General Counsel

Boston Water and Sewer Commission • Boston, MA

31d • $2,913 - $4,327 • Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

• Additional admission to the Federal US District of Massachusetts, 1st Circuit Court of Appeals is helpful.
• Any equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.

Responsibilities

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior