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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.

DPU:

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is the state agency responsible for overseeing investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water companies in Massachusetts. It regulates the safety of bus companies, moving companies, transportation network companies, and oversees the safety of natural gas pipelines and the MBTA.

Job Description:

Counsel III in the Siting Division of the Department of Public Utilities also functions as Counsel III to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Board.  As such, Counsel III is an expert in the governing statutes and regulations of both agencies relative to the siting and permitting of major new energy infrastructure in Massachusetts, including clean energy infrastructure facilities (such as renewable electric generating, energy storage, and electric transmission lines and substations); and legacy energy facilities (such as intrastate natural gas pipelines; fossil-fueled electric generating facilities, and large liquid natural gas storage facilities).  This position requires an experienced attorney with substantial specialized experience, with expertise in both state and federal law - including state and local permitting requirements.  Counsel III is an experienced attorney with a broad background in environmental law, civil litigation and administrative law, with specialized subject matter expertise in the siting and permitting of energy facilities.  The Counsel III shall supervise the following staff: legal staff, paralegals and legal interns as assigned.

The Counsel III may serve as the Senior Presiding Officer on high-priority, complex and highly contested agency adjudications regarding proposed Siting Board jurisdictional clean energy infrastructure facilities, large scale electric generating and transmission facilities, as well as intrastate natural gas pipeline facilities.  Counsel III has responsibility for initiating and managing subject matter and procedural aspects of Siting Board adjudicatory proceedings, including presiding over both public hearings and evidentiary hearings; supervision of technical staff in the development of the evidentiary record; and the drafting of a final agency decision.

Other specific duties include: expertise in local, regional, and state permitting of energy facilities; familiarity  with ISO-New England's transmission planning procedures and substantive planning methodologies as applied to New England electric transmission utilities and the ability to communicate these procedures and standards to members of the Siting Board; familiarity with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's ("FERC") rules concerning cost allocation of transmission-related costs; maintaining an up-to-date legal knowledge of applicable FERC rules and ISO-NE rules concerning Critical Energy Infrastructure Information ("CEII") to draft appropriate protective orders for sensitive transmission infrastructure information; independently managing complex litigation and hearings with multiple parties with a variety of ongoing procedural and substantive legal issues and motions; drafting regulations and reviewing legislation; providing expert legal advice to Board members, Commissioners, the Director, Assistant Directors, Siting General Counsel, and Department General, Deputy General and Assistant General Counsels; independently recommending and implementing policy initiatives; and serving as advisor to the Director and Siting General Counsel regarding appeals of agency decisions to the Supreme Judicial Court.  The Counsel III shall serve on panels for conferences and speaking engagements as assigned.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process.  

Your responsibilities in the position include, but are not limited to:

• 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

The successful candidate will have:

• 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.

Incumbent may be required to attend a one-week out of state training program.

EFSB Overview

The Energy Facilities Siting Board (EFSB) is an independent state board that reviews proposed clean energy infrastructure facilities (such as renewable electric generating, energy storage, and electric transmission lines and substations); and legacy energy facilities (such as intrastate natural gas pipelines; fossil-fueled electric generating facilities, and large liquid natural gas storage facilities).  The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) administratively supports the work of the EFSB and its staff, but the eleven-member EFSB makes its decisions independently. The Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for oversight of electric, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth. 

For further information, please visit:  https://www.mass.gov/orgs/energy-facilities-siting-board.

Siting Division Overview

The Siting Division of the DPU is a diverse team of lawyers, planners, engineers, economists, and environmental specialists that reviews major energy facility proposals requiring EFSB approvals.  Our mission is to ensure that approved projects are consistent with applicable statutes, regulations, and policies, and serve the public interest.  The work of the Siting Division takes place in a rapidly evolving energy landscape, with significant technological, regulatory, and market changes, and a growing emphasis on both mitigating and adapting to climate change, while maintaining reliable, safe, and cost-effective energy supplies vital to the Massachusetts economy.  The projects we review are at the forefront of important energy, environmental, policy, and technological trends that are transforming energy infrastructure in Massachusetts.

For further information, please visit:  https://www.mass.gov/energy-facilities-siting-board.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar Association, and at least (A) 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.  Based on assignment and supervisory responsibilities, three years in a supervisory capacity may be required.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.