Job Information
NJEDA Senior Counsel Officer in New Jersey
Overview
Job Summary
As part of the Authority’s expanding legal team, the Senior Counsel Officer will support and counsel the Authority’s broad product and program teams, including major capital and infrastructure projects and other economic initiatives. The position will also provide legal advice and analysis to the Authority regarding employment related matters. The position will help to manage legal work streams, including coordinating with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to ensure project/program development and compliance with state law and the Authorities’ policies. The position will also participate in the development, closing, and post-closing phases of the Authority’s products and programs as well as assist the Authority with diverse construction project delivery methods.
Success in this role will require an ability to provide effective counseling across a broad spectrum of legal issues, including contract drafting and review, as well as negotiations with sophisticated Authority counterparties. The position requires the ability to quickly comprehend state law and complex regulatory issues as it relates to labor, construction, employment, real estate/property, and environmental/permitting. An ability to effectively work with outside legal counsel, as well as to work effectively with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and other state entities, is also critical.
$85,680 - $107,100
Note: The NJEDA currently offers a hybrid work schedule for up to 2 days of telecommute work from home. To participate, you will be required to have high speed home internet access and a manager's approval. This program does not supersede the "New Jersey First Act", which requires newly hired NJEDA employees to establish and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provides general legal counsel and support across all departments of the Authority, including real estate, procurement, commercial, and transactional/contract matters;
Works with product and program teams to develop and implement the Authority’s products and programs;
Supports delivery of the Authority’s major capital and infrastructure projects, including but not limited to the New Jersey Wind Port;
Drafts and reviews term sheets, grant agreements, and other contractual documentation as needed by the Authority’s departments and programs;
Provides legal advice and analysis on employment-related matters to the Authority’s Chief Counsel, Chief Executive Officer, or other Executive Committee personnel as needed;
Participates in negotiations on behalf of the Authority with various counterparties, including tenants, contractors, applicants and grantees, and other entities as needed;
Works with the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office and outside legal counsel, helps to manage any legal disputes that may arise with project/program counterparties (e.g., contractors, landlords, and vendors);
Promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer-focused work environment; and
Performs legal research, provides legal analysis and opinions, and monitors and tracks changes in applicable law, ensuring management and staff are informed of relevant changes;
Must complete annual self-assessment as required.
Perform other duties and special projects, as assigned.
Skills and Abilities
A proven ability to research, analyze, and apply complex regulation, laws, and policies;
A proven ability to prepare legal documents, memoranda, and reports;
Capacity to participate in negotiations on behalf of the Authority and State;
A proven ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with project teams and senior leadership, including the Authority’s Board of Directors;
Ability to prioritize workload, must be highly organized, detail-oriented, handle various tasks simultaneously and work independently within limited time constraints with little or no supervision
Must be able to maintain confidentiality and deal effectively and diplomatically with business professionals and Authority staff;
Demonstrates respectful behavior and promotes teamwork and communication to encourage an interactive, cooperative, collaborative and customer focused work environment among division, Authority staff and external customers; and
Proficient in online legal research applications (such as LexisNexis), with the ability to learn new software packages.
NJEDA utilizes Microsoft as the core application platform and proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite is preferred.
Qualifications
Preferred Qualifications
Education and Experience Requirements
Bachelor’s degree with emphasis in legal, business, finance, or business administration, and/or equivalent experience;
Juris Doctor degree from an accredited ABA-approved law school ; and
License to practice law in the State of New Jersey, and in good standing
Seven years minimum of relevant legal experience, whether within a state government setting or private practice.
- Some demonstratable experience in employment law required .
Demonstratable experience in construction project delivery methods a plus.
Advanced degree or industry specific certification may be substituted for 1 year of experience
Physical Demands
Minimal
Ability to work outside normal business hours, as needed
Travel
As necessary to events, meetings, businesses, etc.
Certificates and Licenses Required
License to practice law in the State of New Jersey, and in good standing
License: Staff are required to possess a valid driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle, rather than employee mobility, is necessary to perform the essentials duties of the position
Note
The examples of work for this title are for illustrative purposes only. A particular position using this title may not perform all duties listed in this job description. Conversely, all duties performed on the job may not be listed. This job description is intended to convey information essential to understanding the scope, general nature and level of work performed by job holders within this job. This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of qualifications, skills, efforts, duties, responsibilities or working conditions associated with the position.
Your employment at NJEDA is voluntary and subject to termination by you or NJEDA at will, with or without cause, or with or without notice, at any time. Nothing in this job description shall be interpreted to conflict, eliminate or modify the employment-at-will status of NJEDA employees.
This position is considered exempt and is excluded from minimum wage, overtime regulations, and other rights and protections afforded nonexempt workers under the FLSA.
NJEDA reserves the right to amend/revise this job description as necessary to meet current and changing business needs.
NJ SAME Program
In accordance with P.L. 2021, c. 465 and P.L. 2021, 466, the SAME program was established to enable New Jersey State agencies to hire, promote, retain, and advance qualified individuals whose physical or mental impairments impact their abilities to participate in the hiring and promotion process for non-competitive and unclassified titles within the State workforce.
The SAME program allows candidates, who identify as having a significant disability, to apply for non-competitive and unclassified positions through a fast track hiring process. This program uses a fast-track process that permits people who are eligible for the program to request that the State appointing authority schedule with them a good faith interview. For more information about the SAME program and the Fast Track Hiring program, please Click Here (https://www.nj.gov/csc/same/overview/index.shtml) . if you have any questions, please email, or call the contact as indicated on the job vacancy announcement.
This posting open to eligible applicants regardless of SAME eligibility.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Position Requirements
Foreign degrees/transcripts must be evaluated by a reputable evaluation service at your own expense and must be submitted prior to a start date. If this cannot be provided within 21 days of an offer the offer will be rescinded.
Must comply with the “New Jersey First Act” which requires employees hired after September 1, 2011, to reside in New Jersey. Non-New Jersey resident employees must relocate to New Jersey within one year of their date of hire and provide proof of residency to Human Resources.
Must complete an Outside Activity Questionnaire (disclosure of outside office or employment) on an annual basis.
Must review the required NJ State Ethics Guidelines found on the state website.
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LocationUS-NJ
Job ID 2024-2094
Category/Department Counsel/Governance