Description:
Description:The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced and mission-driven Employment Attorney to join its dynamic legal team. This is an outstanding opportunity for a skilled legal professional to help shape workforce policies and employment practices within one of the Commonwealth's largest and most impactful public health agencies. In this role, you will serve as a trusted advisor to Department leadership, managers, and program staff on a broad range of employment law matters, while helping to ensure compliance with state and federal laws, regulations, and workplace standards. Your work will directly support DPH's mission to promote health equity, strengthen public health systems, and foster a respectful, inclusive, and legally compliant workplace for thousands of employees across the Commonwealth.
As the Department's primary employment law resource, you will manage complex employment litigation, represent DPH before administrative agencies and tribunals, advise on employee relations matters, and provide strategic counsel on workplace policies, investigations, accommodations, discipline, labor relations, and risk management. This position offers the opportunity to collaborate closely with executive leadership, human resources professionals, labor representatives, and program managers on high-impact legal and policy initiatives. The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced environment, possess strong litigation and advisory skills, and enjoy balancing legal strategy with practical problem-solving. In return, DPH offers meaningful public service work, exposure to complex and evolving legal issues, opportunities for professional growth, and the ability to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of communities across Massachusetts.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
Serve as the Department's primary legal advisor on employment law matters, providing counsel on workplace policies, employee relations, accommodations, investigations, discipline, wage and hour compliance, and anti-discrimination requirements.
Represent the Department in administrative proceedings, enforcement actions, and employment-related litigation before agencies and tribunals including MCAD, EEOC, DUA, DALA, and other state and federal forums.
Manage all phases of employment litigation, including case evaluation, legal research, discovery, motion practice, evidentiary review, hearing preparation, and post-hearing submissions.
Draft, review, and negotiate settlement agreements, legal correspondence, enforcement actions, and other legal documents to support Department operations and compliance objectives.
Advise Department leadership, managers, and program staff on legal risk management, employment decisions, litigation strategy, and the development of legally sound policies and procedures.
Assist in the development, interpretation, and implementation of employment-related regulations, policies, and operational practices that align with state and federal legal requirements.
Provide legal guidance and support to assigned Department programs, helping advance agency initiatives while ensuring compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
Coordinate enforcement activities and legal matters with external agencies, law enforcement partners, labor representatives, and other governmental entities as required.
Develop and deliver training programs for managers and staff on employment law, workplace compliance, employee relations, labor issues, and related legal topics.
Serve as the Department's employment law subject matter expert, providing guidance to leadership and staff on complex workplace issues and emerging legal developments.
Supervise and mentor attorneys of a lower grade, support professional development efforts, and ensure compliance with ethical standards and rules of professional responsibility.
Collaborate with Department staff to improve business processes, protect confidential information, support policy development, and promote a professional, respectful, equitable, and non-discriminatory work environment.
Required Qualifications:
General knowledge of the theory, principles, and practices of law, particularly employment law.
Familiarity with the procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
Understanding the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the laws, rules and regulations governing agency operations.
Preferred Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience practicing employment law, including advising organizations on employee relations, workplace investigations, disciplinary actions, accommodations, and compliance matters.
Knowledge of federal and Massachusetts employment laws, regulations, and administrative procedures, including wage and hour, discrimination, leave, and labor relations requirements.
Experience with administrative litigation and representation before agencies such as MCAD, EEOC, DUA, DALA, or comparable hearings.
Proven ability to analyze complex legal issues, assess organizational risk, and develop practical, legally sound recommendations.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to draft legal memoranda, pleadings, settlement agreements, policies, and training materials.
Ability to build collaborative relationships with executives, managers, human resources professionals, labor representatives, and other stakeholders.
Strong understanding of workplace investigations, employee misconduct matters, performance management, and progressive discipline practices.
Experience with legal research, litigation strategy development, discovery management, motion practice, and settlement negotiations.
Capacity to present legal concepts and compliance requirements to diverse audiences through training, consultation, and guidance.
Familiarity with public sector employment practices, collective bargaining environments, government operations, and administrative law principles.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook, SharePoint and Teams.
Please Note: This position is designated as Confidential and as such is excluded from the NAGE Unit 6 Union. Most benefits are governed by the Commonwealth's "Red Book" and dental/vision benefits will be with the Group Insurance Commission.
DPH Mission and Vision:
The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.
We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.
Learn more: www.mass.gov/DPH
Pre-Hire 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 Record 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 regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. 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 Association, and at least (A) six years of full-time, or equivalent part time, professional experience in the practice of law in a specialized area that is relevant to the assigned agency. Based on assignment and supervisory responsibilities, three years in a supervisory capacity may be required.
Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers 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.
