Investigative Hearing Officer - Counsel I

Commonwealth of Massachusetts; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 80,411 - 117,590; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

Job summary

The Department of Labor Relations in Massachusetts seeks an Investigative Hearing Officer/Mediator (Counsel I) to conduct investigations of unfair labor practice charges, draft complaints and dismissal letters, and provide mediation of contract negotiations.

Requirements include a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar, and strong legal research, writing, and procedures experience; familiarity with trials or hearings and publishable decisions is preferred.

Qualifications

• Demonstrated ability to conduct probable cause investigations and mediate disputes.
• Ability to write decisions of publishable quality and conduct legal research.
• Experience with trials or hearings and drafting legal documents.

Responsibilities

• Conduct investigations of unfair labor practice charges (in person or via videoconference).
• Evaluate facts and law; draft complaints and dismissal letters.
• Provide mediation services for contract negotiations and disputes.
• Investigate petitions and draft decisions as needed.

Skills

Investigations

Mediation

Legal research

Drafting complaints

Memoranda of law

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

The Department of Labor Relations (DLR) is a neutral agency charged with administering the Commonwealth's collective bargaining statutes. The Department exercises jurisdiction over public sector employers in Massachusetts and the labor organizations that represent their employees pursuant to M.G.L. c.150E and M.G.L. c.150A.

The DLR is seeking an Investigative Hearing Officer/Mediator (Counsel I). The selected candidate will conduct investigations of unfair labor practice charges, draft and issue complaints and dismissal letters and provide mediation of contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Conduct in-person and videoconference investigations of unfair labor practice charges filed pursuant to M.G.L. c.150E, M.G.L. c.150A or M.G.L. c.150F.
• Evaluate facts and law, draft and issue complaints and dismissal letters.
• Conduct research, write memoranda of law, and perform information officer duties.
• Investigate representation and written majority authorization petitions pursuant to M.G.L. c.150E, M.G.L. c.150A or M.G.L. c.150F, and draft decisions.
• Provide contract, grievance and unfair labor practice mediation services.

Requirements and Qualifications

This position requires the demonstrated ability to conduct probable cause investigations; mediate labor disputes and contracts; evaluate facts and law; draft and issue complaints and orders of dismissal; conduct legal research; write memoranda of law and perform Information Officer duties. It also requires demonstrated ability to facilitate the informal resolution of cases during their investigatory and adjudicatory phases. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in trials or hearings and the ability to write decisions that are of a publishable quality.

Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and experience in legal research, legal writing, and legal procedures and processes.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Department’s recruiting guidelines.

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

Applicants must submit a resume, cover letter and recent writing sample with their electronic application.

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.

Salary: $80,411.50 - $117,590.46 yearly.

Official Title: Counsel I.

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes.