Deputy General Counsel

The Office of General Counsel for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking an experienced attorney to take on an exciting and timely role in the public health field. The Deputy General Counsel will advise the Bureau of Health Care Safety and Quality (BHCSQ) on regulatory, contractual, and compliance matters related to the licensure and oversight of hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other health care facilities and services. The selected candidate will also provide legal advice and guidance on a variety of topics to a team of senior managers and program staff within our mission-driven organization.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all-inclusive):

1. Provide legal services, direction, and guidance to the Department, with a primary focus on the Directors and staff of the BHCSQ.
2. Draft and review legislation and regulations and coordinate, oversee, and assist with special projects.
3. Offer legal advice and direction regarding state ethics law, conflict of interest law, open meeting law, public records law, public record requests, federal/state subpoenas, and court orders for program records and record retention.
4. Coordinate legal support for licensure enforcement activities, including preparation of cases for administrative hearings and related litigation.
5. Partner with counsel and staff of federal agencies and the Office of the Attorney General as needed in connection with regulatory issues and related litigation.
6. Identify potential privacy concerns and confidentiality obligations and safeguard confidential information.
7. Provide effective legal guidance to other DPH staff on the application of privacy rules to confidential information.
8. Consult with DPH Privacy and Data Compliance Office where appropriate.
9. Comply with all state and agency rules of conduct including applicable human resources, ethics, rules of professional responsibility, and DPH standards.
10. Participate in professional development programs to hone professional competence and support the professional development of other DPH counsel.
11. Collaborate with agency staff to identify and articulate policy goals.

Required Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of law including methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
2. Familiarity with state licensure regulations and federal oversight of health care facilities.
3. Ability to express arguments clearly and logically in oral and written forms.
4. Strong interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to effectively oversee multiple projects simultaneously and effectively with diverse groups of people and cross-functional project teams.
5. Capacity to exercise discretion in safeguarding information through compliance with rules of disclosure.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. At least five (5) years of legal experience, including experience in administrative litigation and health law with thorough knowledge of the Massachusetts Administrative Procedures (G.L. c.30A) and the Standard Adjudicatory Rules of Practice and Procedure (801 CMR 1.01 et seq.).
2. Demonstrated understanding and experience in counseling clients, legal research and analysis, oral and written advocacy, and creative problem solving preferably in an in-house or outside counsel to public agencies, private businesses, or other organizations.
3. A solid desire to work in a fast-paced and collaborative legal department and work independently.
4. Aptitude in analyzing, interpreting, applying facts, rules, policies, and decisions while analyzing legal problems and offering legal opinions.
5. Strong critical thinking, problem-solving with the ability to manage relationships both internally and externally.
6. Proficient with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

About the Department of Public Health:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to prevent illness, injury, and premature death, to assure access to high quality public health and health care services, and to promote wellness and health equity for all people in the Commonwealth.

We envision a Commonwealth in which all people enjoy optimal health. Massachusetts ranks among the healthiest of states according to comparative analyses, but we face numerous challenges, including chronic and infectious disease, substance abuse, violence, preventable hospitalizations, and health disparities.

DPH coordinates programs and policies to address specific diseases and conditions and offer services to address the needs of vulnerable populations. We also develop, implement, promote, and enforce regulations and policies to assure that the conditions under which people live are most conducive to health and enable people to make healthy choices for themselves and their families. We license health professionals, healthcare facilities and a variety of businesses that impact public health. We operate the state laboratory and four public health hospitals. We monitor health status and manage vital records including births, marriages, and deaths. We educate people about public health issues and work closely with local boards of health and community partners to identify and solve public health problems.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit http://www.mass.gov/hhs/cori

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.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 Ext. #4

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar and (A) at least three years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid Motor Vehicle Drivers License at a Class level specific to assignment.

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.

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