Job Description
Who We Are:
The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) seeks to protect, preserve, and enhance Massachusetts' environmental resources and create a clean energy future for all residents. Through the stewardship of open spaces, the protection of environmental resources, and the advancement of clean energy, EEA works tirelessly to make Massachusetts a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our commitment to environmental justice ensures that every resident, regardless of background or location, can live in a safe, clean environment and shares equally in the benefits of the clean energy transition.
Who We Are as an Employer:
At EEA, we create meaningful, inclusive opportunities that empower our employees to make a real difference in shaping the environmental future of Massachusetts. We foster a workplace culture where diversity is valued, innovation is encouraged, and collaboration thrives. Our employees play a vital role in advancing sustainability, environmental justice, and clean energy solutions, ensuring a positive and lasting impact on Massachusetts and its residents.
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The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is the state agency responsible for overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. It regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, transportation network companies, and oversees the safety of natural gas pipelines and the MBTA.
The primary purpose of the position of Assistant General Counsel is to assist the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels in managing all legal and policy matters affecting an agency of approximately 200 persons working in all Divisions of the Department: Administration, Consumer Affairs, Electric Power, Legal, Natural Gas, Pipeline Safety, Rates and Revenue Requirements, Regional and Federal Affairs, Transportation Oversight, Rail Transit Safety, Transportation Network Company, and Siting.
The Department of Public Utilities, seeks applicants for the position of Assistant General Counsel to perform the following duties:
RESPONSIBILITES INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO:
- Assist in the development and resolution of adjudications, rulemakings, and other legal proceedings related to the formulation of policy in the electric, gas, and water industries to advance the Department's priorities to ensure safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions .
- Interview and recommend for hire, assign, train, manage, direct, and evaluate work performed by staff attorneys, paralegals, and legal interns, as assigned.
- The Assistant General Counsel will supervise legal staff to ensure, on a consistent basis, the efficient management and timely completion of all assignments; production of timely and professional written work; effective communication with the Commission and stakeholders; and effective application of Department procedure, precedent, and policy.
- Review cases and make final legal and overall policy recommendations on matters decided by a three-member Commission appointed by the Governor, including adjudications, rulemakings, and general legal matters.
- Coordinate work with other internal divisions related to case-tracking procedures, docketing procedures and the content and management of the Department's website.
- Confer with the Office of the Attorney General on certain Department cases appealed to the Supreme Judicial Court and federal District Court.
- As requested or at the discretion of General Counsel or Deputy General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel performs activities outside of assigned cases and other duties that benefit the Department and/or the Legal Division and the AGC's professional development, including, but not limited to:
- Contact, meet with, or collaborate with other state and federal agencies regarding their actions and decisions on related matters before the Department
- Consult with the General Counsel, Deputy General Counsel, and outside counsel regarding Department matters under judicial appeal
- Develop, recommend, draft, and oversee adoption of amendments to statutes and regulations
- Review decisions from courts and other administrative agencies and advise the Commission and Legal Division on legal developments that may affect the Department
- Attend conferences and trainings
- Manage special projects
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Thorough knowledge of general laws relating to utilities, related state and Federal law, administrative law, constitutional law, and the Rules of Evidence and Civil Procedure.
- Ability to analyze complex legal issues and to recommend their disposition.
- Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Ability to manage legal and technical teams to work effectively together, meet deadlines and resolve complex, often novel legal, technical, and policy issues.
- Ability to manage policy initiatives that affect the manner in which citizens of the Commonwealth will be provided utility and telecommunications services.
- Ability to problem solve and think creatively.
- Knowledge of economic principles.
- Ability to handle novel and far-reaching cases that impact all citizens.
- Ability to negotiate and obtain consensus from groups with conflicting interest.
- Ability to foster a positive and collaborative environment for all DPU staff.
EXPERIENCE NECESSARY:
- All applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to a state Bar
- Experience selecting, training, and developing the skills of attorneys
- Experience managing staff of attorneys
- Experience reviewing performance and evaluating work of attorneys
- Experience with resolving complex issues that require both technical and legal knowledge
- Three to five years of experience as a practicing utility, energy or telecommunications attorney with substantial administrative law experience
The DPU will consider candidates who are not yet admitted in Massachusetts provided they are eligible for admission via the Massachusetts Bar process. Candidates must have already submitted their application for admission or be able to do so within two weeks of receiving an offer
Final employment offers will be contingent upon successful admission to the Massachusetts Bar within six months of their start date. Extensions to this timeframe can be reviewed on a case-by-case basis where delays are outside the candidate's control.
Qualifications
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 project management, 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.
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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.