Assistant General Counsel (Hybrid)

Description:

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) seeks Assistant General Counsel (Counsel II position), for its Metro Region, based in our Central Office located in Boston. Opportunity for public service work with well-regarded state agency in hybrid work setting. Assistant general counsels (AGCs) advise DDS on a wide range of matters including
guardianship, conservatorship, benefits eligibility, provision of DDS services, privacy, protective services, torts, and other matters. In addition, AGCs manage a substantial caseload of guardianship cases in Probate and Family Court (including substituted judgment cases) and represent the agency in administrative appeals. AGCs direct regional legal offices and are responsible for managing all legal work and supervising paralegals in their assigned office.

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

• Provides legal consultation and advice to DDS staff on an array of legal issues, including guardianship, conservatorship, protective services, privacy, torts, and other matters.
• Handles cases as assigned. This includes preparation of all pleadings, memoranda, letters, etc., preparing cases for hearing, and representing DDS in court and administrative hearings.
• Manages all the legal work in the regional office and supervises paralegals in the office.
• Organizes office systems to keep track of cases and deadlines, streamline management of work, and maintain records as required.
• Keeps records including office statistics and prepares legal or case memoranda, etc., as required by General Counsel or supervisor.
• Assists the Attorney General's Office in preparing cases in which the Agency is an interested party.
• Performs other legal tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the General Counsel.
• Travels throughout the state as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Commitment to public service and mission of DDS.
• Active member of the Massachusetts Bar or eligible to waive into Massachusetts Bar and at least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in the practice of law or in a position requiring membership in the Bar.
• Ability to interpret legal opinions, laws, court decisions, rules, regulations, proposed legislation, and administrative rulings.
• Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills. Excellent oral and written advocacy skills.
• Detail-oriented and highly organized, with a strong ability to successfully multi-task and prioritize work.
• Capacity to maintain accurate records and exercise discretion in handling confidential information.
• Experience handling court or administrative hearings strongly preferred.
• Possession of current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a Class level specific to assignment.
• Proficient usage of Microsoft Office Products (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience handling court or administrative hearings preferred.
• Proven track record as a team player.
• Prior supervision experience.

• The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 41,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages over $2.74 billion in public funds ($2.44 operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.

Recommended candidates must successfully complete pre-employment screening which includes:

• Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) Abuse Registry Search: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/dppc-abuser-registry
• Criminal background check (CORI) by regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services. http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori
• National Background Checks, Chapter 234 of the Acts of 2014, conduct fingerprint-based check. https://www.mass.gov/lists/dds-fingerprint-background-checks

Education and license/certification information provided 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 ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

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

Qualifications:
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

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 Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

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