Associate Counsel - Office of the Commissioner of Probation

Departmental Mission Statement: The Massachusetts Probation Service is at the center in the delivery of justice in the Trial Court through investigations, community supervision of offenders/litigants, diversion of appropriate offenders from institutional sentences, reduction in crime, mediations, service to victims, and the performance of other appropriate community service functions.


ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE:

Notes: This position is designated as a management position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual.

Position Summary: Working within the Legal Unit of the Probation Service Central Office, an Associate Counsel provides legal research and writing, litigation support, special projects management, and legal advice and recommendations under the direction of the Legal Chief of Staff and the Deputy Commissioner - Legal Counsel. An Associate Counsel interacts with and assists in advising Probation field staff, managers, Senior Staff, and Executive Staff members on a wide variety of legal and administrative issues. An Associate Counsel also helps support the Probation Records Unit, the Probation Personnel Unit, and collaborates with Field Services, Program Services, the Office of Community Corrections, and Community Services at Probation. Acting under Probation’s Special Assistant Attorney General (“SAAG”) designation, the Associate Counsel may research, write and argue in court motions, appeals or other pleadings on issues of importance to Probation.

Supervision Received: Work is performed under the direction of the Legal Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner - Legal Counsel.

Duties: Associate Counsel (Legal Unit) Duties


Drafts correspondence or position statements in response to complaints, and researches the answers to questions or requests for information from the public, attorneys, judges, Probation staff, probationers, the media and other agencies;


Makes recommendations to the Legal Chief of Staff and Deputy Commissioner - Legal Counsel.


Works under Probation’s Special Assistant Attorney General (“SAAG”) designation, to research, write and argue in court motions, appeals or other pleadings on issues of importance to Probation;


Provides written summaries of relevant case law for inclusion in the Probation Quarterly Legal Digest or other type of Legal Advisory or directive that may be needed;


Works on special projects and initiatives as assigned, such as indigency verification, confidentiality, records retention, interstate compact issues, records corrections, legislation, research requests, policies, trainings, confidential informant issues, mental health issues;


Acts as professional staff to special advisory committees;


Drafts materials for meetings, prepares reports, and collaborates with committee members as needed;


Performs related duties as required.

Job Competencies:

Ethics and Values Communicates and demonstrates the ethics and values of the Trial Court;



Mission Understands, upholds, and communicates the Trial Court and Probation Services missions;



Applied Knowledge Understanding of legal research, preparing legal memoranda and other documents, contributing to the development and implementation of court rules and policies;



Problem Solving Accurately identifies and addresses legal issues within the department and initiates corrective action;



Continuous Learning Demonstrates a commitment to continuously improve himself or herself through professional development;



Commitment to Diversity Promotes an environment of diversity through understanding, respect, and positive communication with persons of varied racial, ethnic, economic, and cultural backgrounds;



Customer Service Conducts oneself in a courteous and professional manner towards both Trial Court employees and the public. ;



Collaboration Works with others cooperatively, demonstrating a willingness to be a team player, and contributing to a work environment that focuses on shared departmental goals.

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the position of the Associate Counsel (Probation Legal Unit):


A Law Degree and Membership in the Massachusetts Bar;


(2) Two years or more years of legal experience in criminal, civil, Juvenile or Probate and Family Court litigation;


Strong proficiency in online legal research tools and methods, MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel;


Ability to analyze administrative problems, engage in critical legal thinking, and to develop feasible solutions;


Considerable knowledge of the Massachusetts judicial system, the Massachusetts General Laws, court procedures, and the operations of state government;


Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work professionally with probation officers, court officials, judges, attorneys, and the general public, and to maintain effective working relationships;


Ability to collaborate with others and maintain a professional and positive working environment;


Ability to travel to any statewide probation office, courthouse, or the Probation Training Academy in central Massachusetts as needed.


Ability to communicate clearly and effectively both orally and in writing;


Ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis; and


Ability to work independently and to establish work priorities.