General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer

Job description: General Counsel/Chief Legal Officer

The Legal Office of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) advises the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Commissioner, and DESE staff on issues of education law, policy, and administration; works with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation; and oversees the Office of Professional Practice Investigations.  The Legal Office works together with all policy units to implement DESE’s Educational Vision (https://www.doe.mass.edu/commissioner/vision/), which provides:

Our educational vision document describes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s aspiration – our vision – for elementary and secondary public education and adult basic education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This vision is anchored in our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning in the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with districts, schools, and educators to promote teaching and learning that is antiracist, inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural; that values and affirms each and every student and their families; and that creates equitable opportunities and experiences for all students, particularly those who have been historically underserved.

The General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer for DESE and reports directly to the Commissioner.

Key responsibilities include:

• serve as a member of the Commissioner’s executive team and cabinet;
• provide timely, strategic legal advice to the Commissioner, BESE, and senior DESE administrators;
• advise DESE on matters relating to state and federal laws governing public elementary, secondary, career-technical, and adult basic education programs;
• lead, manage and mentor the attorneys and administrative staff in the Legal Office, including the Office of Professional Practices Investigations;
• oversee the Legal Office, including budgetary matters and reporting obligations;
• develop sound legal strategies to support the policy objectives of the Commissioner and BESE;
• draft and review recommendations concerning legislation, regulations, budget documents, contracts and other documents;
• prepare legal memoranda and advisory opinions as needed;
• communicate and coordinate with officials of other state and federal agencies, school and district leaders, and other constituents regarding education laws and policies;
• advise the Commissioner and senior administrators on employment law matters, including handling matters on behalf of DESE before administrative agencies;
• advise the Commissioner and BESE on Open Meeting Law issues;
• work in collaboration with the Attorney General’s Office in representing the Commissioner, DESE and BESE in litigation;
• represent DESE in interagency meetings; and
• perform other duties as assigned by the Commissioner.
• Based on assignment, travel may be required.

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

Questions regarding this posting or the application process should be referred to Maureen O’Brien at  Maureen.t.o’brien@mass.gov or 781-338-6107.

Preferred Qualifications:

• admitted to the Massachusetts Bar as a member in good standing and eligible to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts;
• 5 or more years of experience practicing law or in a position requiring membership in the Bar;
• excellent analytical, legal research, and writing skills;
• respect for diversity and awareness of cultural competency;
• exemplary ethical standards;
• familiarity with state and federal education laws and employment laws;
• successful experience with administrative adjudicatory hearings and litigation, including negotiating resolution when appropriate;
• strong interpersonal skills, including ability to establish rapport, motivate, and maintain positive and productive relationships with colleagues and clients from diverse backgrounds;
• strong supervisory skills;
• ability to understand, apply, and explain laws, regulations, policies, procedures, standards, and guidelines governing education programs;
• ability to process and assimilate detailed information presented orally or in writing;
• ability to exercise sound judgment;
• excellent communication skills, orally and in writing, including ability to write and present clear, appropriately detailed memoranda and documentation as required;
• ability to strategize and work with others to solve problems;
• ability to handle matters with mature judgment and discretion;
• strong organizational skills, including ability to manage complex tasks and meet deadlines;
• ability to work with confidential information and maintain the highest level of confidentiality;
• ability to effectively manage a varied workload while balancing multiple and competing priorities;
• knowledge of the organization and structures of public schools and districts;
• knowledge of DESE’s Educational Vision; and
• strong computer skills and fluency with Microsoft Word.