The Massachusetts Teachers Association is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Staff Counsel in Legal Services. If you are interested in applying for this opportunity, please notify Human Resources in writing by Friday, August 8, 2014.
POSITION DESCRIPTION
Title: Staff Counsel
Division: Legal Services
Designation: MATA Unit
Reports to: General Counsel / Director of Legal Services
Job Summary: Provides a variety of legal services for the Association, its affiliates and members to protect and advance the rights of MTA members and actively supports the Association’s programs, policies, and initiatives to strengthen the organization’s power through member-engagement.
Key Responsibilities:
- Represent local affiliates and members in proceedings in different venues, including before arbitrators, administrative agencies, and state and federal courts.
- Provide written and verbal legal advice to members, local associations and MTA staff on a wide-variety of issues, including but not limited to labor law; public sector bargaining, labor relations, and collective bargaining agreements; the Education Reform Act; and state and federal employment-related areas of law.
- Engage in legal research and writing of varying degrees of complexity.
- Draft and review legislation impacting the Association and its members.
- Conduct training both externally and internally.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills and Qualifications:
- Demonstrated commitment to labor unions and public education.
- At least two years of experience in the practice of one or more of the following areas of law: public sector labor law and labor relations; state and federal employment laws, including discrimination, whistleblower, medical leave, and wage acts; unemployment law; laws pertaining to Massachusetts public education employees at the pre-kindergarten through higher education levels; public sector health insurance and retirement laws; and federal and state constitutional laws.
- Demonstrated litigation skills.
- Excellent verbal skills for oral advocacy, negotiations, mediation, training and client communication.
- Demonstrated ability to write clearly and persuasively; strong analytical skills.
- Effective investigation and research skills (including in Westlaw).
- Ability to build consensus among parties, including those with divergent interests.
- Ability to work quickly and creatively, to handle multiple assignments simultaneously and to function well both independently and as part of a team.
- Strong computer skills including MS Office experience.
- Demonstrated academic achievement and initiative.
- Willingness to travel in Massachusetts and work some nights and weekends.
- Willingness to practice law exclusively on behalf of the Massachusetts Teachers Association.
- Bachelor’s degree and LLB/JD from nationally accredited institution and admitted to practice in Massachusetts and the Federal District Court of Massachusetts.
Any qualification may be waived if it is in the best interest of the Association. We value our diverse workforce and welcomepersons with disabilities, applications from minorities, women, and the MTA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
To apply for this opportunity, please notify Human Resources in writing by Friday, August 8, 2014.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
MTA Human Resources
20 Ashburton Place
Boston, MA 02108
jobs@massteacher.org
Fax: 617-725-4287