Assistant General Counsel

The mission of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) is to work in partnership with communities to protect and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, especially those impacted by racism and systemic inequities. The BPHC sets an expectation that all staff and leadership commit, individually and as part of the BPHC team, to hold ourselves accountable to establishing a culture of anti-racism and advance racial equity and justice through each of our bureaus, programs, and offices.

Job Description

This position requires an attorney to review and negotiate government contracts, respond to public records, advise on ethics questions, and handle open meeting law issues. This is not a litigation position, although support of other counsel handling litigation matters, and internal investigations may be required from time to time.

Essential Job Functions

• Review and negotiate all BPHC contracts, memoranda of agreement, license agreements, construction contracts, and other related legal agreements.
• Review and advise on Massachusetts construction law MGL c. 149.
• Serve as the Records Access Officer for BPHC, coordinate internally and externally and respond to public records requests in accordance with the Massachusetts Public Records Law.
• Supervise and manage BPHC’s outside counsel on BPHC employees’ immigration or other contract related matters.
• Assist management staff in the development and drafting of BPHC policies, and procedures.
• Research and draft memoranda regarding legal issues relating to the BPHC and its employees.
• Review ethics and open meeting law issues as assigned.
• Support other BPHC counsel with litigation and internal investigations as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Skill in organizing.
• Experience answering various types of requests, e.g. interrogatories, general public questions, etc.
• Skill in using computers, familiarity with AI and understanding the limitations of these tools, and software related to job duties.
• Skill in conducting research using Westlaw and Internet searches.
• Skill in legal writing, including creating legal documents.
• Ability to effectively communicate on legal and nonlegal issues with individuals (lawyers and nonlawyers) intra-agency within BPHC and inter-agency across the City and state.
• Ability to use independent judgment and discretion to make decisions.
• Ability to approach and address problems with an equity lens
• Knowledge of or willingness to learn about the role of public health in addressing racism, the social determinants of health, and inequities in health outcomes as well as strategies to advance racial justice and health equity.
• Ability to work well with people and be part of a close-knit team
• Willingness to have a diverse set of responsibilities and learn varied areas of law and public policy.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential job functions satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the primary job functions herein described. Since every duty associated with this position may not be described herein, employees may be required to perform duties not specifically spelled out in the job description, but which may be reasonably considered to be incidental in the performing of their duties just as though they were actually written out in this job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience

Juris Doctorate and at least two (2) to three (3) years of related work experience with one (1) year general legal experience in related job duties, preferably with another governmental agency or a law firm performing municipal work.

Special Qualifications / Licenses / Certifications (if applicable)

Requires good standing as a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Additional Information

• City of Boston residency is required; Allston, Back Bay, Bay Village, Beacon Hill, Brighton, Charlestown, Chinatown, Dorchester, Downtown, East Boston, Fenway-Kenmore, Hyde Park, Jamaica Plain, Mattapan, Mid-Dorchester, Mission Hill, North End, Roslindale, Roxbury, South Boston, South End, West End, West Roxbury, Wharf district.
• A Criminal Offenders Records Information request must be completed for this position. However, a record is not an automatic bar to employment but is reviewed in relation to the job applied for.
• Certain immunizations will be recommended and/or required prior to commencement of employment duties.
• Any position that requires an advanced degree will be subject to education verification.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may be Grant Funded.
• The Boston Public Health Commission is an EEO Employer and all applicants meeting the minimum requirements are eligible to apply.
• Certain positions at the BPHC may require Child Protective Service Background verification.
• The advertised shift and schedule are subject to change at the department's discretion.

Shift

Monday to Friday 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

This position is not dependent on grants / external funding sources.