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; - Training: The Deputy General Counsel is charged with the task of designing, developing, and implementing internal and external training programs. Internal training initiatives include assisting licensing and BRC staff in acquiring or enhancing necessary job skills, and training all EEC staff on relevant laws, regulations and agency policies, including criminal laws. External training initiatives include training other agencies and providers on agency regulations, policies and goals; - Contracting and Budgeting Review: The Deputy General Counsel provides internal legal support during procurements and contracting processes; - Legislative Support: The Deputy General Counsel, in conjunction with the General Counsel, provides legal analysis on proposed legislation and budget language. _Preferred Qualifications:_ - Current Membership in the Massachusetts Bar; - At least three (3) years of experience in a position of responsibility, within an organization that supports children and families' services in a sizable public agency, or in an agency whose primary focus is in the area of early childhood education and care; - Knowledge of state agency procedures, adoption and foster care placements, residential placement for children, licensing of child care settings and facilities; - Knowledge of purchasing and administering of subsidized child care through grants and contracts, drafting, interpretation and enforcement; - Knowledge of state budget and legislative process; - Knowledge of the needs of the early education and care service population; - Knowledge of the functions of the Department of Early Education and Care; - Ability to set priorities and identify and implement strategies; - Ability to facilitate and support team building activities; - Ability to interpret policies and procedures in response to requests for information; - Ability to interpret the Department's policies and procedures to the legislature, provider agencies, and advocacy groups; - Ability to review and analyze data and research on early education and care trends; - Ability to communicate the Early Education and Care mission and service policy positions; - Ability to interpret statistical data correctly and draw sound conclusions; - Ability to lead and support the development and implementation of program operations priorities; - Ability to anticipate and analyze difficult situations and take appropriate actions; - Ability to work independently and collaboratively; - Ability to communicate effectively in both written and oral presentations; - Ability to mediate conflict, coordinate competing interests, and work under time constraints; - Ability to work with high level state and local officials and other interested parties; - Ability to properly assess the impact of outside forces; - Skilled in problem solving, consensus building, conflict resolution and team building; - Ability to research and draft regulations; - Ability to negotiate. Travel may be required for this position. Questions regarding this position or the application process should be directed to [email protected]. MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least two (2) years must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below. Substitutions: I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience. II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience. III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience. IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience. *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. Job: Legal Services* *Organization: Department of Early Education and Care *Title: *Deputy General Counsel Location: Massachusetts-Boston - 50 Milk St Requisition ID: 250006F3