Senior Legal Counsel

DescriptionThe 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. Office of the Child Advocate | Mass.govWorking under the supervision of the OCA’s General Counsel, the Senior Legal Counsel (SLC) provides structured thinking 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. The SLC will support the General Counsel in the management of interagency initiatives and projects. The OCA is seeking an attorney who has competence in issues related to education (particularly special education) to contribute to the OCA’s subject-matter expertise. Additionally, this SLC position will provide support to the OCA’s Center on Child Wellbeing and Trauma (CCWT). CCWT is a unit of the OCA that supports state agencies and their community-based partners in their journey towards becoming trauma-informed and responsive through the creation and delivery of in-person and virtual trainings.Application InstructionsApplications are to be submitted on the Mass Careers website: MassCareers Create a Profile guide | Mass.gov. A cover letter and resume are required parts of the application. Please do not contact the OCA via phone to inquire about the status of your application. If you need any support with submitting your application, please refer to MassCareers Resources | Mass.gov. Review of applicants will start immediately and continue while the position is posted, with first consideration given to those received on or before September 14th, 2026.The OCA is committed to creating and supporting an inclusive work community that is free of all forms of discrimination. The OCA does not tolerate discrimination or harassment on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, parental status, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other basis under Massachusetts law.The OCA encourages applicants from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to apply for positions, including candidates who have personal and/or professional history with the child protective and/or juvenile justice systems. Duties & ResponsibilitiesLegal Strategy: Participate in strategic planning activities and provide thought partnership to the General Counsel, including finalizing goals and activities and effectively implementing them and translating to assigned staff.Legal Consultation & Resolution: Advise OCA staff on Complaint Line calls and other individual case reviews that raise legal issues. Provides legal consultation as well as a structured-thinking approach to OCA project work completed by other OCA divisions.Policy & Contract Analysis and Writing: Draft memorandums of understanding and internal policies.Policy Review and Evaluation: Supports the General Counsel in evaluation of policy and practices of agencies external to the OCA.Project Management: As guided by the General Counsel, manage interagency initiatives and projects through convening and facilitating various groups. Lead and/or execute OCA project work with internal or external-facing deliverables.Individual Case Investigations: Active member of the OCA investigation team, reviewing case-specific confidential information and drafting summaries or reports as necessary.Research: Conducts legal research to support the OCA’s mission and project-based work. Maintains knowledge of relevant legal, policy, and practice changes in the fields relevant to the OCA’s mission.External Representation: As needed, represents OCA at external meetings (e.g. advisory boards, conferences, briefings).Please note that this job requires an individual to work in-person at the OCA’s Boston office 1-2 days per week, and occasionally more often for in-person meetings.QualificationsRequired:A working knowledge of state agencies under the Massachusetts executive branch.Familiarity with child protection, juvenile justice, education, and other child-related fields. Experience with education law is strongly preferred. 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 assignments, complete assignments in a timely and satisfactory manner, and coordinate competing interests to carry out multiple assignments simultaneously while working under time constraints.Ability to work at a high level of productivity, including handling a variety of tasks, and ability to stay on task with frequent interruptions.Ability to work both independently and collaboratively with a team.Excellent interpersonal skills including professionalism, collegiality, ability to take direction, and ability to compromise.Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, Outlook, Word, PowerPoint and other computer software applications.Minimum Entrance Requirements:Juris Doctorate from an accredited school of lawMember in good standing with the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers At least seven (7) years of full time, or equivalent part-time, relevant work experience preferably in an area related to education, state government, government oversight, or child protection.Job Field: UnclassifiedOrganization: Office of the Child AdvocateSchedule: Full-timeShift: Day