Job Description
About the OCA
The Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) is an independent executive branch agency with oversight and ombudsperson responsibilities, established by the Massachusetts Legislature in 2008. The OCA's mission is to ensure that children receive appropriate, timely and quality state services, with a particular focus on ensuring that the Commonwealth's most vulnerable and at-risk children can thrive. Through collaboration with public and private stakeholders, the OCA identifies gaps in state services and recommends improvements in policy, practice, regulation and/or law. The OCA also serves as a resource for families who are receiving, or are eligible to receive, services from the Commonwealth.
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Office of the Child Advocate | Mass.gov
Commitment to Diversity
The OCA actively seeks to increase the diversity of its workforce and is interested in candidates whose experiences, skills, and qualifications support an ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Applicants are invited to include a statement within their cover letter describing how diversity, equity, and inclusion factor into the candidate's work and/or life experiences.
The OCA values diverse perspectives, including candidates with lived experience in the child protective and/or juvenile justice systems.
Purpose of the Job
Working under the supervision of the OCA's General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel (SLC) provides support on legal and policy issues arising from the execution of the OCA's mission. The SLC provides consultation to OCA staff on matters related to the OCA's oversight responsibilities as well as consultation on issues brought to the agency's attention via the Complaint Line. The SLC is responsible for drafting interagency memorandums of understanding as well as internal policies. The SLC will conduct legal research for OCA projects and investigations. The SLC will support the OCA investigation team by reviewing case specific confidential information and drafting summaries or reports as necessary. The SLC will support the General Counsel in the management of interagency initiatives and projects.
The ideal candidate for this position is motivated by the opportunity to work for the betterment of children of the Commonwealth and has experience working in a Massachusetts state agency. The ideal candidate has a patient and measured approach to work, a structured approach to issue identification and problem solving, a strong commitment to public service, and a good sense of humor.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities
- Advise OCA staff on Complaint Line calls and other individual case reviews that raise legal issues.
- Draft memorandums of understanding and internal policies.
- Supports the General Counsel in evaluation of policy and practices of agencies external to the OCA.
- Supports the General Counsel in the management of interagency initiatives and projects.
- Supports and/or leads OCA project work with internal or external-facing deliverables.
- Provides legal consultation as well as a structured-thinking approach to OCA project work completed by other OCA divisions.
- Conducts legal research to support the OCA's mission and project-based-work.
- Provides support to the OCA investigation team by reviewing case specific confidential information and drafting summaries or reports as necessary.
- Maintains knowledge of relevant legal, policy, and practice changes in the fields relevant to the OCA's mission.
- Performs other duties as assigned including duties that the SLC identifies as priorities.
Qualifications
- Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law and member in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar.
- Five years' relevant work experience preferably in an area related to state government, government oversight, child protection, or education. A graduate degree or higher (in addition to the required J.D.) in a related field may be substituted for one year of relevant work experience.
- A working knowledge of state agencies under the Massachusetts executive branch.
- Familiarity with child protection, juvenile justice, education, and other child-related fields.
- Ability to conduct comprehensive legal research, ability to analyze legal precedent and apply it to factual circumstances.
- Ability to present clear, concise, and cogent legal arguments and analysis.
- Ability to exercise the utmost discretion in handling confidential information.
- Ability to independently determine specific tasks needed to accomplish an assignment, to prioritize work, complete assignments in a timely and satisfactory manner, coordinate competing interests to carry out multiple assignments simultaneously while working under time constraints.
- Excellent interpersonal skills including professionalism, collegiality, ability to take direction, and ability to compromise.
- Knowledge of Massachusetts child-serving agencies and organizations.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and other computer software applications.
Minimum Entry Requirements
Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of law
Member in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar Association.
Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full time, or equivalent part-time, relevant work experience preferably in an area related to state government, government oversight, child protection, or education, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.
Substitution(s)
A graduate degree or higher (in addition to the required J.D.) in a related field may be substituted for one year of relevant work experience.
Application process
Please note that a cover letter and resume are required pieces of the application process.
Review of applications will start immediately and continue while the position is posted
First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
All information on candidates will be kept confidential.
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!
OCA employees also participate in the Commonwealth's State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service. Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/ .