Senior Counsel, Workers' Compensation

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority; Winthrop (MA); On-site; USD 114,782 - 168,814; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) seeks a senior attorney to provide legal counsel on workers' compensation matters and employee benefits. The role involves advising on claims, compliance with state and federal employment laws, and collaboration with Human Resources and outside counsel.

The position requires a Juris Doctorate, at least seven years of relevant experience, good standing to practice in MA and federal courts, and a possible telework arrangement up to 50% of the work

Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• Minimum 7 years of legal experience involving workers' compensation and employment laws, including representation before the Department of Industrial Accidents.
• Admission in good standing to MA state and federal courts.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice, counsel and representation on workers' compensation and employee benefits.
• Represent MWRA before DIA and in court; coordinate with HR and risk management on claims.
• Analyze exposure, negotiate settlements, and manage case progress and return-to-work issues.
• Draft legal documents, policies, and communications; ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Train staff and advise managers on workplace accommodations and employment notices.

Skills

Workers' compensation

Employment law

Legal research

Oral & written communication

Education

Juris Doctorate

Job description

Are you looking to make a meaningful impact on public health and the environment? Join the MWRA team! We deliver some of the nation's highest-quality drinking water to 3 million residents, restored Boston Harbor, and continue to invest in protecting vital public resources. Be part of a mission-driven organization where your work truly makes a difference in a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment.

Summary

Provides legal advice, counsel, support, and representation of the Authority concerning all aspects of workers' compensation matters and employee benefits.

Posting Period: 6/23/2026 to 7/24/2026 Location: Deer Island (Winthrop), MA Salary: $114,782.91 - $168,814.75 Annually $2,207.36 - $3,246.44 Weekly Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 9:00am - 5:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Provides legal analysis, counsel and support concerning all aspects of workers' compensation matters, including claims management.
• Represents the Authority in, and handles all aspects and stages of, workers' compensation matters before the Department of Industrial Accidents and in court.
• Collaborates with Human Resources, Risk Management, safety personnel, training staff, outside counsel and third-party administrator, among others, to address issues related to the workers' compensation program.
• Assess exposure and liability, recommend and negotiate settlements and other agreements, participate in mediations and adjudications, and track and negotiate third-party liens.
• Participate in review of new and existing cases with Human Resources and third-party administrator. Provide legal and administrative advice for proper case management.
• Provide legal analysis, counsel and support for compliance with mandatory and internal reporting. Support Human Resources and other staff to address issues involving Medicare, Medicaid and liens.
• Provide legal analysis, counsel and support regarding the progress and outcome of active cases and coordination of return-to-work efforts. Assist in decision-making process for issuance of workers' compensation and other employee benefits.
• Coordinate, participate in and assist with investigations as appropriate.
• Provide legal analysis, counsel and support, and collaborate with Human Resources and third-party administrator, to analyze and prepare claims for potential disability retirement applications. Represent the MWRA before the MWRA Retirement Board. Research, provide legal advice and address issues under G.L. c. 32.
• Provide legal analysis, counsel and support for issues concerning MWRA's compliance with statutes and regulations including G.L. c. 149, §§6 1/2 and 152, the Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Act, military leave laws, earned sick time laws, parental leave laws, laws concerning pregnant workers' rights, and related laws and regulations.
• Provide legal analysis, counsel and support for and participate in the review of workplace accommodation requests and determination processes as required by state and federal law and regulations.
• Address, in conjunction with other employment and labor counsel, collective bargaining and labor relations issues concerning workers' compensation and employee benefits.
• Conduct legal research, drafts and conducts discovery, and prepares communications, legal memoranda, motions and briefs. Interprets laws, court decisions and opinions, rules and regulations.
• Construe and apply the Authority's enabling statute and regulations.
• Drafts and amends internal policies, rules, standard operating procedures, collective bargaining provisions and communications.
• Communicates and collaborates with managers and employees from all departments as required for appropriate claims management.
• Conducts trainings for staff and contractors.
• Provides advice to Human Resources to ensure compliance with all employment and labor notices and postings.
• Performs other duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
• A minimum of 7 years of legal experience involving workers' compensation and employment laws, at least five years of which includes representing clients before the Department of Industrial Accidents for workers' compensation claims under G.L. c. 152.
• Experience, knowledge and understanding of state and federal employee leave and benefits laws, including but not limited to the Family and Medical Leave Act, Paid Family Medical Leave Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, parental leave, earned sick time, and military leave laws, and other related authorities.
• Admittance in good standing to the bar to practice law in Massachusetts state and federal courts.
• Valid Class D Motor Vehicle Operator's license.
• May be eligible for telework up to 50% of the work week; waiting period may apply.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Understanding of and experience in workers' compensation and employment law. Experience representing clients in administrative proceedings before the Department of Industrial Accidents. Experience providing advice and counsel to clients in matters involving workers' compensation and employment law. Experience drafting and analyzing legal documents, collective bargaining agreements, claim documents, memoranda, and policies. Experience interpreting and advising on laws, court decisions and opinions, rules and regulations.
• Experience conducting investigations preferred.
• Strong analytical, research, organizational, and oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent, clear, concise and effective writing and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a dynamic team.
• Ability to exercise appropriate judgment.
• Highly motivated, detail-oriented self-starter.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office machines as normally associated, with the use of telephone, personal computer including word processing and other software, copy and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, talk or hear. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, including office equipment, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand and walk. Performing the job may involve lifting or exerting some objects of nominal weight. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment. The noise level in the work environment is usually a moderately quiet office setting.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the General Counsel or Associate General Counsel (Labor and Employment) as assigned. Exercises supervision of a legal assistant and/or support staff.

Other Position Information

• PCR: 7110020
• Division: Law
• Department: Law
• Union/Grade: USW9360 Unit 6C/Grade 13

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.