General Counsel

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Department of Energy Resources
Job Description\: General Counsel – Program Manager Specialist VIII

About DOER
The mission of the Department of Energy Resources (“DOER” or “Department”) is to create a clean, affordable, equitable, and resilient energy future for all residents, including low-income and Environmental Justice populations, businesses, communities, and institutions in the Commonwealth. To meet this objective, DOER develops and implements policies and programs to ensure the adequacy, security, diversity, and cost-effectiveness of the Commonwealth's energy supply. DOER is committed to working to develop, implement, and promote energy programs and policies to ensure environmental justice and access to clean energy for all the Commonwealth's citizens, communities, businesses, and institutions.

The Department of Energy Resources seeks applicants for the position of General Counsel, Program Manager Specialist VIII.

Job Description
DOER’s General Counsel (“GC”) serves as the Department’s chief legal advisor, providing the DOER Commissioner and staff the legal and strategic counsel necessary to ensure that the Department effectively executes its programs and priorities. The General Counsel works closely with the Deputy Commissioner, Chief of Staff, Chief Financial Officer, and the Division Directors on all projects to ensure that they operate in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

The GC manages DOER’s Legal Division, which is responsible for all legal and regulatory issues at DOER. The GC will serve as the team leader, managing the Legal Division in the disposition of its workflow. Among other responsibilities, the GC oversees promulgation of Department regulations, in compliance with Chapter 30A; drafting and review of legislation; all regulatory matters the Department pursues before the Department of Public Utilities (“DPU”); litigation matters involving the Department, in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General (“AGO”); procurement matters, including the Section 83C offshore wind procurement process, programmatic procurement documents involving Program Opportunity Notices (“PONs”), Requests for Proposals (“RFPs”), Requests for Quotes (“RFQs”), and resulting contracts; compliance and legal issues relating to federal funding; compliance with state public records, open meeting, ethics, and other laws; personnel issues; lawful Department operation of and participation in grantmaking and other programs, including the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”); and other legal agreements and compliance obligations. Additionally, the GC serves as a conduit and coordinator between DOER, the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (“EEA”), and the Office of the Governor in relation to Department legal and regulatory issues.

Responsibilities:

·Hire, assign, manage, direct, and evaluate work performed by all Legal Division staff

·Manage workflow of DOER Legal Team, drive effective project management to ensure deliverables are completed and deadlines are met

·Manage legal review process, including coordination with EEA, of draft documents, filings, procurement documents, draft regulations, and contracts

·Serve as a legal resource or cause other attorneys to serve as a legal resource to non-legal staff, as well as legal staff

·Support policy initiatives and programs at DOER

·Serve as the primary liaison with EEA Legal

·Attend meetings with internal and external stakeholders

·Support administrative matters such as reports, internal updates, and other routine matters

·Manage personnel matters affecting all members of the Legal Division

·Ensure legal compliance

·Create weekly report for Chief of Staff and EEA Legal

·Other duties as assigned

Required Qualification:

Membership in the Massachusetts Bar

Preferred Qualifications:

·     At least six years of experience as a practicing utility, energy, or litigation attorney with substantial administrative law experience

·     Ability to analyze complex legal issues and make appropriate recommendations;

·     Experience supervising staff and managing a team

·     Demonstrated project management experience

·     Strong interpersonal skills, ability to communicate effectively and persuasively both orally and in writing

·     Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and collaborate with colleagues to accomplish work objectives

·     Strong history of creative problem-solving skills

·     Working knowledge of clean energy policy and familiarity with Massachusetts’ energy priorities

·     Experience in the drafting and interpretation of regulations and statutes; conducting and managing litigation; and in public procurement law

·     Thorough knowledge of Massachusetts general laws relating to DOER and energy generally, related state and Federal law, administrative law, and constitutional law

·     Knowledge of economic policy and markets

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached “as relevant” to the requisition.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.