embodied in the Cooperative principles and spirit and core values of technical competency, respect and dignity, accountability, integrity, trustworthiness, and servant leadership to empower or otherwise enable others to optimally perform their job responsibilities. 
• Demonstrate and promote ethics and behaviors consistent with Tri-State’s culture, Board policies, and business practices. Understand and fulfill the role and responsibility for all compliance programs within the company.
• Because Tri-State is an electric utility with continuous service obligations to its customers, regular, reliable, and predictable performance of the essential functions and responsibilities is an essential function of the job.
• Because Tri-State has an obligation to provide continuous, reliable electric service to its customers, the ability to work overtime at any time of the day or week is considered an essential function of the job.

OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Education and Training

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Economics, Contract Law, hard sciences, project management or equivalent degrees, experience, skillsets, or training.

• Master’s degree a plus.

Knowledge, Skills, and Ability:

• Ability to apply engineering theory and principles in drafting and analyzing contracts and managing contract-related projects.

• Ability to engage and communicate accurately and effectively with a high level of professionalism, both written and orally, with all levels of personnel within and outside the company.

• General knowledge of government regulations affecting electric utilities.

• General knowledge of contract law and project management (some formal training preferred).

   

Experience:

• Eight (8) years of progressive experience with an electric utility in business, contracts, regulatory compliance, technical area of the business including engineering or operations, or area related to contract drafting, project management or legal (or equivalent combination of experience and education).

Other:

• Willingness to travel as required.  (Must possess a valid driver’s license.) 
• Must be able to demonstrate that he/she can perform all of the essential functions of the position.