General Counsel

Overview

Position Purpose:

Oversees the high-level professional and supervisory work involved in advising the Executive Director on legal matters and managing all activities of the legal department; represents the Commission in litigation and administrative matters.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions:

(The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.)

• Advises the Executive Director and the Board of Commissioners on legal issues.
• Manages the Law Division.
• Provides for the representation of the Commission, its members, officers and employees in litigation and in administrative matters through the use of house counsel or outside counsel.
• Approves all contracts, leases, easements and official documents to form.
• Negotiates all contracts and other agreements with third parties on behalf of the Commission.
• Implements policies for improvements of service and maximum efficiencies.
• Makes final decisions regarding the direction or solutions to issues and projects and communicates plans with supervisors.
• Oversees compliance with the Consent Decree (Commission wide) and represents the Commission in environmental compliance matters against outside parties, EPA, and DOJ.
• Manage ongoing programs related to the Consent Decree, Lead and Copper Rule, and any other water, sewer or stormwater programs related to compliance, in conjunction with other Commission Departments.
• Attends public meetings, presents testimony or other projects.
• Communicates with internal parties (employees, management, directors, etc.) and with external parties (outside counsel, adverse parties, customers, claimants and general public).
• Represents the Commission in litigation (various courts and administrative proceedings).
• Coordinates work activities with other Commission departments or outside agencies to prevent delays in actions required to improve services to the public.
• Ensures adherence to collective bargaining agreements and other Commission policies and initiates staff actions such as promotions, transfers, discharges and disciplinary measures. Evaluates staff performance and recommends training where required.
• Maintains involvement in the resolution of all grievances.
• Interviews job applicants from eligibility lists and prepares individual recommendations. Performs similar or related work as required, directed or as situation dictates.

Qualifications

Recommended Minimum Qualifications:

Education Training and Experience:

Juris Doctor J.D. degree from an accredited law school required. Admission to the Massachusetts Bar of Twenty-five (25) years standing; at least Fifteen (15) years of which were in a supervisory capacity, preferably in the public sector, working with local, state and federal government. Required civil and federal litigation experience. Must have experience in the municipal and utility service sector, water, wastewater and/or construction industry, with five (5) years' experience in the public sector, working with local government preferred; Experience with the management of large contractual annual budgetary priorities; Experience with internal and external communication working with marketing strategies governing construction projects. Must be a licensed attorney in Massachusetts and a member in good standing of the State Bar Association. Additional admission to the Federal US District of Massachusetts, 1st Circuit Court of Appeals is helpful. Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

Knowledge: Advanced working knowledge of municipal law, environmental law, real property, torts, intergovernmental relations, public employment, and litigation; knowledge of legal procedures and departmental policies and procedures; knowledge of supervising supervisors; working knowledge of litigation procedures; knowledge of collective bargaining agreements and other Commission employment policies.

Ability: Think tactically and analytically; communicate effectively and tactfully with staff and the public; analyze laws; compose correspondence; prioritize and complete multiple tasks at one time with frequent interruptions; operate a computer with intermediate MS Office skills; manage staff; create spreadsheets and maintain records; use telephone system.

Skill: Superior management skills; excellent communications skills; problem solving skills; project management skills; Strong interpersonal and organizational skills; excellent verbal and written communication skills; proficient skills in the use of computer applications; excellent interpersonal skills resulting in collaborative conflict resolutions.

Physical Requirements:

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.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to work in the field and is regularly required to convey information to employees and the public. This position is regularly required to sit, talk, hear, use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls, and reach with hands and arms as in picking up paper, files, and other common office objects and meter reading equipment. Employee may occasionally lift and/or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds. Vision and hearing at or correctable to normal ranges.

Supervision:

Supervision Scope: Performs various duties of a routine to complex nature following acceptable standards of quality and performance; requires independent judgment in determining methods of completion and carrying out assignments. Supervision Received: Works under the general direction of the Executive Director and in accordance with applicable Massachusetts General Laws, city policies and relevant state, federal, and local regulations and standards. Follows established work plan and completes work in accordance with established departmental policies and standards; issues are referred to supervisor.

Supervision Given: Legal Department Staff.

Job Environment:

• Work is performed under typical office conditions; work environment is moderately noisy.
• Operates computer, calculator, copier, facsimile machine, and other standard office equipment.
• Contacts are by phone, through correspondence, and in person; they generally consist of an information exchange dialogue, discussing routine and semi-complex issues.
• Has access to confidential information including personnel records, which requires discretion and professional office protocols.
• Errors could result in delay of department services and have legal and/or financial repercussions.

Affirmative Action/Equal Oppurtunity Employer