What are the responsibilities and job description for the General Counsel position at Northeast Family Services Career Center?
Position: General Counsel (In-House Counsel)
Location: Massachusetts (Admission to the Massachusetts Bar required)
Northeast Family Services is seeking in-house General Counsel to support the agency’s mission and core values!
The General Counsel will provide legal support and guidance on a wide range of labor and employment related issues while contributing to helping maintain a compliant and effective workforce environment within the healthcare sector.
Key Responsibilities:
- Employment Law Support
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Provide legal counsel on a broad spectrum of employment matters including hiring, compensation, wage and hour compliance, benefits, workplace discrimination, harassment, retaliation, performance management, discipline, termination, privacy, and accommodations.
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Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local employment laws – including those specific to Massachusetts.
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Assist in developing, interpreting, and implementing employment-related policies and procedures.
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Support HR with internal employee relations, investigations, conflict resolution, leave management, and disability-related issues.
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- Labor Law Support
- Regulatory Support and Compliance
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Ensure compliance with employment laws such as the FLSA, FMLA, ADA, OSHA, MA Fair Employment Practices ACT, and MA Workers’ Compensation law.
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Draft and review legal documents, reports, and regulatory filings
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Monitor and interpret changes in employment laws, recommending and implementing policy updates as needed
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- Employee Relations and Training
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Collaborate with HR and leadership to resolve employee relations matters and promote a positive workplace culture
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Provide education and training on labor and employment law compliance, internal policies, and investigative processes
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- General Legal Support
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Prepare legal correspondence, notices, subpoenas, administrative filings, and court / arbitration submission.
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Support a range of legal functions to ensure regulatory compliance across the organization.
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Qualifications:
- J.D. (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school.
- Admission to the Massachusetts Bar required.
- 1-3 years of legal experience, ideally within a law firm, healthcare organization, corporation, or government agency setting.
- Experience with a focus on employment law and/or labor law, and employee relations.
- Solid understanding of federal, state, and local employment and labor laws, including Massachusetts-specific regulations.
- General knowledge of procedures before federal and state agencies, including Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD).
- General knowledge of civil litigation procedures.
- Strong written, speaking, and interpersonal communication skills.
- Strong analytical, investigative, and problem-solving abilities.
- Ability to work collaboratively with a variety of stakeholders, including leadership, HR, management, and external partners.
- Experience with HRIS, legal research, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Detail-oriented with a commitment to accuracy and thoroughness.
- Proactive, with strong communication, organizational, and time management skills.
- Maintain confidentiality as required and appropriate.
Benefits:
- Health, dental & vision
- 3 weeks paid vacation
- 11 Paid holidays (including Juneteenth, the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and NY Eve)
- Generous sick time including mental health days
- 401k retirement plan with up to 4% match
- Voluntary life, short, and long-term disability
- Dependent care savings account
- Mileage reimbursement
- Longevity award - Monetary bonus and an additional vacation day annually
- Company provided laptop and cell phone
- Personal cell phone discount of 20%
