General Counsel (Hybrid)

Description:

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education (EOE) works to connect all Massachusetts residents with an education that creates opportunities. While Massachusetts' students rank first in the nation on many educational measures, the Executive Office of Education strives to strengthen the foundations of education reform, empower schools and educators, and develop pathways to college and careers so all students in the Commonwealth can succeed, regardless of their zip code.

The Executive Office of Education (EOE) is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, and collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment where everyone is valued and engaged. We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.   
The Executive Office of Education (EOE) seeks to hire a General Counsel to join its team. The General Counsel serves as a member of Senior Staff to provide legal guidance and support for all matters related to EOE's functions. The General Counsel supports the Secretary of Education and EOE Senior Staff in the development and coordination of education policy, and provides verbal and written legal advice, as necessary. The General Counsel also serves as the primary legal liaison to the Governor's Legal Office and coordinates with legal and policy staff of EOE's agencies: the Department of Early Education and Care, Children's Trust, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Higher Education.

Reporting directly to the Secretary of Education, the General Counsel will participate in negotiating and approving contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding between EOE and other governmental and private entities. The General Counsel serves as the Secretariat's legal representative for disputes or lawsuits, including coordination with the Office of the Attorney General or other investigatory agencies in the event of litigation or an internal investigation. The General Counsel collaborates with the Undersecretary/Chief of Staff to provide input into setting agency priorities and performance strategies and participates in strategy sessions with senior managers.

The General Counsel provides leadership, strategic policy, and operational planning, legal analysis, and quality control to assist EOE and the agencies under EOE's umbrella, in carrying out its legal duties, as well as providing direct legal advice and assistance to Children's Trust.

The General Counsel will provide leadership, high-level legal recommendations, and support to advance the Secretary's strategic initiatives relating to education. Through frequent and direct interaction with the Secretary, Undersecretaries, as well as senior leadership at the Executive Office of Education, the Board of Early Education and Care, the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, the Board of Higher Education, the Children's Trust Board of Directors, Governor's Office, and other agencies, the General Counsel develops, negotiates, communicates, and executes strategies to advance and defend state education policies. The General Counsel serves as chief legal counsel to the Secretary of Education and office personnel, overseeing the legal work of the Executive Office and serving as a thought partner on policy decisions.

Duties and Responsibilities (Not All Inclusive):

• Ensuring EOE's compliance with all statutory and legal obligations, including those related to personnel and procurement.
• Overseeing EOE's response to public records requests.
• Serving as the liaison to the General Counsels of EOE's constituent agencies (the Department of Higher Education, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Department of Early Education and Care), the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel, and the Attorney General's Office.
• Overseeing and coordinating EOE's response to any litigation or other legal or administrative action.
• Serving on various interagency working groups, task forces, and commissions, as designated by the Secretary.
• Provide high-level legal recommendations to the Secretary, Boards, and senior leadership team on matters of education policy, competency determination, procurement and contracts, litigation strategy and management, and legal duties with respect to data privacy and public records.
• Draft and review regulations, legislation, contracts, and other documents that affect the work of the Secretariat and its agencies.
• Review and edit external and internal communications and written materials, including talking points, press statements, op-eds, remarks, and media releases and advisories.
• Research and draft concise legal memoranda on topics of urgent relevance to the Secretariat and its agencies, including tracking and responding to state and federal legal and policy developments that may have an impact on students and families in the Commonwealth.
• Offer legal advice and direction to non-legal staff regarding state ethics law, data security and data privacy, conflict of interest law, and open meeting law.
• Manage the Advisory Council for the Advancement of Representation in Education, including the drafting of the council's final report and the implementation of the recommendations contained in the report.
• Serve as the liaison to General Counsels of all other Secretariats in the Executive Branch, including ANF, most specifically in the budget and legislative exercises process.

• Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar as a member in good standing and eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Understanding of the laws, policies, and procedures of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Experience in education, law, and policy.
• Ability to effectively interpret and apply evolving law to the practices of the Agency
• Knowledge of project management principles and practices.
• Knowledge of organizational development techniques, principles, and methods.
• Ability to set priorities and identify and implement strategies to manage competing assignments.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures in response to requests for information.
• Ability to communicate the Agency's policies and procedures to the legislature, other state agencies, and advocacy groups.
• Ability to review and analyze data and research.
• Ability to anticipate and analyze complex situations, take appropriate actions, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in both written and oral presentations.
• Ability to mediate conflict, coordinate competing interests, and work under time constraints.
• Ability to work with the highest-level state and local officials and other interested parties.
• Skilled in problem-solving, consensus-building, conflict resolution, and team building. 

To Apply
Interested candidates should submit the following for the General Counsel requisition:

• Resume 
• A cover letter outlining your relevant experience and interest in the position 

Questions regarding this position should be directed to Taina.Noelsaint@mass.gov

Qualifications:
Minimum Entrance Requirements:

• Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) 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 three (3) years must have been in a managerial capacity.
• Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines.

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.

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