Assistant General Counsel

Massachusetts Department Of Transitional Assistance; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Massachusetts Department Of Transitional Assistance seeks an Assistant General Counsel to advise agency staff on legal matters and represent DTA in court and administrative hearings.

Ideal candidates will have a JD, MA Bar admission, and at least three years of professional legal experience; bilingual skills are a plus. The role is based in Boston with in-person work required.

Qualifications

• JD required and admission to Massachusetts Bar.
• Minimum of three years of full-time legal practice.
• Experience with administrative and constitutional law is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advises agency staff on privacy, security, and confidentiality issues.
• Assists in public procurements, including advising the selection board on procurement law and drafting RFPs, contracts and interagency agreements.
• Interprets laws, rules, regulations, and opinions related to DTA operations.
• Drafts proposed regulations and legislation for submission to the Legislature.
• Conducts legal research and drafts legal opinions.
• Represents DTA in civil litigation, court, and administrative hearings.
• Liaises with the Office of the Attorney General on major class action litigation.

Skills

Legal research

Writing & briefs

Regulatory compliance

Court appearances

Public procurement

Oral communication

Bilingual/multilingual

Education

Juris Doctor (JD) degree

Job description

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is seeking qualified applicants for the position of Assistant General Counsel. Our ideal candidate will advise agency staff on legal matters and represent DTA in court and at administrative hearings.

DTA attracts people passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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

• Advises agency staff on privacy, security, and confidentiality issues.
• Assists in public procurements, including advising the selection board on procurement law, and reviewing and drafting requests for proposals, agency contracts and interagency agreements.
• Interprets laws, rules, regulations, and quasi-judicial decisions and opinions related to DTA operations.
• Confers with other agency staff in drafting proposed regulations and legislation for submission to the Legislature and analyzes proposed legislation to determine its impact on agency activities.
• Conducts legal research and drafts legal opinions.
• Responds to requests made to DTA pursuant to the Public Records Law and the Fair Information Practices Act.
• Represents and provides legal support to DTA and its personnel in civil litigation, court, administrative hearings, and depositions as assigned.
• Liaises with the Office of the Attorney General on major class action litigation as assigned.
• In-person day in Boston location.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of law including constitutional law and administrative law.
• Knowledge of the procedures followed in courtroom proceedings.
• Knowledge of the methods of technical and general report writing.
• Knowledge of legal research methods and procedures.
• Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
• Ability to read and interpret legal documents such as decisions, briefs, opinions and contracts.
• Ability to understand, apply and explain the provisions of the laws, rules, regulations, procedures, guidelines, and policies governing agency operations and assigned unit activities.
• Ability to analyze and determine the applicability of legal data, to draw conclusions and make appropriate recommendations.
• Ability to write clearly and persuasively.
• Ability to use computer word processing programs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Excellent research, writing, and oral skills, and ability to handle complex legal issues are essential.
• Ability to work well with other attorneys, program administrators, and other staff.
• Knowledge of federal and state welfare programs and administrative law.
• Given the population served, bilingual or multilingual fluency.

Agency Mission:

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) is the state agency responsible for administering public assistance programs to low-income residents of the Commonwealth. DTA is committed to providing a high level of service to all those in need. The mission of the Department is to assist and empower low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one out of every seven people in Massachusetts – including working families, children, elders, and people with disabilities. Our services include food and nutritional assistance, economic assistance, and employment supports.

Learn more about our services and programs. Visit: www.mass.gov/dta

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal 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 a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar, and (A) at least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a Class level specific to assignment.

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.

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.

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 based on 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.