Land Use Review Board Legal Services Specialist

State of Vermont • Calais, VT

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Vermont Land Use Review Board (LURB or the Board) has an immediate opening for Legal Services Specialist to provide office management for the Board and its Legal and enforcement teams.
The LURB is an independent entity in state government that oversees the administration of Act 250, Vermont’s land use and development law. Act 250 was enacted by the Vermont legislature in 1970 to protect the environment in balance with sustainable development. In 2024, Act 250 was amended by Act 181, which seated a new 5-member, full-time professional board to modernize Act 250 to a location-based jurisdiction. The law establishes standards and priorities for environmental and aesthetic protections and is responsible for helping Vermont retain its rural character, preserve the natural environment, and support the state’s environmental diversity - which foster distinctive, attractive communities and a strong sense of place. The Legal Services Specialist reports to the General Counsel, and will work closely with the Legal Team’s three attorneys, the Enforcement Team’s two Enforcement and Compliance officers, the five Board members and other staff at the Board. 

The Legal Services Specialist reports to the General Counsel and will work closely with the General Counsel, Associate General Counsel, staff attorney, the Board, regional district environmental coordinators and technicians, enforcement staff, and other state agencies. Representative responsibilities include administrative coordination of appeals cases and enforcement actions of the Board, including management of legal workflows, databases and records; planning, organizing and convening meetings of the Board and other partners which may include other state agencies, federal, regional or municipal officials and the public; conducting searches and managing documents in response to legal Public Records Act Requests and other requests for information; collaborating with the Information Management Officer and other staff to plan, develop and manage agency website content; and managing and responding to correspondence and performing related administrative tasks.
This dynamic position requires balancing long-term projects with arising issues that require a more immediate response, so candidates must be effective time managers and experienced at balancing multiple projects and shifting priorities. The successful candidate will be a team player with excellent oral and written communication skills who can work effectively with diverse stakeholders, and can reflect and provide recommendations to improve administrative procedures that adapt to management decisions and policies. 
The position is based out of the LURB’s historic office building in Montpelier, with opportunities for telework and hybrid work arrangements within the Governor’s return to office guidelines.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree and two (2) years or more at a professional level in planning, public administration, as a paralegal or legal assistant, or a technical role in a related legal field, or natural resources regulatory role.
• Associate’s degree in paralegal studies OR paralegal certificate AND three (3) years or more of experience as a paralegal, or as a legal assistant.
• Effective time managers and experienced at balancing multiple projects and shifting priorities.
• Team player with excellent oral and written communication skills who can work effectively with diverse stakeholders
• Can reflect and provide recommendations to improve administrative procedures that adapt to management decisions and policies.

Responsibilities

• Administrative coordination of appeals cases and enforcement actions of the Board, including management of legal workflows, databases and records
• Planning, organizing and convening meetings of the Board and other partners which may include other state agencies, federal, regional or municipal officials and the public
• Conducting searches and managing documents in response to legal Public Records Act Requests and other requests for information
• Collaborating with the Information Management Officer and other staff to plan, develop and manage agency website content
• Managing and responding to correspondence and performing related administrative tasks

Benefits

• 80% State paid medical premium and a dental plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Work/Life balance: 11 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• State Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance (FMLI)
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Flexible spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Low cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program
• Qualified Employer for Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level