The General Counsel is a senior-ranking manager and acts as chief legal and key policy advisor for the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS), within the Executive Office of Labor & Workforce Development (EOLWD). DAS is responsible for the oversight of registered apprenticeship programs in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Our goal is to connect people to high-demand job opportunities across the Commonwealth through equitable access to training and employers. A major focus of the Division is to grow and diversify apprenticeship opportunities in all sectors.

The General Counsel provides legal and policy expertise to administer, interpret, and regulate registered apprenticeship and ensure compliance with both federal and state legal and regulatory requirements. This role is also essential in the development of new policy and programming including supporting efforts to grow and diversify apprenticeship opportunities, streamlining interagency collaboration, and helping seamlessly administer various federal, state, and local legal, compliance, and policy related requirements.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)

• Draft legal documents for DAS programs and draft and review Division policies for legal and regulatory adherence, including compliance.
• Work to ensure consistent interpretation of all Registered Apprenticeship, Prevailing Wage, and Occupational Licensing requirements, including new and developing guidance issued in the field. The incumbent is responsible for understanding the application of these laws and adherence to past precedent.
• Oversee administrative hearings, coordinate with EOLWD legal and/or the Attorney General’s Office to represent DAS in civil and criminal proceedings, handle all discovery and legal pleadings for DAS, provide responses to subpoenas, appear as required before judicial bodies, coordinate with EOLWD legal to draft and amend regulations, and respond to inquiries from the Director, Executive Office, Attorney General’s Office, Governor’s Office, and other stakeholders. Interact, collaborate, and otherwise work with contractors, unions, trade representatives, private organizations, General Counsels of other agencies, representatives of the courts, federal agencies, the Attorney General’s Office, the Executive Office, and the Governor’s Office. The General Counsel also represents DAS on multiple committees and boards.
• Serve as DAS Records Access Officer and responsible for responding to all Public Records Requests, subpoenas, and complying with the rules of judicial procedure and the Freedom of Information Act.
• Supervisory responsibility of staff who are responsible for the state regulatory review of apprenticeship programs and apprentice agreements including DEI policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• The General Counsel must be an excellent communicator both verbally and in writing.
• A JD and a current license to practice law in Massachusetts is required.
• Ability to establish rapport and working relationships with individuals from a wide variety of different cultural, ethnic, and economic backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to articulate and stimulate interest in specialized programs, services, and customers.
• Ability to understand, explain and implement policies and procedures, standards, guidelines, laws and regulations that govern DAS activities.
• Proven ability to interact in a team environment and to establish and maintain harmonious working relationships with peers, supervisors, other agency representatives, employers and customers.
• Working knowledge of MS Windows, Word and Excel. Proven ability to accurately and concisely record information and maintain the integrity of the computerized database.

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!