Deputy General Counsel

The Education Secretariat 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, where 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 Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) is an Agency within the Education Secretariat and reports to the Board of Early Education and Care. EEC's vision is that children, youth, and families reach their full potential now and in the future. EEC's mission is to, in partnership with families, educators, programs and other stakeholders, use data driven decision-making to inform work around the following objectives: Family Access, Program Stability, Program Quality, Workforce Supports, and Agency Infrastructure. The Department of Early Education and Care is a national leader in helping Massachusetts children and families reach their full potential. The agency’s responsibilities for coordination of services to reach the mission requires that the Deputy General Counsel be knowledgeable about all mandates of all agencies and state and federal laws regarding children and families, not just laws affecting EEC.

Key Responsibilities:

The Deputy General Counsel will report to the General Counsel and will oversee members of the Legal Unit. The selected candidate will be responsible for the following duties:

•                    Provide legal advice to ensure that the agency’s mandates, licensing procedures, child care policies and interagency agreements are operated and executed lawfully;

•                    Background Record Check (BRC) Review and Consultation: In accordance with state and federal law, EEC is responsible for conducting a Background Record Check on individuals working in EEC programs. The Deputy General Counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, has responsibilities for coordinating all appeals and administrative and superior court proceedings related to Background Record Check determinations;

•                    Licensing Review and Consultation: Under M.G.L. c. 15D, EEC licenses approximately 9,600 licensed or approved child care programs, including family child care homes, child care centers, school aged child care programs, residential and placement facilities, and adoption and placement agencies. The Deputy General Counsel assists with providing legal oversight and support to the Department’s Field Operations division;

•                    Financial Assistance Review and Consultation: The Deputy General Counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, is responsible for overseeing the implementation of EEC’s financial assistance regulations, and is the legal point person responsible for ensuring consistent design of EEC’s financial assistance policies and procedures;

•                    Policy Development and Review: The Deputy General Counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, must either decide or advise on questions affecting the agency policy and practices with regard to their legality;

•                    Supervision of the Legal Unit: In conjunction with the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel provides supervision of the legal unit and is responsible for coordination of assigning cases and issues that require legal attention;

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