Deputy Chief Counsel - Registry of Motor Vehicles (Administrator VIII)

Position Summary

The Deputy Chief Counsel, MassDOT Registry of Motor Vehicles Division (“RMV”), provides management, counsel, representation and supervision of attorneys from the Office of the General Counsel assigned to the RMV. The Deputy Chief Counsel reports directly to the RMV Chief Counsel, and assists the Chief Counsel in providing excellent legal services to the Registrar of Motor Vehicles, RMV senior staff, and its business units. The Deputy Chief Counsel also provides supervision and management of in-house attorneys and works in direct support of the RMV’s safety- and service-oriented strategic initiatives and business goals.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and counsel in support of daily operations and strategic initiatives.
• Develop legal strategies to implement and achieve goals and objectives of the Registrar of Motor Vehicles and the RMV leadership team.
• Provide counsel to ensure the RMV meets its statutory and regulatory obligations under applicable federal and state law.
• Identify and mitigate regulatory and other exposures proactively, articulating options and recommendations with a safety-oriented and business mindset.
• Provide legal review of draft policies, in coordination with the RMV’s Director of Policy & Risk.
• Draft and/or review legislation in coordination with the Corporate & Regulatory Center of Excellence within the Office of the General Counsel.
• Draft regulations and manage the regulatory comment, hearing, and filing process.
• Provide advice and counsel in the areas of federal and state transportation and safety regulations including, but not limited to, motor vehicle licensing and suspensions (including both noncommercial driving privileges and Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) matters), vehicle registration and titling, vehicle safety inspection, school transport vehicle, professional driving schools and school instructors, and various business support units.
• Interpret court decisions and opinions, statutes, rules, and regulations applicable to the RMV.
• Develop processes for educating managers and employees on the legal implications of their actions.
• Supervise attorneys assigned to the RMV, ensuring that each legal matter is handled timely and effectively.
• Review new decisions issued by the Board of Appeal on Motor Vehicle Liability Policies and Bonds.
• Serve as the liaison to the Attorney General’s Office for pending litigation.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate Degree is required.
• Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar with annual certification and registration by the Board of Bar Overseers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in government or within a highly-regulated industry is preferred.
• Interest in public service and government.
• Ability to manage and prioritize a high-volume workload.
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced work environment.
• Ability to manage and mentor legal and support personnel.
• Excellent communication skills.
• Proven problem-solving skills and sound judgment.

Pre-Hire Process  

Upon a conditional offer of employment, applicants must agree to and successfully satisfy: (i) a comprehensive name-based and fingerprint-based background check of his/her state and federal criminal history records information from all U.S. states, the Distr