Closing Date: 21st January, 2026
Description:
At the MBTA, we envision a thriving region enabled by a best-in-class transit system. Our mission is to serve the public by providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation. MBTA's Core Values are built around safety, service, equity, sustainability, and culture. Each employee that works for the MBTA performs their roles based on our vision, mission, and values. This includes attendance, participation, and contribution in local safety committee meetings as needed.Job Summary:
The Counsel, Energy and Environmental will provide advice and counsel on behalf of the Office of the General Counsel within the Commercial Transactions Center of Excellence. The Counsel reports directly to the Senior Energy and Environmental Counsel and is accountable for delivering excellent legal services to advance MassDOT and the MBTA's interests relative to environmental and energy matters.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- Provide legal advice on environmental, energy, and permitting matters within the Office of the General Counsel.
- Provide advice and counsel to internal clients relating to compliance with energy and environmental policies and legal requirements affecting MassDOT and MBTA.
- Provide legal guidance related to MassDOT and MBTA's efforts to implement and enforce transportation-related energy and environmental policies, regulations, and legislation.
- Provide advice related to pending legislation and regulations, as well as MassDOT and MBTA's interactions with federal, state and local energy and environmental agencies.
- Handle energy and environmental transactional matters related to real estate, permitting and commercial transactions, in connection with strategic initiatives development projects, construction projects and operations.
- Represent MassDOT and MBTA in local, state, and federal energy and environmental administrative proceedings.
- Represent MassDOT and MBTA in pre-litigation matters and proceedings.
- Prepare summaries of complex transactions for the General Counsel's Office, the General Manager's Office, the Secretary, the Board of Directors, and senior management.
- Ensure compliance with MassDOT and MBTA policies and processes.
- Review and approve documents and agreements prior to approval as to form by the Office of General Counsel and execution.
- Interpret court decisions and opinions, statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the MBTA.
- Perform legal research as required on issues relative to energy and environmental matters affecting MassDOT and MBTA.
- Adhere to the rules, regulations, and policies of MassDOT and MBTA including the EEO, Anti-Discrimination, Conflict of Interest, and Anti-Harassment and Anti-Retaliation policies.
- Perform all other duties and projects that may be assigned.
- A Juris Doctorate (J.D.) from an accredited institution.
- Membership in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar with annual certification and registration by the Board of Bar Overseers.
- Five (5) years of energy and environmental legal experience including compliance with energy and environmental policies and legal requirements, permitting matters, or implementing and enforcing energy and environmental policies, regulations, and legislation.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced work environment.
- Effective organizational, analytical, confidentiality, quantitative, writing, multi-tasking, and time management skills.
- Proficient with the use of MS Office applications.
- Demonstrated ability to communicate and present effectively to a diverse group of stakeholders and customers.
- Have the ability to work effectively with a diverse workforce.
Job Conditions:
- Ability to effectively read, comprehend, communicate, and respond to instructions, orders, signs, notices, inquiries, etc. in English.
- Be at least eighteen (18) years of age, except if participating in an approved high school internship / co-op program.
- Ability to commute to assigned work locations in the Boston, MA metro area, as required by the role.
- Ability to provide internal and external customers with courteous and professional experiences.
- Ability to work effectively, independently, and as part of a diverse workforce team (or supervise, if required).
- Ability to uphold the rights and interests of the MBTA while building and maintaining effective relationships with employees and co-workers.
- Ability to adhere to rules, regulations, collective bargaining agreements (if applicable), and policies of the MBTA, including the EEO, anti-discrimination, anti-harassment, and anti-retaliation policies.
- Have a satisfactory work record for the two (2) years immediately prior to the closing date of this posting (unless if current student or recent graduate), including overall employment, job performance, discipline, and safety records (infractions and/or offenses occurring after the closing of the posting and before the filling of a vacancy may preclude a candidate from consideration for selection).
- Ability to pass a Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check, comprehensive background screening, and / or medical Clinic screening, potentially including physical examination and drug and alcohol screenings.
- Ability to work all shifts and / or locations assigned, directed, or necessary for this position, including (for some transit / operations roles) up to twenty-four (24) hours per day, seven (7) days per week as necessary to accommodate severe weather conditions, emergencies, or any other circumstances that may potentially impact service or the safety of service.
- Intern / co-op staff must be enrolled full or part-time in an accredited educational program and maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 for the entire duration of the internship / co-op. Additionally, interns / co-ops must have valid work authorization and U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting pre-employment screenings / pre-boarding, working in their positions, and throughout the duration of their program.
- General Disclaimer: The statements contained in this job description are intended to describe a summary, general nature, and complexity of typical job functions and do not represent an exhaustive list of all duties, tasks, and responsibilities required of staff assigned to this position.
- Application Completion: It is each applicant's responsibility to ensure application details are entered completely and correctly, including updated work and education histories (past and current). Incomplete applications may not be considered. Attachments do not substitute for application fields. The recruitment team does not have access to existing employee data / history.
- Application Deadlines: Applicants should apply as soon as possible, as the MBTA may stop considering applicants after a sufficiently large applicant pool is established.
- Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here-in are representative of those an employee may encounter while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations can be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions. See job description for role-specific requirements.
- Work Eligibility: All employees must be legally authorized to work in the United States and on an unrestricted basis. The MBTA does not have an employer work sponsorship program. However, if you have unrestricted work authorization, or are sponsored by a separate entity, you are welcome to apply. Further, all persons hired will require a U.S. Social Security Number prior to starting the position and employees will be required to complete a Form I-9 to verify their identity and eligibility to work in the U.S.
- Interviews: Candidates should ensure they arrive on time, are prepared, can remain for the duration, and if remote, are in a quiet place without distraction, for the interview. Candidates who do not attend their interview without advance authorization, including an email confirmation of a rescheduled time/date from Human Resources, will be considered a no-show and disqualified from consideration for the position. Related to rescheduling, on a one-time basis, and due to something emergent, you may be allowed to reschedule the interview. In addition, Human Resources may require documentation supporting the request. However, should you need to reschedule, you will need to contact your Recruiter directly by email.
- Safety Sensitive Positions: Employees working in this classification will be subject to periodic physical examinations plus random drug and alcohol testing.
- On-call or 24/7 Positions: Employees working in this classification must be available to respond to page / text / call and report to work as determined by assigned department or the Authority.
- Essential / Emergency Staff: During declared "states of emergency," employees working in this classification are required to report to work for their assigned work hours or as directed by management.
- ADA Accommodations: The MBTA makes reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If you require an accommodation during this process, please contact the MBTA's ADA Unit at 617-222-5751 or hradaaa@mbta.com.
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: The MBTA is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. For terms, descriptions, and defi
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