Counsel III

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.

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 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.

About the Team

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.

About the Role

The Counsel III in the Siting Division of the Department of Public Utilities also functions as Counsel III to the Massachusetts Energy Facilities Board (EFSB). This role serves as 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 and legacy energy facilities. The position requires an experienced attorney with substantial specialized experience and expertise in both state and federal law, including state and local permitting requirements.

As a key leader within the team, you will supervise legal staff, paralegals, and legal interns. You 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. Your day-to-day involves initiating and managing subject matter and procedural aspects of Siting Board adjudicatory proceedings, presiding over public and evidentiary hearings, and supervising technical staff in the development of the evidentiary record. You will be responsible for drafting final agency decisions, providing expert legal advice to Board members and senior leadership, and serving as an advisor regarding appeals to the Supreme Judicial Court.

Hiring Process

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days. A cover letter and resume must be submitted as part of the application process. For JAWS users, specific application and profile creation tools are available on the state portal.

Equal Opportunity

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. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.