Assistant Deputy General Counsel

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, service-minded, and experienced legal professional to fill the role of Assistant Deputy General Counsel, who will be responsible for providing coordination and supervision of the legal activities of the Office of the General Counsel in concert with the First Deputy General Counsel and three (3) Deputy General Counsels. The Assistant Deputy General Counsel will supervise Assistant General Counsels in managing litigation activities, provide oversight of agency compliance and revenue maximization activities, as well as perform other related work of the general counsel’s office.

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

• Supervise Assistant General Counsels in framing litigation issues to align with Department policy

• Review appellate briefs and participate in moot court arguments to ensure that appellate briefs and moot court arguments are well reasoned and supported by case law, statutes, regulation and policy

• Liaise with the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) on litigation when the AGO represents the agency, including coordinating discovery and witness preparation

• Provide technical assistance to Regional and Area office staff regarding interpretation and implementation of Massachusetts General Laws, Massachusetts Regulations, and department policy

• Assist with the development and implementation of systems and procedures for effective law office management for Regional legal offices as well as the General Counsel’s office, which includes the development and use of management data reports. Provide in-service instruction on legal issues to Central, Regional and Area Office staff in the areas of child welfare law, privacy, confidentiality, access to records, court rules and procedures, and other related areas

• Provide compliance support for federal and state audits, and oversee paralegals assigned to collect information from the area offices and Juvenile Courts to aid in federal revenue maximization

• Provide support to the Director of the Fair Hearing Unit to review and approve administrative hearing decisions, which represent the final decision of the agency

• Other duties, as assigned

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth and of Federal law governing the functions of the child welfare agency

• Thorough knowledge of the regulations and policy governing DCF

• Ability to interpret and prepare opinions on court decisions, rules, and regulations

  
   

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary; safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dcf