Assistant General Counsel - Rail Transit Safety

The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) is responsible for oversight of investor-owned electric power, natural gas, and water utilities in the Commonwealth; developing alternatives to traditional regulation; monitoring service quality; regulating safety in the transportation and gas pipeline areas; and for certain aspects associated with the siting of energy facilities. The mission of the Department is to ensure that utility consumers are provided with the most reliable service at the lowest possible cost; to protect the public safety from transportation and gas pipeline related accidents; and to ensure that residential ratepayers' rights are protected.  The DPU seeks to promote safety, security, reliability of service, affordability, equity, and greenhouse gas emission reductions.

The Division of Rail Transit Safety serves as the State Safety Oversight Agency (SSOA) of the MBTA.  The Division works closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) regarding MBTA Rail Transit Safety issues.  The Division's prime responsibility is to oversee Rail Transit Safety and to fully implement the strict requirements of Federal Regulation 49 CMR Part 674.

The Department of Public Utilities seek applicants for the position of Assistant General Counsel (AGC) in the Rail Transit Safety Division.  

The AGC to the Rail Transit Safety Division is responsible for managing both adjudicatory and non adjudicatory matters that fall within the scope of Rail Transit Safety matters including but not limited to, regulations, filings requirements with FTA, Corrective Action Plans (CAPs), hazard identification, and enforcement actions   In managing legal and policy matters, the AGC must have a working knowledge of Massachusetts General Laws, Federal Transit laws, MBTA policies and procedures, the program plan for the Rail program, as well as many issues on Common Carrier.

A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process and attached "as relevant" to the requisition.

Responsibilities include:

• Assisting in the formulation of policy concerning Rail Transit Safety in the Commonwealth;
• Assisting in formulating any regulatory or statutory measures that may be necessary to implement policies concerning Rail Transit Safety in the Commonwealth;
• Assisting in setting case priorities for the Division;
• Providing final legal review of all decisions before they are released to the public, to the commission, or to federal and state agencies;
• Writing and reviewing briefs and legal memoranda, and participating in negotiations with parties when appropriate:
• Managing administrative matters concerning the processing of documents related to case matters and communications from legislators, cities and towns, and consumers;
• Coordinating work with other internal divisions related to case-tracking procedures, docketing procedures and the content and management of the Transportation and Rail Transit Safety Divisions section of the website;
• Advising the Director of the Transportation and all managers in the Rail Transit Safety Siting Division and members of the Commission on statutory and procedural requirements for agency action, and on obligations under the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and related legislation;
• Keeping up to date on relevant statutes, regulations, case law, and legal and policy issues relevant to Transportation, Rail Transit Safety, and Department regulations.
• Related duties as assigned.

Qualifications required:

• Law degree from an accredited law school.
• Member of the Massachusetts Bar.
• Three to five years of experience as a practicing utility or energy attorney with substantial administrative law experience.
• Experience selecting, training, and developing the skills of attorneys.
• Experience managing a staff of attorneys.
• Experience reviewing performance and evaluating work of attorneys.
• Experience with resolving complex issues that require both technical and legal knowledge.
• Experience with creative problem solving.
• Experience with managing major policy initiatives from inception to reality.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, professional internship, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions:

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

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

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

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

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Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.

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.