Job Details

About Us

NW Natural offers rewarding career opportunities and a vibrant, inclusive work culture. We provide safe and reliable utility services and renewable energy to the communities we serve. Our vision is to be the leader in service excellence, innovation and environmental stewardship for our customers, while building on our strengths as a trusted energy provider and environmental leader for our industry. We are committed to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI). Our DEI Council started 21 years ago, and we foster a culture where all employees can experience belonging, shared purpose and possibility.

The Role

We are seeking a Regulatory Litigation Counsel (Level 2 or 3) to support NW Natural's regulated natural gas and water utility businesses. This role requires direct responsibility for managing and preparing filings, including rate cases, before the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC), Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC), and other jurisdictions. The successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally and undertake the full lifecycle of complex regulatory litigation, including drafting testimony, briefs, and discovery responses, presenting oral argument, and positioning cases for appeal.

Day to Day

• Lead and manage rate cases and other regulatory proceedings before the OPUC, WUTC, and other jurisdictions, including drafting applications, testimony, discovery responses, and legal briefs.
• Represent the company in hearings and settlement discussions, including making oral arguments and cross-examining witnesses.
• Collaborate with the Regulatory Department and internal subject matter experts to develop strategy, build evidentiary records, and ensure procedural compliance.
• Advise senior leadership on legal and strategic implications of regulatory initiatives and policy developments.
• Monitor and interpret changes in applicable laws, commission orders, and administrative rules affecting NW Natural's gas and water utilities.
• Support development of compliance strategies and participate in stakeholder processes or legislative drafting related to utility and other areas of regulation.
• Independently manage multiple dockets and deadlines with minimal reliance on outside counsel.
• Support NW Natural's commitment to safe work practices.

Came on your first day with

• J.D. degree and attorney license in good standing in Oregon and Washington (preferred).
• Excellent writing and written communication skills.
• Experience with appellate litigation, complex civil litigation, and/or administrative law; experience with utility regulation is a plus (higher degree of experience required for Level 3).
• Experience practicing before state public utility commissions or state and/or federal courts of appeal.
• Demonstrated ability to lead or independently support complex litigation or regulatory proceedings such as general rate cases, deferred accounting petitions, or integrated resource plans.
• Oral advocacy skills.
• Superb negotiation, communication, and project management skills.
• Ability to advise senior management and collaborate across teams.
• Excellent organizational skills and project management capabilities.
• High proficiency in legal research tools and standard office software.

What we offer

• Health & Wellness — Rich health insurance benefits with competitive employer contribution; free access to an online wellness resources platform.

• Work Life Balance — Up to 23 Vacation Days; 80 Hours of Sick Time; 10 paid holidays and 3 floating holidays; flexible work arrangements; 3 weeks paid parental leave; Employee Resource Groups; exercise facility and bike room.

• Financial — Meaningful annual incentive bonus opportunity in addition to base salary; competitive 401K company contribution and match; 15% discount on NW Natural stock through Employee Stock Purchase Program; up to $5250 a year in tuition reimbursement; wellness incentive program.

• Discounts — 20% off natural gas service; up to 30% discount at NW Natural Appliance Center; TriMet Pass for HQ employees; generous discounts with Verizon & AT&T Wireless.

Base salary range: $120,450.00 – $171,650.00 (Level 2) or $148,100.00 – $219,050.00 (Level 3) per year, depending on qualifications. Annual Target Incentive: Level 2, 12.0% target; Level 3, 15.0% target. Targets are calculated using eligible earnings during plan year participation and may range from 0% — 200% of target. Targets are subject to change in subsequent plan years. Must be employed by September 30 in order to receive any prorated payout.

Application Process

To be considered for this position, submit a complete electronic application including cover letter and resume via our website. Deadline: 9/16/25.

Disclosure: We are a drug free workplace and comply with Federal Drug Free Workplace Act and Department of Transportation regulations. All applications must be submitted through NW Natural's Electronic Application System. Resumes submitted via email, fax or mail will not be accepted in lieu of an electronic application.

NW Natural is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and embrace our candidates' diversity and take affirmative action to employ and advance individuals without discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, pregnancy (including childbirth or related medical conditions), national origin, marital status, genetic information, and all other legally protected characteristics. We forbid discrimination and harassment in the workplace based on any protected status or characteristic. A criminal history is not an automatic bar to employment. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities, individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation, please contact ...@nwnatural.com or (971) ###-####.

NW Natural does not accept unsolicited submissions or assistance from search firms for posted positions. Resumes submitted by search firms under a valid contract will be the property of NW Natural. No fee will be paid if the candidate is hired by NW Natural as a result of the referral or through other means.

NW Natural