Counsel I - Western Legal

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a dynamic, service-minded legal professional to fill the role of Counsel I.

The selected candidate must be a member of the Massachusetts Bar Association and will represent DCF in Juvenile and Probate Court, in custody, termination of parental rights, guardianship, and adoption cases.

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

• Interpret laws, court decisions and opinions, rules, and regulations applicable to the agency.
• Prepare and litigate custody, termination of parental rights, and guardianship court cases.
• Prepare petitions, affidavits, memoranda of law, discovery motions, findings of fact, and other legal documents for agency court-involved cases.
• Prepare opinions and advise clinical agency staff on legal procedures and requirements for agency cases that are pending in the courts.
• Conduct training of agency staff on legal issues about agency work, litigation processes, changes to law, regulation, or policy, or other topics as needed.
• Assist in preparing appellate briefs, orders, opinions, rules, and regulations related to the administration and enforcement of laws within the jurisdiction of the agency.

TO APPLY:

Please upload both your Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants who apply within the first 14 days.

About the Department of Children and Families:

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they can grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by: stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and, when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship, or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child-driven, 2) family-centered, 3) community-focused, 4) strength-based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competency, and 6) committed to continuous learning.

For more information about our agency and programs, visit:

Pre-Offer Process:

A criminal 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 First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and some experience in legal research, legal writing, and legal procedures and processes.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License at a Class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement. It will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

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.

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Jae Beal ([email protected]) - 8572837581

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $77,289.16 - $113,024.34 per year

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Holyoke, MA 01040