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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Description:
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) is the state agency responsible for ensuring clean air, land, and water. Our work impacts every aspect of people's lives and is critical to the health and wellbeing of our residents and visitors. MassDEP is the lead agency for safe management of toxics and hazardous materials, promotion of waste reduction and recycling, preservation of the state's wetlands and coastal resources, air quality monitoring and pollution reduction, and so much more.
This is an entry level, hybrid professional position in the Office of General Counsel (OGC) reporting to the Chief Bureau Counsel for Fiscal and Contracts. The incumbent would provide legal advice and services in support of the Department's federally-funded Emerging Contaminants in Small or Disadvantaged Communities ("EC-SDC") grant program, with a focus on fiscal, contract, and compliance matters, as well as other duties, as assigned.
Major duties of the position include:
- Interpretation of legislation, rules, regulations, judicial decisions and opinions. including, but not limited to state and federal law, and environmental justice laws and policies, including drafting of legal analysis memoranda, education of staff on applicable laws, rules, and policies, and providing legal advice to agency staff when resolving problems and to ensure agency compliance with laws.
- Drafting and analysis of legislation, regulations and policies to assist the EC-SDC grant program in the implementation or improvement of program or related Department operations, based on legal research and agency needs.
- Providing legal advice on administrative law matters, including public notice and comment procedures for agency rule-makings, permit proceedings and other processes.
- Providing legal advice to support EC-SDC grant award decisions, the negotiation and issuance of contracts, and compliance matters, under state and federal law, when applicable.
- Drafting and reviewing contracts to ensure compliance with public procurement and other applicable laws.
- When drafting legal documents (e.g. memos, decisions, contracts, deeds, pleadings, regulations, opinions, comments) ensure clear communication of information and ensuring that such documents are complete, accurate, available for future review and in compliance with law.
- As necessary, advocating at internal or external meetings, on behalf of the agency to ensure the consistent application of laws and to represent the interests of the agency; develop legal strategy and effectively, efficiently manage the flow of matters and issue recommendations for final decision or resolution of matters, and for some matters, to issue or agree to final resolution without further review.
- Communicating with representatives of other agencies and collaborating with cross-functional or cross-agency teams and stakeholders to share information, resolve issues and develop or implement new programs.
- Providing information to the public by answering inquiries regarding agency functions, services, rules, and procedures to accurately represent the agency; and
- Prioritizing and managing assigned work and projects, as well as the assigned work and projects of direct reports, if applicable.
Preferred skills at the time of hire:
- Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of law.
- Knowledge of the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
- Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the law, rules and regulations governing agency operations.
- Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment.
- Knowledge of procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
- Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people.
- Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to clearly and concisely express thoughts and develop ideas in a logical manner.
- Ability to use a computer to conduct research, manage databases, and produce written documents.
- Basic understanding of computer operations and ability to use common software programs including Microsoft Office is expected, but additional training can be provided.
Qualifications
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and some experience in legal research, legal writing, and legal procedures and processes.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.
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.