Deputy General Counsel for Labor Relations

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.

 

The Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretariat (EOEEA) provides oversight of the Commonwealth’s energy and environmental agencies, namely, the Division of Energy Resources (DOER), Department of Public Utilities (DPU), Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), Department of Fish and Game (DFG), and Department of Agricultural Resources (DAR). EOEEA also has divisions within the Secretariat, including the Office of Law Enforcement (OLE or Massachusetts Environmental Police), Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA) office, Coastal Zone Management (CZM) office, and Division of Conservation Services (DCS). All agencies and divisions promote the environmental or energy related goals and initiatives of the Administration and the Secretary of EOEEA.

 

The primary duties of this position are to serve as Deputy General Counsel for Labor Relations overseeing the Labor Relations staff.  While this position reports to the General Counsel, it requires a close working relationship with the Chief Operating Officer and Secretariat Human Resources Director.   In addition to these primary duties, this position includes duties relating to EOEEA’s employment law obligations including as they relate to employees who are not bargaining unit members.  Additional duties relating to broader legal and compliance issues will be assigned in consultation between the successful applicant and the General Counsel. 

Candidates must possess a law degree at time of hire.

 

Job Summary:

• Manage the Labor Relations Unit overseeing all labor relations matters for EOEEA and its agencies and divisions. This includes handling of collective bargaining disputes and grievances, and partnering with Human Resources on investigations of employee complaints excluding those matters under the jurisdiction of the Human Resources Division (HRD) Center for Excellence.  
• Develop Secretariat-wide policies and procedures as related to labor matters and serve as primary liaison for EOEEA in all dealings with relevant bargaining units. 
• Interpret, advise, and counsel management and supervisory staff of legal obligations under collective bargaining agreements, Civil Service Law and Human Resources Division (HRD/OER) policy and procedures, and other applicable employment or labor laws and regulations, including but not limited to Massachusetts General Laws c. 151B, Title VII of the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Americans with Disabilities Act, and other similar laws.  
• Represent the appointing authority in all administrative proceedings related to labor and employment matters, including before HRD’s Office of Employment Relations (OER), labor arbitrators, the Civil Service Commission, MCAD, EEOC, the Industrial Accident Board, Division of Unemployment Assistance, US Department of Labor, EEOC, NLRB, and other similar proceedings occurring prior to civil litigation.  
• Serve as a hearing officer for pre-disciplinary hearings held by the Secretariat. 
• Serve as general advisor and subject matter expert on labor relations issues, including, but not limited to collective bargaining negotiations. 
• Conduct just cause disciplinary hearings and processing grievances; reviewing personnel investigations to make disciplinary recommendations when assigned; partner with HR Deputy Directors when providing guidance to managers carrying out disciplinary action; and maintaining related files and records. 
• Actively participate in collective bargaining of applicable bargaining units by developing comprehensive proposals for consideration by the Commonwealth’s Office of Employee Relations and participating in negotiations as a team member.   
• Partner with Secretariat Human Resources Director or HR Deputy Directors on implementation of secretariat human resources strategies impacting or involving employees covered under collective bargaining agreement. 

 

Required at time of hire:

• Candidates must possess a law degree at time of hire.
• Supervisory and/or management experience.
• Experience in the implementation, administration and/or interpretation of employment-related programs.
• Experience with the collective bargaining process.
• Knowledge of employee and labor relations practices and federal and state regulations pertaining to labor issues.
• Must have exceptional communication, both verbal and written, attention to detail and the ability to resolve issues efficiently and effectively.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work effectively in both a team/group environment, and independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to effectively resolve complex problems.
• Strong sense of accountability and sound personal judgment
• Skill at influencing through strong relationships and expertise
• Proficient in Microsoft Word, Excel, Power Point and other.

 

 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

 

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

 

Candidates must possess a law degree at time of hire.

 

Substitutions:

 

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

 

II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

 

III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

 

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

 

 

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.

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