LHH Recruitment Solutions is searching to fill a Senior Counsel (Contractor) role within a large utilities company. As Counsel, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the Company secures the necessary municipal land use and zoning approvals for complex construction projects throughout New York State. Qualified candidates will have the ability to work remotely to a degree, but will need to be able to commute to one of the principal upstate/downstate NY office locations (Syracuse, Albany, Brooklyn, Long Island) and will be required to travel, as necessary, throughout the NY service territory spanning from Albany to Buffalo and NYC Metro/Long Island. Additionally, this opportunity is approximately one year long and full time.
Key Responsibilities
Ensure Fortune 500 energy corporation obtains required municipal land use and zoning approvals / entitlements / permits for all complex construction projects in New York State, with a majority of projects being sited in upstate New York
Regularly advocating on behalf of clients during public hearings before Planning and Zoning Boards of Appeal, in order to obtain special use permits, variances, site plan approvals, SEQRA negative declarations and subdivision approvals, where applicable
Obtain municipal approvals required to construct complex public utility uses and structures including electric substations, gas regulator stations, electric transmission and distribution lines, battery energy storage systems, electric vehicle charging stations, and solar and wind interconnections
Delegate matters to outside counsel as appropriate and in an efficient manner; manage and challenge outside counsel to deliver meaningful value and excellent service
Advise corporate leadership on how to achieve their business objectives while complying with land use regulations
Draft zoning analyses, written opinion of counsel and memorandum of law after analyzing complex municipal regulations (i.e., New York State Town and Village Law, SEQRA and local zoning codes) and case law, in order to assess a client's likelihood of success for obtaining all necessary permits/zoning approvals
Collaborate with a team of project managers, civil engineers, surveyors, environmental planners and other professional consultants to assist clients through the land use review process
Knowledge and Experience Requirements J.D. and New York State Bar Admission (in good standing)
Familiarity with the concepts of zoning and land use law in New York
Two (2) years of experience representing clients before local zoning and/or planning boards
Organized and project-oriented with the ability to work independently
Ability to manage the ebb and flow of workload on projects that develop at different paces over long timeframes
Strong sense of teamwork and an ability to work effectively on multidisciplinary teams
Ability to establish and maintain strong relationships with legal colleague, with multidisciplinary project team members and with local officials and agents
Strong commitment to safety, advancement of inclusion and diversity principles, and service to customers
Hourly rate for this opportunity is open for discussion.
Benefit offerings include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and 401K plan. Our program provides employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. Available paid leave may include Paid Sick Leave, where required by law; any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law; and Holiday pay upon meeting eligibility criteria.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled. To visit our website or apply to other jobs online, visit https://www.lhh.com/us/en/solutions/recruitment-solutions/.
Pay Details: $80.00 to $125.00 per hour
Search managed by: Aimee Vienneau
Benefit offerings available for our associates include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, additional voluntary benefits, EAP program, commuter benefits and a 401K plan. Our benefit offerings provide employees the flexibility to choose the type of coverage that meets their individual needs. In addition, our associates may be eligible for paid leave including Paid Sick Leave or any other paid leave required by Federal, State, or local law, as well as Holiday pay where applicable.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled
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The Company will consider qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in accordance with federal, state, and local laws and/or security clearance requirements, including, as applicable: The California Fair Chance Act Los Angeles City Fair Chance Ordinance Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance