General Counsel I - Land Use Review Board - Exempt

The Vermont Land Use Review Board seeks a qualified and experienced attorney to serve as General Counsel. This position provides legal advice and representation on a broad range of issues, including litigation, policy development, and compliance with state and federal laws. Reporting directly to the Chair, the General Counsel serves the Board as a whole and plays a key role in guiding its legal, policy, and strategic decisions. Preferred candidates will have a strong background in public sector, environmental, or land use law, and experience in providing legal services to a board or organizational client.

Job Description
The General Counsel manages the legal and enforcement program, ensuring effective strategies for appeals and enforcement actions in the Superior Court Environmental Division. While appearing as counsel of record when necessary, the General Counsel coordinates with two staff attorneys who also represent the Board. This role involves fostering relationships with the Environmental Court, attorneys, and state agencies, and collaborating with the Attorney General's office on Act 250 and administrative matters of statewide significance. The General Counsel ensures all necessary legal services, including contract review and interagency agreements, are provided for the Board's operations.

Providing comprehensive legal counsel to the Board, district commissions, and staff, the General Counsel delivers summaries of appeals with recommended actions, responds to inquiries, and reviews draft decisions and jurisdictional opinions. The role includes researching legal issues related to rulemaking, policy development, and the Act 250 program, as well as guiding responses to public information requests under the Vermont Public Records Act.

The General Counsel collaborates with the Board, executive director, and program staff to ensure policy development is legally sound and aligned with the program mission. This includes creating guidance, rulemaking, and statutory recommendations, along with legislative testimony and interaction with partner agencies.

As supervisor, the General Counsel mentors the legal and enforcement team to achieve high performance and team cohesion, while promoting collaboration with program staff and partner agencies. Additionally, the General Counsel serves as a liaison across state government on legal matters.

This position, General Counsel I - Land Use Review Board - Exempt (Job Requisition #53204), is open to all State employees and external applicants.

If you would like more information about this position, please contact Janet.Hurley@vermont.gov.

Resumes will not be accepted via e-mail. You must apply online to be considered.

Please note that multiple positions in the same work location may be filled from this job posting.

Admission to the Vermont Bar or eligibility for admission by waiver and a minimum of 7 years of progressively responsible legal experience, including significant experience in litigation, legal advising, or policy development.

• Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
• Strong litigation background with experience handling administrative hearings and litigating land use appeals and enforcement matters.
• Proven ability to develop, interpret, and implement policies and procedures in compliance with state and federal law.
• In-depth knowledge of legal issues relevant to public agency and land use law, including Act 250, public records, and risk management.
• Familiarity with Act 181 of 2024.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills, with the ability to provide clear and practical legal guidance to both legal and non-legal audiences.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience, including the ability to lead a legal and enforcement team, collaborate across departments, and support Board decision-making.
• Experience advising or shaping legislative and regulatory initiatives.
• Understanding of the role of an organizational attorney.