General Counsel I

State of Vermont; Montpelier (VT); On-site; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Vermont seeks a General Counsel I to lead the Department's legal team and provide strategic legal advice to the Commissioner and senior officials. This role will oversee workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, and wage and hour matters, and engage with federal and state regulations.

The GC will coordinate contracts, grants, and litigation strategies, serve as public records officer, and work closely with the Attorney General's Office.

Qualifications

• Must be a member in good standing of the Vermont bar or eligible for admission.
• At least 5 years of relevant legal experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills; knowledge of administrative law.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the Department's legal team across multiple programs and advise on significant public policy matters.
• Provide legal guidance to the Commissioner and senior leadership.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General and liaise on administrative rulemaking and litigation.

Skills

Legal analysis

Oral communication

Written communication

Administrative law

Education

Vermont Bar Admission

Job description

Overview

The Department of Labor is seeking a General Counsel (GC) I to provide legal advice and support to the Commissioner and other Department officials. This is the chief legal position of the Department, reporting directly to the Commissioner. The GC will manage a complex and varied workload providing legal advice on significant public policy matters and in areas of substantial financial impact, as well as may appear before legislative committees on bills of particular importance to the Department as needed.

Description

The duties of the GC include oversight of the Department's legal team, involving Workers' Compensation Insurance, Unemployment Insurance, VOSHA, and Wage and Hour, as well as the associated appeal efforts in those programs. The GC is a member of the Department's Senior Leadership Team and provides legal guidance with regards to extensive federal and state regulations as it relates to the various programs within the Department. The GC ensures support either personally or via the Department's legal team for the Vermont Employment Security Board.

Additional duties include, legal review of Department's contracts and grant agreements, coordination of the Department's administrative rulemaking efforts, and participation in the development and execution of litigation strategies in state, federal and regulatory forums relating to the work of the Department. The General Counsel serves as liaison to the Office of the Attorney General with respect to the work of Assistant Attorneys General providing legal support to the Department. The GC is also the Department's public records officer.

Compensation

Salary and benefits are based upon qualifications and experience in accordance with the State of Vermont Attorney Pay Plan.

Minimum Requirements

Candidates must be a member in good standing of the Vermont bar or eligible for admission with at least 5 years of relevant legal experience and have excellent oral and written communication skills, knowledge of administrative law and other areas of the law relevant to the work of the Department, and the ability to build and maintain relationships among a variety of constituents.

This position requires working in the Montpelier office at least 3 days a week with the potential to work some days out of a district office for the right candidate. A regular presence with the Wage and Hour program team in the Burlington office is also required. This position is open until filled.

Equal Opportunity Statement

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity, and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. The State does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion or belief, national, social or ethnic origin, sex (including pregnancy), age, physical, mental or sensory disability, HIV Status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital, civil union or domestic partnership status, past or present military service, membership in an employee organization, family medical history or genetic information, or family or parental status. The State's employment decisions are merit-based. Retaliatory adverse employment actions by the State are forbidden.