Senior Counsel Officer - NJEDA

Overview

Job Summary

As part of the Authority’s expanding legal team, the Senior Counsel Officer will support the delivery of the New Jersey Wind Port, a major Greenfield infrastructure project located in Southern New Jersey, which the Authority’s Infrastructure Division is developing on behalf of the State. The position will also provide legal support and counsel to the Authority’s broader programmatic activities, including other major capital and infrastructure projects and economic initiatives.  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 negotiations towards contractual close with a range of the Authority’s counterparties.

Success in this role will require an ability to provide effective counseling across a broad spectrum of legal issues, as well as representation in negotiations with sophisticated private counterparties. The position requires the ability to quickly comprehend state law and complex regulatory issues as it relates to major infrastructure projects, including areas such as but not limited to labor, construction, 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

• Supports the ongoing development of the New Jersey Wind Port, which the Authority’s Infrastructure Division is delivering on behalf of the State, as well as the Authority’s other major capital and infrastructure projects and economic initiatives;
• Provide general legal advice and support across all departments of the Authority, including real estate, procurement, commercial, and transactional matters; 
• Participates in negotiations on behalf of the Authority with various project counterparties, such as the landowner, prospective port tenants, contractors and other entities as needed;
• Helps to draft terms sheets and contract documentation, such as sublease, development and operator agreements and related supporting documents;
• Provides legal counsel and support related to project procurements, from upfront method selection to document drafting and review, and bid process management. This will require effective communication with the Authority’s Procurement and Infrastructure divisions;

• 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 and semiannual 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 quickly acquire an understanding of offshore wind market dynamics;
• A proven ability to coordinate with the NJ Attorney General’s Office in seeking its review and approval;
• A proven ability to communicate effectively at senior levels, including at a Board level;
• 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 and Westlaw), 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
• Seven years minimum of relevant legal experience, whether within a state government setting or private practice.

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: 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. 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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