Counsel III

Commonwealth of Massachusetts • Boston, MA

10d

About The Position

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) is seeking a Counsel III in the Siting Division of the Department of Public Utilities (DPU). This role also functions as Counsel III to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Board (EFSB). The position requires an expert in the governing statutes and regulations of both agencies concerning the siting and permitting of major new energy infrastructure in Massachusetts, including clean energy facilities (renewable electric generation, energy storage, electric transmission lines and substations) and legacy energy facilities (intrastate natural gas pipelines, fossil-fueled electric generation facilities, large liquid natural gas storage facilities). The Counsel III will supervise legal staff, paralegals, and legal interns. This role may serve as the Senior Presiding Officer on high-priority, complex, and highly contested agency adjudications regarding proposed Siting Board jurisdictional facilities. Responsibilities include initiating and managing subject matter and procedural aspects of Siting Board adjudicatory proceedings, presiding over public and evidentiary hearings, supervising technical staff in developing the evidentiary record, and drafting final agency decisions. The position also involves expertise in local, regional, and state permitting of energy facilities, familiarity with ISO-New England’s transmission planning procedures, understanding the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) rules on cost allocation, managing complex litigation, drafting regulations, reviewing legislation, providing legal advice to agency leadership, recommending policy initiatives, and advising on appeals to the Supreme Judicial Court. The Counsel III will also serve on panels for conferences and speaking engagements.

Requirements

• A Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association
• At least six years of full-time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency
• Extensive experience in administrative law, public utility law, energy policy or environmental law
• Extensive expertise in the governing statutes and regulations relative to the siting and permitting of major new energy infrastructure in Massachusetts
• Strong organizational skills and ability to lead
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in oral and written form
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and the ability to maintain effective working relationships with persons at all levels

Nice To Haves

• Three years in a supervisory capacity may be required based on assignment and supervisory responsibilities

Responsibilities

• Overseeing, reviewing, and supervising the work of a team of technical staff assigned to a particular proceeding
• Serving as Presiding Officer on high-priority, complex and highly contested agency adjudications
• Managing the case schedule and specific conduct of the adjudicatory proceeding, including conducting local public hearings and presiding at evidentiary hearing(s); making written and oral rulings; working with technical staff to ensure the development of a thorough record
• Initiating and managing all subject matter and procedural aspects of Siting Board adjudicatory proceedings
• Participating in the preparation of a Tentative Decision and Final Decision, and presenting the Tentative Decision to the Siting Board at its deliberative public meetings
• Preparing legal research and/or memoranda on agency jurisdiction, procedures, legal standards, as well as on applicable law and precedent
• Representing the Siting Board in interventions before other administrative agencies
• Mastering local, state and national permitting procedures, requirements and standards
• Drafting regulations and reviewing legislation
• Serving as advisor regarding matters appealed from the agency to the Supreme Judicial Court
• Serving on panels for conferences and speaking engagements as assigned

Benefits

• Comprehensive Benefits
• Outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package
• Work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree