Legal Counsel

Worker Type: Employee

Group: Regulatory, Environment and Health & Safety Legal Department

Job Post End Date: 09/25/2024

About this opportunity:
Cenovus is seeking a dynamic lawyer to join our Legal Department as Legal Counsel. As a key member of our team and reporting to the Senior Manager & Associate General Counsel, Regulatory, Environment and Health & Safety. You will play a critical role working alongside a group of legal professionals on legal issues involving oil and gas legal matters relating to Canadian regulatory, environmental, health and safety law issues. This is an exciting opportunity to be part of a leading energy company at the forefront of innovation and environmental stewardship.

What you’ll do:
Regulatory Compliance:
- Advise and ensure compliance with federal, provincial, and local regulatory requirements related to environmental protection, health and safety, and energy production- Conduct comprehensive regulatory assessments, identify potential risks, and develop strategies to mitigate those risks- Stay abreast of changes in laws, regulations, and industry standards to maintain compliance across the organization Environmental Law:
- Provide legal counsel on environmental impact assessments, pollution control, waste management, and remediation- Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to develop and implement environmental policies, procedures, and standard methodologies- Handle legal matters pertaining to land reclamation, water use, air quality, and wildlife conservation- Support environmental initiatives and sustainability goals within the company

Health and Safety Law:
- Advise on health and safety regulations concerning workplace practices, occupational safety, and worker protection- Assist in the development and implementation of safety policies, procedures, and training programs- Conduct internal audits and investigations to identify potential hazards and non-compliance issues- Provide legal support during inspections, inquiries, and incident investigations- Collaborate with internal teams to assess and lead risk related to health and safety matters

Permitting and Licensing:
- Review and analyze permits, licenses, and approvals required for energy production operations- Assist in the drafting, negotiation, and review of agreements with regulatory agencies and stakeholders- Support in ensuring compliance with permit conditions, reporting obligations, and license renewals

Regulatory Dispute Resolution:
- Assist senior legal counsel in managing regulatory disputes, enforcement actions and quasi-judicial regulatory matters- Collaborate with external counsel, experts, and consultants on regulatory strategies, including alternative dispute resolution methods

Risk Management and Policy Development:
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to assess, mitigate, and lead legal and regulatory risks- Participate in the development and implementation of corporate policies, guidelines, and procedures related to regulatory, environmental, and health and safety matters- Provide legal advice on risk assessment, crisis management, and incident response protocols- Participate as an on-call legal representative on the Cenovus Incident Support Team on a rotational basis

Stakeholder Engagement:
- Engage with regulatory agencies, government bodies, industry associations, and community partners- Collaborate with internal teams in public consultations and community engagement initiatives- Assist in maintaining positive stakeholder relationships by addressing legal concerns and promoting transparency

Training and Education:
- Conduct training sessions and workshops for employees on regulatory compliance, environmental responsibilities, and health and safety practices- Develop educational materials and resources to enhance awareness and understanding of legal obligations

Who you are- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada- Bachelor of Law (LLB) or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school and active membership in the Law Society of Alberta- 4 to 6 years of relevant legal experience, with a strong focus on oil and gas matters involving regulatory, environmental, and health and safety issues gained either in-house or at a national law firm- Knowledge of Aboriginal law would be considered an asset

We acknowledge the value of transferrable skills and may consider equivalent combinations of experience and education should you not meet a specific requirement.


Who we are:
We’re an integrated energy company headquartered in Calgary with oil and natural gas production operations in Canada and the Asia Pacific region, and upgrading, refining and marketing operations in Canada and the United States. We’re committed to maximizing value by developing our assets in a safe, responsible and cost-efficient manner, integrating environmental, social and governance considerations into our business plans.

We've been named a Top Alberta Employer for 2024, a designatio