Deputy General Counsel

Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is seeking a Deputy General Counsel/M7 in the Office of the General Counsel!

AGENCY MISSION:

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is charged with creating more homes in Massachusetts and lowering housing costs for residents.


Formerly known as the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), EOHLC works with municipalities, local housing authorities, non-profit organizations, and development partners to provide affordable housing options, financial assistance, and other support to Massachusetts communities.


OVERVIEW OF ROLE:

The Deputy General Counsel, under the general supervision of the General Counsel, provides supervision to attorneys, paralegals and administrative staff of the Office of General Counsel; provides agency-wide legal support on a variety of issues, develops agency policies and procedures; reviews and analyzes regulations, legislation, policies and procedures; coordinates responses to public record requests; and assists the General Counsel in supporting EOHLC divisions and executive staff. The Deputy General Counsel also provides supervision of special projects that may interface with interagency and public stakeholders to ensure that the Office of General Counsel is effectively supporting the legal needs of EOHLC. The Deputy General Counsel will be expected to regularly interact with EOHLC's senior staff, Executive Office of Administration and Finance (A&F), and the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):


1. Legal Assistance and Guidance:

• Provide agency-wide guidance on legal and policy issues, including development of policies and procedures, the budget process, and advice on specific programs and projects.

• Draft regulations, legal policies, procedures, forms, and notices for the agency.


2. Research and Review:

• Conduct legal research and draft memoranda of law and review documents.


3. Fiscal Controls and Compliance:

• Support agency-wide policies and procedures relating to compliance issues, including state and federal procurement, program administration and financial controls.

• Coordinate with Operational Services Division (OSD) and EOHLC's procurement officer(s), Internal Controls Officer, and outside auditors and regulatory authorities.

• Review procurement documents prepared by various EOHLC divisions including Request for Reponses (RFRs), due diligence postings and justifications for contracts.


4. Supervision:

• Provide supervision to attorneys, paralegals, administrative staff and other personnel, as needed and assigned, to ensure adherence to best practices and the successful, timely completion of all assignments.

• Assign work, provide guidance and feedback related to policy direction, and review performance for accuracy and conformance to laws, regulations, policies and Secretariat procedures.

• Provide functional direction to legal staff and executive personnel, including coordinating public record requests through internal review process and final review by the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel and Governor's Communications team.


PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. A Juris Doctorate, a current license to practice law in Massachusetts and a member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar.

2. At least 5 years' experience practicing law with a concentration in complex transactional work. Experience in affordable housing programs, land use (zoning/permitting), government administration and/or procurement and contracting is strongly preferred.

3. At least 3 years of progressively responsible experience in managing or overseeing staff.

4. Firm willingness and ability to exercise initiative and respond rapidly and responsibly to unanticipated events, issues and inquiries.

5. Skillful in drafting and negotiating complex agreements.

6. Excellent in analyzing and interpreting statutes, regulations, and administrative guidance.

7. Excellent analytical and pro-active problem solving skills, including creative and thoughtful approach to problem-solving, consensus building, and conflict resolution.

8. Knowledge of federal/state laws, rules, regulations, policies, and procedures relating to affordable housing and/or land use and/or procurement and contracting.

9. Demonstrated ability to independently determine tasks needed to accomplish an assignment and prioritize work; complete assignments in a timely, detail-oriented and thorough manner; coordinate competing interests to carry out multiple assignments simultaneously while working under time constraints.

10. Demonstrated experience fostering and leading collaborative working relationships and effectively communicating in written and oral expression.


COMMENTS:

Please upload resume and cover letter.


This position would be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.


Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division's Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.


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.


PRE-OFFER PROCESS:

A background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

Qualifications:
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:


Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) 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 two (2) years 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 or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.


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


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.