Deputy General Counsel

Commonwealth of MA - Health & Human Services
Boston, MA
Deputy General Counsel Location Hybrid remote in Boston, MA :

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) seeks a diligent, adept, strategic, and collaborative Deputy General Counsel. DTA implements public assistance programs and provides benefits for thousands of Commonwealth citizens with a focus on helping individuals and families become self-sufficient through work and breaking the cycle of dependency. With your legal experience and commitment to drive change, you can help make an impact and improve the lives of others.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will supervise legal matters relating to litigation, policy and contracts. As Deputy General Counsel, you will supervise a team of attorneys handling class-action litigation, Superior Court litigation, employee misconduct matters, statutory and regulatory review, contract drafting, and public records requests. You will work closely with the Commissioner, General Counsel, and DTA management to assist with DTA program operations, initiatives, project implementation, and policies.

DTA attracts people who are passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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

  • Represent the Department and assist the Attorney General's office in representing the Department in civil litigation. Litigation activities may include court appearances, researching and drafting legal memoranda and other pleadings, and ensuring timely and accurate responses to discovery requests.
  • Draft and monitor the oversight of procurements, contracts, and interagency service agreements.
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws relating to public assistance programs and regularly communicate same to Department staff.
  • Draft proposed legislation and agency regulations.
  • Direct, plan, and support activities of staff attorneys through individual meetings, consultation, editing, and reviewing written documents.
  • As needed, provide support to the General Counsel regarding all program areas and staff direction.
  • Communicate DTA's legal goals and policies with other state agencies, federal oversight agencies, the legislature, the Attorney General's office, and advocacy groups.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the Massachusetts Bar is required.
  • A minimum of five years of legal or management experience, including three years or more in litigation or administrative law.
  • Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, oral and written advocacy, litigation strategy, and developing effective and productive interpersonal relationships.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of specific legal requirements and general principles relating to administrative and constitutional law, public procurements, state finance, and the substantive body of extensive federal and state statutory and regulatory law governing the public assistance programs administered by DTA.
  • Ability to keep apprised of ever-changing legal requirements.
  • Effective management and supervisory skills.

About the Department of Transitional Assistance:

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in six residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications - External

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 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 one (2) years must have been in a 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 or higher 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.

Internal DescriptionDescription - Internal

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) seeks a diligent, adept, strategic, and collaborative Deputy General Counsel. DTA implements public assistance programs and provides benefits for thousands of Commonwealth citizens with a focus on helping individuals and families become self-sufficient through work and breaking the cycle of dependency. With your legal experience and commitment to drive change, you can help make an impact and improve the lives of others.

Reporting to the General Counsel, you will supervise legal matters relating to litigation, policy and contracts. As Deputy General Counsel, you will supervise a team of attorneys handling class-action litigation, Superior Court litigation, employee misconduct matters, statutory and regulatory review, contract drafting, and public records requests. You will work closely with the Commissioner, General Counsel, and DTA management to assist with DTA program operations, initiatives, project implementation, and policies.

DTA attracts people who are passionate about public service, who love to work in a fast-paced environment, and who are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

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

  • Represent the Department and assist the Attorney General's office in representing the Department in civil litigation. Litigation activities may include court appearances, researching and drafting legal memoranda and other pleadings, and ensuring timely and accurate responses to discovery requests.
  • Draft and monitor the oversight of procurements, contracts, and interagency service agreements.
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of federal and state laws relating to public assistance programs and regularly communicate same to Department staff.
  • Draft proposed legislation and agency regulations.
  • Direct, plan, and support activities of staff attorneys through individual meetings, consultation, editing, and reviewing written documents.
  • As needed, provide support to the General Counsel regarding all program areas and staff direction.
  • Communicate DTA's legal goals and policies with other state agencies, federal oversight agencies, the legislature, the Attorney General's office, and advocacy groups.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Juris Doctor (JD) degree and admission to the Massachusetts Bar is required.
  • A minimum of five years of legal or management experience, including three years or more in litigation or administrative law.
  • Demonstrated skills in legal analysis, oral and written advocacy, litigation strategy, and developing effective and productive interpersonal relationships.
  • Comprehensive knowledge of specific legal requirements and general principles relating to administrative and constitutional law, public procurements, state finance, and the substantive body of extensive federal and state statutory and regulatory law governing the public assistance programs administered by DTA.
  • Ability to keep apprised of ever-changing legal requirements.
  • Effective management and supervisory skills.

About the Department of Transitional Assistance:

The Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) assists and empowers low-income individuals and families to meet their basic needs, improve their quality of life, and achieve long-term economic self-sufficiency. DTA serves one in six residents of the Commonwealth with direct economic assistance (cash benefits) and food assistance (SNAP benefits), as well as workforce training opportunities.

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal and tax history background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications - Internal

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 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 one (2) years must have been in a 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 or higher 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 Type: Full-time

Pay: $104,479.00 - $161,458.00 per year

Benefits:

  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Professional development assistance
  • Referral program
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance

Schedule:

  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

Ability to Relocate:

  • Boston, MA 02111: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Boston, MA 02111

Posted 2025-12-12

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