Deputy General Counsel

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Education (EOE) works to connect all Massachusetts residents with an education that creates opportunities. While Massachusetts' students rank first in the nation on many educational measures, the Executive Office of Education strives to strengthen the foundations of education reform, empower schools and educators, and develop pathways to college and careers so all students in the Commonwealth can succeed, regardless of their zip code. EOE works with the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC), Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), Department of Higher Education (DHE), Children’s Trust, and the state's 29 public colleges and universities to coordinate programs and policies across the entire public education system.

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.

EOE is seeking a Deputy General Counsel to work on the legal team for the state’s top education office. The Deputy General Counsel provides legal guidance and support to the Secretary of Education and EOE Senior Staff on a variety of legal issues. The Deputy General Counsel supports the Secretary of Education and EOE Senior Staff in the development and coordination of education policy, and provides verbal and written legal advice, as necessary. The Deputy General Counsel also supports the Governor’s office in education-related policy initiatives. The Deputy General Counsel works closely with the legal teams at the agencies within the Secretariat to advance various aspects of the Healey-Driscoll administration’s education agenda, as well as providing legal guidance and support to Children’s Trust. This person will report to the General Counsel and assist in all aspects of legal affairs. This role involves significant interaction with EOE’s senior leadership team. EOE is looking for a driven attorney, with strong writing skills and a passion for public service, who can multitask and meet deadlines to support the legal needs of the Secretariat.

Primary duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

· Provide legal advice, direction, and guidance to the Secretariat on a broad range of education-related issues

· Provide legal support regarding compliance with all statutory and legal obligations, including those related to personnel and procurement.

· Advise and provide recommendations regarding policy and procedure changes based on current case law and applicable statutory and regulatory framework, and assist the Secretariat in the development, preparation, and review of related policies and procedures, with the ability to communicate clearly the legal implications of policy decisions.

· Draft and review proposed regulations, proposed legislation, budget language, contracts, and other documents that affect the work of the Secretariat and its agencies.

· Assist with litigation strategy, including EOE’s response to any litigation or other legal or administrative action.

· Partner and manage relationships with the Office of the Attorney General, other investigatory agencies, legal counsel at other agencies within the executive branch, and outside counsel.

· In conjunction with the General Counsel, oversee EOE’s response to public records requests.

· Review and edit various external/internal communications and written materials, including talking points, press statements, op-eds, remarks, and media releases and advisories.

· Research and draft concise legal memoranda on topics of urgent relevance to the Secretariat and its agencies, including tracking and responding to state and federal legal and policy developments that may have an impact on students and families in the Commonwealth.

· Offer legal advice and direction to non-legal staff regarding state ethics law, data security and data privacy, conflict of interest law, open meeting law, and public records law.

· Perform other related duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Admitted to the Massachusetts Bar, in good standing, and eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• At least 5 years of relevant legal experience, including counseling clients, legal research and analysis, oral and written advocacy, and creative problem-solving, preferably in an in-house or outside counsel role for public agencies, private businesses, or other organizations.
• Commitment to the Executive Office of Education’s Core Values: Advance Equity and Inclusion, maintain a Holistic Perspective, Embrace Collaboration, Champion Innovation, and Center Fulfillment.
• Experience in education, law, and policy.
• Understanding of the laws, policies, and procedures of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Ability to effectively interpret and apply evolving law to the Agency's practices.
• Ability to set priorities and identify and implement strategies to manage competing assignments.
• Ability to interpret policies and procedures in response to requests for information.
• Ability to review and analyze data and research.
• Ability to anticipate and analyze complex situations, take appropriate actions, and work independently and collaboratively.
• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences in both written and oral presentations.
• Ability to mediate conflict, coordinate competing interests, and work under time constraints.
• Ability to work with the highest-level state and local officials and other interested parties.
• Skilled in problem-solving, consensus-building, and team building.
• A highly motivated team player with a demonstrated ability to present complex material to legal and non-legal audiences.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective collaborative working relationships with agencies within the EOE, other agencies within state government, and community partners.
• Proven ability to work independently in a fast-paced and collaborative team, troubleshooting, developing solutions, and making recommendations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Word, and Outlook.

Please include a cover letter and resume with your online application.

Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be referred to Taina Noelsaint, [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 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 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 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.

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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.