Senior Counsel – Records Access Officer and Information Management

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority•Winthrop, MA

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

The position will serve as the Authority's Records Access Officer and shall handle all legal issues and provide legal counsel, advice, support and representation concerning, among other areas, public records, information and records management, eDiscovery and data privacy.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree and Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school
At least six years of legal experience involving public records, information management, records retention, records management, records disposition, eDiscovery, and data privacy.
Admittance in good standing to the bar to practice law in Massachusetts.
A valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license.

Nice To Haves

Strong understanding of and knowledge in the legal areas of public records, information management, records retention, records management, records disposition, eDiscovery and data privacy.
Ability to interpret and comply with laws, regulations, including but not limited to exemptions and codes.
Strong verbal and writing skills.
Strong research, critical thinking and analytical skills.
Strong organizational skills, including time management and attention to detail.
Proven ability to efficiently manage multiple assignments and tasks.
Effective use of Word, Excel and database applications.
Demonstrated excellence in writing, oral advocacy, customer service, presentation, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Responsibilities

Serves as the Authority's Records Access Officer and performs all duties described in G.L. c.66, §10 and associated regulations.
Responds to all public records requests made to the Authority and performs associated tasks.
Maintains electronic tracking and database for requests, deadlines, and related forms of information relating to public records.
Communicates and negotiates with requesters regarding their public records requests.
Prepares written responses to public records and related requests, including any required substantive legal analysis.
Coordinates with Authority personnel in the retrieval of records; reviews and identifies responsive records and provides counsel to staff.
Maintains confidentiality and integrity of sensitive information obtained or reviewed.
Provides legal counsel, advice and representation on issues and matters relating to data privacy.
Responsible for redaction of information subject to exemptions or made non-public by law.
Manages the assessment of fees for the production of public records.
Performs legal research and provides legal analysis, counsel and advice on issues and policy matters related to areas of responsibility.
Represents the Authority in, and handles, all matters relating to public records before the Secretary of the Commonwealth, including appeals to that office.
Prepares and files petitions to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Drafts all documents and submissions relating to public records to the Secretary of the Commonwealth.
Works in collaboration with and supports litigation counsel in all court matters relating to public records, document production and other areas of responsibility.
Prepares internal reports on the Authority's public records activity.
Prepares and files annual report regarding records requests received by the Authority using the Secretary of the Commonwealth's online Public Records Request Database.
Ensures the Authority's public records are retained and archived as required by law.
Maintains electronic database for storing public records correspondence and related documents.
Reviews electronic and paper documents as well as destruction requests with the Authority's personnel and provides legal advice and counsel on the Massachusetts Statewide Records Retention Schedule.
Assists Authority's personnel in the review and preparation of destruction requests for submission to the Commonwealth's Records Conservation Board.
Reviews and updates policies relating to the storage, access and transportation of records containing confidential, sensitive and/or personal information.
Provides legal review of Law Divisions' records and coordinates with staff on coding, archiving and dispositioning of records in compliance with the Massachusetts Statewide Records Schedule.
Assists litigation counsel with discovery and document review; assists with collecting responsive documents and redacting information protected by law; prepares and issues litigation holds and personnel holds; works with the Authority's eDiscovery platform and/or eDiscovery vendors; identifies, collects, reviews, organizes and preserves documents and electronically stored information.
Conducts legal research and prepares communications and legal memoranda.
Interprets laws, court decisions and opinions, rules and regulations.
Construes and applies the Authority's enabling statute, policies and regulations.
Drafts, updates and maintains internal policies, rules, and standard operating procedures concerning areas of responsibility.
Contributes to the development of regulations, policies, standard operating procedures and other informational materials related to the Authority's work, including data privacy, cloud tools and services and cloud-based document management systems (e.g. SharePoint).
Reviews and advises on risks and benefits of technologies that are part of the legal practice.
Reviews cloud service provider agreements to ensure confidentiality of information, data security, notice of data breach, and data accessibility by the Authority.
Assists the Law Division in preparing for administrative proceedings.
Conducts trainings; apprises on issues and legal developments in areas of responsibility.
Assists in drafting, analyzing and reviewing legislation and regulations affecting the Authority and advises on the potential impacts upon the Authority's activities, practices and procedures.
Performs other duties as required.