Associate General Counsel, Labor Relations

Associate General Counsel, Labor Relations (250005YY)

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.

Description: The Labor Relations (LR) section of the EEA Office of General Counsel (EEA Legal) advises the Secretary, management of all EEA agencies, and EEA’s Human Resources department (HR) with regard to all aspects of labor and employment issues affecting the secretariat, including collective bargaining, investigations, arbitration, and litigation relating to labor and employment issues. Additionally, LR serves as management’s representative at monthly labor‑management committee meetings and mid‑term bargaining.

The Associate General Counsel (AGC) sits in the LR section of the EEA Legal and provides employment and labor relations legal services to all agencies within EEA.

Responsibilities Include but are not limited to:

• Representing EEA agencies before the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) and Civil Service Commission.
• Working in partnership with EEA HR to ensure that SHRPs, Employee Relations, and management decisions align with organizational needs and meet our obligations under the collective bargaining agreements and applicable labor and employment laws.
• Providing expert consultation on employment investigations and collective bargaining.
• Consulting with agency clients and providing legal advice.
• Assisting with policy development and drafting of legislation.
• Researching and drafting legal memos.
• Assisting investigators with ongoing investigations.
• Providing legal support to collective bargaining.
• Providing assistance to the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsels as directed.
• Assisting HRD labor counsel in preparing matters for arbitration and hearings before the Department of Labor Relations.
• Leading monthly labor‑management committees and representing agencies in mid‑term bargaining.
• Advising clients on progressive discipline and obligations under MGL c. 150e.
• Performing other duties as assigned.

Qualifications Required at Hire: Applicants must be a licensed attorney or pending bar admission at the time of hire.

Preferred Skills and

Qualifications:

• At least five years of experience as a licensed attorney, preferably in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, working in the labor and employment specialty, with thorough knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations pertaining to labor and employment.
• Knowledge of litigation preparation, representation, negotiation, advocacy and writing effective legal briefs and memoranda.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining procedures.
• Knowledge of arbitration procedures.
• Ability to conduct hearings.
• Ability to interpret rules, regulations, and statutes.
• Ability to use Westlaw database and other research tools.
• Ability to analyze facts and evidence as to obtain a clear and well‑developed concept of the issues.
• Ability to express and present ideas orally and in writing in a clear and effective manner.
• Ability to effectively mediate complex and highly charged employment disputes.
• Ability to manage a variety of issues / projects in a dynamic and fast‑paced environment.
• Superior…