Regional Counsel-Central Region

Job Description

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking an experienced legal professional, and member of the Massachusetts Bar Association to fill the role of Regional Counsel. Reporting to the DCF General Counsel the selected candidate will oversee all related legal activities of the region and supervise all regional attorneys.

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

• Coordinate and control the legal activities of Legal Region.

• Oversee and supervise a large litigation caseload in the Juvenile and Probate and Family Court.

• Participate in meetings with the Judiciary and Defense Bar to promote effective working relationships with stakeholders

• Act as the liaison between the areas, the regional and the central office in matters pertaining to legal issues to ensure good communication and collaboration amongst clinical and legal staff

• Act as a Senior Manager of the Department and participate and advise on policy direction and implementation.

• Provide technical assistance to Regional and Area office staff regarding interpretation and implementation of Massachusetts General Laws, Massachusetts Regulations, Department policy and applicable federal law and regulations.

• Develop, establish, and implement system and procedures for effective law office management, including the review of available management reports to ensure the timeliness of court proceedings

• Provide in-service training on legal issues to Regional and Area Office staff in the areas of child welfare law, privacy, confidentiality, access to records, court rules and procedures and related areas.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATION:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth and of Federal laws.

• Ability to supervise the legal operations of a DCF Region utilizing effective law office management principles and techniques.

• Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations governing DCF.

• Ability to supervise the legal activities of staff attorneys.

• Ability to direct legal research and the preparation of reports thereon.

• Ability to direct the preparation and trial of complex court cases; to direct hearings and pass on recommendations thereon; and to confer with judicial officials.

• Ability to file answers, prepare briefs, effect settlement, prepare instrumental documents, and plan Department legal activities.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying.

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-Hire 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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

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

Qualifications

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.

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.