Commonwealth of Massachusetts

Deputy Regional Counsel - Northern Legal - (250007T1)

Description

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking an experienced legal professional, and Member of the Massachusetts Bar Association to fill the role of Deputy Regional Counsel. Reporting to the DCF Regional Counsel the selected candidate will oversee all related legal activities of the region and supervise Assistant Regional Counsels.

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

• Assist Regional Counsel with coordinating and supervising the legal activities of Legal Region.
• Assist Regional Counsel in assuming the timely completion of trial court and appellate cases, through both direct litigation and supervision of Assistant Regional Counsel.
• Act as the liaison between the areas, the region and central office in matters pertaining to legal issues to ensure effective communication between clinical and legal staff.
• Act as the liaison with Juvenile and Probate and Family Courts as well as the Defense Bar concerning agency litigation and staff.
• Provide technical assistance to Regional and Area office staff regarding interpretation and implementation of Massachusetts General Laws, Massachusetts Regulations, and Department policy.
• Develop, establish, and implement systems and procedures for effective law office management which includes the use of available management reports.
• Provide in-service training on legal issues to Regional and Area Office staff in the areas of child welfare law, privacy, confidentiality, access to records, court rules and procedures, and other related areas.
• Represent the Department in Juvenile, Probate and Superior Court regarding Department records or other litigation matters.
• Provide supervision to the legal staff and assist in framing litigation issues.
• Participate in recruitment and hiring of legal staff.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of the laws of the Commonwealth and of Federal laws.
• Ability to supervise the legal operations of a DCF Region utilizing effective law office management principles and techniques.
• Thorough knowledge of the laws and regulations governing DCF.
• Ability to supervise the legal activities of staff attorneys.
• Ability to direct legal research and the preparation of reports thereon.
• Ability to direct the preparation and trial of complex court cases, direct hearings and pass on recommendations, and to confer with judicial officials.
• Ability to file answers, prepare briefs, effect settlement, prepare instrumental documents, and plan Department legal activities.
• Ability to interact effectively with people.
• Ability to identify and resolve issues as necessary and appropriate.

To Apply:

Please upload both Resume and Cover Letter for this position when applying.

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 are able to 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: www.mass.gov/dcf

Pre-Hire 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 http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

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 Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form.

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

Qualifications

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) 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 (1) year 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 (A) required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the (A) required experience.

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 and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range

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.

Official Title: Program Manager Specialist VI

Primary Location

: United States-Massachusetts-Lawrence - 280 Merrimack St

Job

: Legal Services

Agency

: Department of Children & Families

Schedule

: Full-time

Shift

: Day

Job Posting

: Nov 13, 2025, 4:53:02 PM

Number of Openings

: 1

Salary

: 92,644.84 - 142,610.92 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Jae Beal / (jae.beal2@mass.gov) - 8572837581

Bargaining Unit: M99-Managers (EXE)

Confidential: No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes

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