Assistant Deputy General Counsel

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, service-minded, and experienced legal professional to fill the role of Assistant Deputy General Counsel, who will be responsible for providing coordination and supervision of the legal activities of the Office of the General Counsel in concert with the First Deputy General Counsel and three (3) Deputy General Counsels. The Assistant Deputy General Counsel will supervise Assistant General Counsels in managing litigation activities, provide oversight of agency compliance and revenue maximization activities, as well as perform other related work of the general counsel’s office.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

• Supervise Assistant General Counsels in framing litigation issues to align with Department policy

• Review appellate briefs and participate in moot court arguments to ensure that appellate briefs and moot court arguments are well reasoned and supported by case law, statutes, regulation and policy

• Liaise with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on litigation when the AGO represents the agency, including coordinating discovery and witness preparation

• Provide technical assistance to Regional and Area office staff regarding interpretation and implementation of Massachusetts General Laws, Massachusetts Regulations, and department policy

• Assist with the development and implementation of systems and procedures for effective law office management for Regional legal offices as well as the General Counsel’s office, which includes the development and use of management data reports. Provide in-service instruction on legal issues to Central, Regional and Area Office staff in the areas of child welfare law, privacy, confidentiality, access to records, court rules and procedures, and other related areas

• Provide compliance support for federal and state audits, and oversee paralegals assigned to collect information from the area offices and Juvenile Courts to aid in federal revenue maximization

• Provide support to the Director of the Fair Hearing Unit to review and approve administrative hearing decisions, which represent the final decision of the agency

• Other duties, as assigned

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth and of Federal law governing the functions of the child welfare agency

• Thorough knowledge of the regulations and policy governing DCF

• Ability to interpret and prepare opinions on court decisions, rules, and regulations

  
   

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary; safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori 

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. 

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website. 

ADA Reasonable Accommodation: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact us at: EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4. 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty (i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess current license and/or registration requirements established for the performance of the position, of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

Substitutions: 

I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

II. A Bachelor’s degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

III. A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Based on assignment, possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator's License may be required. 

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer.  Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law.  Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements.  We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.