Senior Counsel – Workers’ Compensation and Employee Benefits

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority•Winthrop, MA

5d•Onsite

About The Position

Provides legal advice, counsel, support, and representation of the Authority concerning all aspects of workers' compensation matters and employee benefits. This role is crucial for ensuring compliance with various state and federal laws related to employee well-being and workplace safety. The Senior Counsel will collaborate with multiple departments to manage claims, assess liability, negotiate settlements, and advise on complex legal issues. The position is with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA), an organization dedicated to public health and environmental protection, serving millions of residents with high-quality drinking water and working to restore vital public resources.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
A minimum of 7 years of legal experience involving workers' compensation and employment laws.
At least five years of which includes representing clients before the Department of Industrial Accidents for workers' compensation claims under G.L. c. 152.
Experience, knowledge and understanding of state and federal employee leave and benefits laws, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, parental leave, earned sick time, and military leave laws, and other related authorities.
Admittance in good standing to the bar to practice law in Massachusetts state and federal courts.
Valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
Understanding of and experience in workers' compensation and employment law.
Experience representing clients in administrative proceedings before the Department of Industrial Accidents.
Experience providing advice and counsel to clients in matters involving workers' compensation and employment law.
Experience drafting and analyzing legal documents, collective bargaining agreements, claim documents, memoranda, and policies.
Experience interpreting and advising on laws, court decisions and opinions, rules and regulations.
Strong analytical, research, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
Excellent, clear, concise and effective writing and organizational skills.
Ability to work independently and as a member of a dynamic team.
Ability to exercise appropriate judgment.
Highly motivated, detail-oriented self-starter.

Nice To Haves

Experience conducting investigations preferred.

Responsibilities

Provides legal analysis, counsel and support concerning all aspects of workers' compensation matters, including claims management.
Represents the Authority in, and handles all aspects and stages of, workers' compensation matters before the Department of Industrial Accidents and in court.
Collaborates with Human Resources, Risk Management, safety personnel, training staff, outside counsel and third-party administrator, among others, to address issues related to the workers' compensation program.
Assesses exposure and liability, recommends and negotiates settlements and other agreements, participates in mediations and adjudications, and tracks and negotiates third-party liens.
Participates in review of new and existing cases with Human Resources and third-party administrator.
Provides legal and administrative advice for proper case management.
Provides legal analysis, counsel and support for compliance with mandatory and internal reporting.
Supports Human Resources and other staff to address issues involving Medicare, Medicaid and liens.
Provides legal analysis, counsel and support regarding the progress and outcome of active cases and coordination of return-to-work efforts.
Assists in decision-making process for issuance of workers' compensation and other employee benefits.
Coordinates, participates in and assists with investigations as appropriate.
Provides legal analysis, counsel and support, and collaborates with Human Resources and third-party administrator, to analyze and prepare claims for potential disability retirement applications.
Represents the MWRA before the MWRA Retirement Board.
Researches, provides legal advice and addresses issues under G.L. c. 32.
Provides legal analysis, counsel and support for issues concerning MWRA's compliance with statutes and regulations including G.L. c. 149, §§6 1/2 and 152, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, military leave laws, earned sick time laws, parental leave laws, laws concerning pregnant workers' rights, and related laws and regulations.
Provides legal analysis, counsel and support for and participates in the review of workplace accommodation requests and determination processes as required by state and federal law and regulations.
Addresses, in conjunction with other employment and labor counsel, collective bargaining and labor relations issues concerning workers' compensation and employee benefits.
Conducts legal research, drafts and conducts discovery, and prepares communications, legal memoranda, motions and briefs.
Interprets laws, court decisions and opinions, rules and regulations.
Construes and applies the Authority's enabling statute and regulations.
Drafts and amends internal policies, rules, standard operating procedures, collective bargaining provisions and communications.
Communicates and collaborates with managers and employees from all departments as required for appropriate claims management.
Conducts trainings for staff and contractors.
Provides advice to Human Resources to ensure compliance with all employment and labor notices and postings.
Performs other duties as required.