Senior Counsel

Calpine Corporation is America’s largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources with operations in competitive power markets. Our fleet of 79 energy facilities in operation represents over 27,000 megawatts of generation capacity. Through wholesale power operations and our retail businesses, we serve customers in 22 states and Canada. Our clean, efficient, modern and flexible fleet uses advanced technologies to generate power in a low-carbon and environmentally responsible manner. We are uniquely positioned to benefit from the secular trends affecting our industry, including the abundant and affordable supply of clean natural gas, environmental regulation, aging power generation infrastructure and the increasing need for dispatchable power plants to successfully integrate intermittent renewables into the grid. Energy Trading / Commercial Transactions – Senior Counsel Unique opportunity to join a diverse, fast-paced and challenging in-house legal department and serve as primary energy commodities trading counsel for Calpine’s dynamic electricity and natural gas trading and origination business. This role will be responsible for providing a full scope of legal services associated with energy commodities trading and structured transactions, with particular emphasis on electricity, capacity and natural gas, and the associated regulatory compliance, in the competitive power markets in the U.S. Broad complex electric energy industry experience required, with expertise in counseling clients regarding electricity and natural gas trading and commercial transactions across commodities exchanges, such as ICE and NYMEX, and across RTO and ISO markets, including ERCOT, CAISO, PJM, and ISO-NE. This role will include supporting all aspects of the trading and commercial origination organization including: negotiating, drafting and executing a wide range of commercial agreements including power purchase agreements, EEIs, NAESBs, ISDAs, gas transport agreements, emissions trading agreements, and other commercial agreements, support and counseling regarding RTO and ISO compliance, including regarding capacity auctions, ancillary services, day-ahead and real time markets support and counseling regarding regulatory compliance, including with matters governed by FERC, CFTC, and applicable public utility commissions support the management of internal policies and procedures to ensure continuing alignment and compliance with regulatory standards and requirements Required to have or develop familiarity, but not primary responsibility, with regulatory compliance investigations associated with electricity and natural gas commodities Manage outside counsel to maximize benefit and minimize costs. May be requested to provide miscellaneous legal support to some or all Calpine Corporation departments, including but not limited to: Government and Regulatory, Tax, Accounting Excellent opportunity to be part of the sophisticated, creative and entrepreneurial team supporting the largest generator of electricity from natural gas and geothermal resources, with a power plant fleet that is among the cleanest in the nation.  Responsible for providing legal advice, regulatory support and strategic expertise to assigned Calpine business lines and provides legal support in a variety of business negotiations and contractual agreements. Handles a variety of legal projects and major legal actions; anticipates and guards against legal risks through a combination of directly representing Calpine in contract negotiations, navigating complex regulatory compliance requirements, and through the management of outside counsel. Interprets and prepares legal documents/contracts, analyzes proposed and existing legislation and advises management on legal matters. Understands and applies law, regulation and administrative procedures associated with specialty areas of law and requires minimal professional guidance. Job Scope & Technical Excellence In-depth, solid knowledge of commodities products, trading and regulatory requirements. Skilled professional with wide-ranging, experience to resolve complex issues. Applies advanced skills contributing to knowledge areas within function, but not yet an expert in all. Decision Making & Innovation Makes decisions on complex issues regarding project components and advanced tasks. Leads the research for innovations from external sources, and identifies opportunities to develop new processes, procedures and services within functional area. Work Complexity & Independent Judgement Works on complex issues and projects. Uses independent judgment requiring in-depth analysis of variable factors. Collaborates with senior levels in selection of methods, techniques, and analytical approach and evaluation criteria. Self-Management & Leadership Determines methods and procedures for new assignments. Seeks out the job to be done and executes with minimal supervision. Communication & Influence Resource integrator –builds internal professional networks and identifies and connects resources to achieve goals. Regularly contributes actionable ideas in brainstorming and planning sessions. Education & Experience JD from an ABA accredited law school Seasoned professional; typically requires 8+ years’ experience. On-Site in Houston, TX Additional Calpine Information Equal Opportunity Employer of Minorities, Females, Protected Veterans, and Individuals with Disabilities.