What are the responsibilities and job description for the Assistant General Counsel position at Department of Developmental Services?
The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is seeking an Assistant General Counsel (Counsel II) for its Central West region based in our Springfield office. This is an excellent opportunity for attorneys looking to take on meaningful, hands on legal work in a collaborative, mission-driven public sector environment. Assistant General Counsels (AGCs) play a key role in advancing DDS ' s mission by providing practical, solutions oriented legal advice on a broad range of matters, including Probate and Family Court proceedings, benefits eligibility, service delivery, privacy and records, protective services, tort liability, and agency regulations and policy. This Counsel II position would provide legal advice and services to agency staff and represent the Department in Probate and Family Courts throughout the state in a variety of matters including petitions for guardianship, substituted judgment and Rogers reviews, and protective services. Counsel would also provide legal advice to General Counsel and agency senior staff on a variety of public law issues; represent the agency in administrative appeals and audits; manage and support agency litigation; respond to requests for public records; and draft regulations, legal memoranda and correspondence as needed.
Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive)
-Provide legal consultation and advice to the Department’s senior managers, Regional and Area Directors, and field staff regarding issues relevant to the administration of a public agency.
-Handle guardianship and protective services cases for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism, and acquired brain injuries.
-Prepare legal memoranda, petitions, motions, reports, opinions, letters, etc.
-Represent the Agency in matters before courts and administrative tribunals; conduct all pre-hearing/trial preparation, discovery, etc., present evidence and oral argument in support of the Department’s position.
-Conduct investigations and participate in informal hearings on matters affecting the Agency.
-Assist the Attorney General’s Office in the preparation of cases in which the Agency is an interested party.
-Exercise direct supervision of paralegal and/or administrative personnel, as assigned.
-Perform other legal tasks as may be assigned from time to time by the General Counsel.
-Travel throughout the state as required.
Required Qualifications:
-Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar or eligible for admission by motion, and at least three years of full-time or equivalent part-time professional experience in the practice of law.
-Excellent oral and written advocacy skills.
-Excellent analytical skills.
-Good judgment.
-Ability to understand and apply the laws, rules, and regulations governing the Department and to explain laws and legal proceedings clearly to both internal and external stakeholders.
-Ability to establish rapport, interact with, and maintain professional working relationships with others.
-Ability to conduct effective oral presentations at hearings, trainings, etc.
-Ability to thoroughly research assigned topics of law and effectively analyze relevant statutory and regulatory provisions.
Preferred Qualifications:
-Experience supervising others, especially direct supervision of lawyer or paralegal.
-Trial experience.
-Significant legal writing experience.
-Experience with guardianship and probate law a plus.
-Public service experience a plus.
About the Department of Developmental Services:
The mission of the Department of Developmental Services (DDS) is to create innovative and genuine opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorder to participate fully and contribute meaningfully to their communities as valued members. DDS serves over 43,000 vulnerable individuals throughout their lifetimes, providing a spectrum of day, employment, and residential supports. The agency directly oversees and manages $3 billion in public funds ($2. 7B operating budget) and approximately 5,500 staff, the largest state employee workforce of any agency in the Massachusetts executive branch of government.
For more information about our agency and programs visit: www.mass.gov/dds
Pay: $92,081.60 - $134,338.36 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Springfield, MA 01105
Salary : $92,082 - $134,338