Address
Form of workDUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The following represents the majority of the duties performed by the position but is not meant to be all inclusive nor prevent other duties from being assigned when necessary.
1. Complies with DOT and OSHA health, safety and environmental requirements and follows safety philosophy and procedures developed by the Company including: applicable environmental, health and safety rules, procedures, and accepted safe work practices, the use of appropriate personal protective equipment and safety systems, and the reporting of workplace hazards and injury or illness arising from workplace activities; observes the workplace to identify conditions or behaviors that should be corrected and takes appropriate action.
2. Provides advice to company management and employees on the development of legally permissible strategies to conduct company operations.
3. Evaluates right-of-way requirements, zoning restrictions, and related legal documents; negotiates with right-of-way owners new or renewed right-of-way easements, deeds, permits, and licenses, drafts related documents representing the Company's position; and resolves other aspects of right-of-way encroachment.
4. Negotiates the sale and purchase of company property and prepares documents to support the sale or purchase.
5. Drafts, reviews, and approves all types of Company contracts, including right-of-way and real estate contracts.
6. Provides legal support and guidance to outside counsel by developing legal strategy options, reviewing motions, exhibits, documents and materials, and conducting investigations and settlement conferences in the defense or prosecution of litigation involving the Company.
7. Monitors changes in legal and regulatory requirements, conducts research on regulatory requirements and other legal matters; creates memos, reports, policies, and procedures recommending specific Company positions or operational guidelines.
8. Responds to and creates Company policies and procedures for responding to regulatory audits, notices, and orders, and monitors related transactions to ensure Company compliance.
9. Negotiates and administers right-of-way rental payments. Maintains right-of-way files and records.
10. Supports operations and engineering projects, identifies legal solutions to operations and engineering matters and meets corporate objectives through legal approaches.
11. Prosecutes claims for the Company, negotiates the settlement of claims against the Company, and prepares supporting legal documents and records.
12. Coordinates post-accident investigative activities and emergency claims handling procedures for significant internal, environmental, or third-party events.
13. Files legal documents with the courts or other regulatory agencies.
14. Represents the Company before governmental agencies and at industry meetings, drafts laws, regulations and industry standards for their consideration and adoption.
15. Provides technical legal guidance and training to other personnel on law, strategy, and technical writing.
16. Drafts and reviews Company policies and procedures to ensure compliance with laws and corporate objectives and assists with communicating Company policy and position on legal issues.
17. Leads and/or assists with special projects as requested by the Vice President, General Counsel & Corporate Secretary, and performs other duties as required.
REQUIREMENTS
Education and Experience
· A Bachelor’s degree, a law degree such as a Juris Doctorate degree and a license allowing the incumbent to practice law in Oklahoma as well as a minimum of seven years of prior legal experience is required. Specialized experience in energy, corporate, real estate, and environmental law is preferred.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Ability to actively engage in safe behavior and understand and follow the principles and methods related to pipeline and workplace safety as established by the Company.
· Knowledge of emergency and safety procedures, policies procedures, equipment operating parameters, and all applicable DOT, EPA, FERC, DHS and OSHA requirements.
· Ability to utilize computer hardware and word processing and GIS legal software to research, manage, record, and evaluate Company information.
· Ability to work independently and provide continuous improvement to processes, procedures, and workplace environment.
· Well-developed verbal communication skills are needed to represent the Company before government agencies, industry groups, and landowners. Also required during negotiations with landowners, claimants, and other external parties.
· Well-developed written communication skills are required to draft contracts, and to create policies, procedures, reports, presentations, and a variety of complex legal documents accurately representing the Company's position.
· Effective interpersonal skills are required in representing the Company to governmental agencies and other external parties.
· Frequent internal contacts are required with the leadership team, engineering staff, area supervisors, business development, and the accounting staff to provide legal advice and to gather information to support the Company's position.
· Frequent external contacts are required with outside counsel in support of company litigation, landowners in negotiation of claims or right-of-way, professional service firms in representing the Company's legal position on various issues, and governmental agencies or regulatory bodies in proposing regulations or legislation, and media or public relations firms in representing the Company's position following environmental or other third-party events.
· Well-developed business and financial acumen, and an ability to provide practical and balanced legal advice.
· Ability to effectively work and cooperate with supervisors, co-workers, and vendors.
· Ability to follow corporate policies and the directions of supervisors.
· Ability to refrain from causing or contributing to disruption in the workplace.
CORE COMPETENCIES
Ethics and Integrity
· Is committed to high moral standards and business ethics.
· Shows respect for others and their differences and works to promote fairness and equity.
· Fosters a sense of belonging by engaging the talent, experience, and capabilities of others and working to understand varying perspectives.
Initiative
· Seeks needed information on his/her own to solve problems and persists in the face of obstacles.
Teamwork and Interpersonal Skills
· Resolves differences in opinion by seeking mutually acceptable solutions to problems, using diplomacy and tact.
· Values the importance of others’ contributions to group accomplishments.
Effective Communication
· Considers the best method and gets messages across effectively.
Customer Focus
· Integrates customer service concepts into own job by identifying internal and external customers and their needs.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· The position requires minimal physical exertion during the performance of the majority of the duties. Most work is performed while standing or sitting.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· The duties of this position are primarily performed in a climate-controlled office environment. Occasional trips to the field are required which expose the position to external weather and in cases of environmental incidents possible contact with chemicals.
