MAPC is seeking the services of a Senior Legal Counsel who enjoys working in a fast-paced environment on wide-ranging public sector legal issues. Reporting to the General Counsel, this management level position requires the ability provide staff strategic counsel and engage in innovative legal problem solving and risk mitigation in numerous areas of practice. This position will provide an excellent opportunity for responsibility, learning, and career growth.  

About MAPC:

MAPC is the Regional Planning Agency (RPA) serving the people who live and work in metropolitan Boston. Our strategic priorities are sustainable development, regional collaboration, and fostering an equitable and climate-resilient region.  We are guided by our regional plan, MetroCommon2050: Shaping the Region Together. MAPC’s staff includes approximately 100 full-time employees located in downtown Boston in a transit-accessible and bike-friendly office.

MAPC has a hybrid schedule, combining time in the office with remote work. Employees must reside within a commutable distance from MAPC’s Boston office.

MAPC is a people-centered organization, dedicated to the belief that our work on behalf of the region requires innovative thinking, working hard, but also maintaining balance. This means taking time for our families, ourselves, and our communities.  

MAPC strongly supports the professional development of each staff person, believing their growth to be consistent with the best interests of MAPC and the region. We encourage all our staff to develop new ideas to make MAPC’s planning and policy work more relevant and impactful, and to adapt to changing times.

This is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and innovative environment with professionals who are committed to building a more sustainable and equitable future for everyone who lives and works in Greater Boston. For more information about MAPC or MetroCommon 2050, please visit www.mapc.org 

Responsibilities (including but not limited to) 

• Conduct legal research and drafts opinions on numerous legal and policy issues for the agency;
• Develop creative and innovative resolutions to legal challenges;
• Advise executive leaders, department heads, and employees on general matters such as state ethics laws, open meeting laws, public records laws, public sector procurement matters, specific departmental or interest areas;  
• Build relationships with each MAPC Department through a responsive, collaborative and solution-oriented approach;
• Review contracts and grant agreements with municipalities, state and federal agencies, foundations, vendors, and other parties;
• Provide legal support on HR related matters, policies and procedures; 
• Assist with various compliance investigations, as needed;
• Support MAPC purchasing of goods and services, in accordance with various federal and state statutes, including but not limited to MGL Ch. 30B and 2 CFR 200;
• Review and interpret statutory language (both current laws and pending legislation) to inform policy and regulatory perspectives at MAPC); and
• Analyze federal grant funding requirements and apply to internal and external contracting.

Limited local travel is required for this position. MAPC does not require that you have a vehicle; however, you must have a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC provides support for travel, including MBTA passes, a Zipcar account, and BlueBikes membership.  

Qualifications

Candidates for this position must have a Juris Doctor (JD), be a current member of the Massachusetts Bar (in good standing) and have at least five (5) years of legal practice experience.

Successful candidates for this position will demonstrate all or most of the following:

• Knowledge of Massachusetts municipal law;
• Experience in reviewing HR policies for legal compliance; 
• Demonstrated experience in general corporate matters, especially for public agencies;
• Experience with municipal procurement;
• Excellent legal drafting and research skills;
• Strategic and analytical thinking;
• Willing to assume responsibilities to learn current and emerging state and federal laws as they apply to MAPC and our member municipalities.

Per MAPC COVID-19 Vaccine Policy, all employees must be fully vaccinated. This position will require the selected candidate to show proof of full vaccination against COVID-19, including the Bivalent booster. MAPC is an equal opportunity employer and will consider reasonable accommodation to those individuals who are unable to be vaccinated consistent with federal, state, and local law. 

Compensation and Benefits: 
The salary ranges from $95,000 – $100,000 depending on qualifications and experience. This is a full-time exempt position. MAPC offers excellent Massachusetts state employee benefits as well as a flexible, supportive, and family-friendly work environment and a commitment to continued professional development. 

How to Apply: 
Apply online at www.mapc.org/jobs. The position is open until filled, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume. Candidates selected to interview will be asked to submit three (3) references plus a sample of relevant writing or work product. Candidates must have legal authorization to work in the USA and a valid driver’s license and/or the ability to arrange transportation to meetings in different parts of the region. MAPC participates in E-Verify, which is a federal program that helps us to determine work eligibility in the United States. A Criminal Offenders Records Information (CORI) request must be completed if offered this position. A criminal record is not an automatic bar to employment at MAPC, but it will be reviewed considering the position and other elements of an applicant’s resume.
 
We believe that a staff with a range of perspectives, experiences, and skillsets strengthens our work. We are committed to building a more equitable workplace that allows staff with diverse backgrounds and identities to thrive, grow, and lead. For more information on MAPC’s culture of equity, see our  Equity at MAPC page.