Associate General Counsel

The Education Secretariat is committed to equity and valuing the unique and diverse characteristics and experiences of every member of its workforce. We encourage an authentic workplace where colleagues show up as their full selves, where collaboration, innovation, and connections are key to realizing our mission that all children, youth, and families thrive socially, academically, and economically. We seek teammates who are committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment, where everyone is valued and engaged.

We encourage you to apply and identify your strengths in these areas.

About the Role

The Legal Office of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) advises the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), Commissioner, and DESE staff on issues of education law, policy, and administration; works with the Attorney General’s Office on litigation; and oversees the Office of Professional Practice Investigations. The Legal Office works together with all policy units to implement DESE’s Educational Vision https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).

which provides:

Our educational vision document describes the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education’s aspiration – our vision – for elementary and secondary public education and adult basic education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This vision is anchored in our commitment to high-quality teaching and learning in the Commonwealth. We will continue to work with districts, schools, and educators to promote teaching and learning that is antiracist, inclusive, multilingual, and multicultural;

that values and affirms each and every student and their families; and that creates equitable opportunities and experiences for all students, particularly those who have been historically underserved.

The work of the Associate General Counsel in the Legal Office involves administrative law practice including legal research and writing; client counseling; problem solving; negotiation; public speaking and training; drafting regulations, legislation, and advisory opinions;

preparing for and representing DESE at administrative adjudicatory hearings; drafting and reviewing contracts and interagency agreements; and collaborating with the Attorney General's Office on litigation. The Associate General Counsel in this position will focus primarily on laws and regulations relating to education of students with disabilities.

The Associate General Counsel reports to a Deputy General Counsel and works closely with other colleagues in the Legal Office.

The selected candidate will perform the following duties:

• Provide legal advice to the Commissioner, BESE, and DESE administrators and staff in connection with implementing and enforcing state and federal laws governing public elementary, secondary, career-technical, and adult basic education programs;
• Analyze legal requirements relating to special education and other regulated programs and provide legal counsel to DESE’s offices of Special Education Planning and Policy, Problem Resolution System, Special Education in Institutional Settings, Approved Special Education Schools, and Public School Monitoring;
• Represent DESE before the Bureau of Special Education Appeals;
• Analyze legal requirements and provide legal counsel relating to other education-related laws, including but not limited to state and federal laws concerning homeless students, students in foster care, and LEA assignment issues;
• Analyze legal requirements and provide legal counsel relating to public records, data-sharing and privacy;
• Draft, review, analyze, and interpret documents including legislation, regulations, contracts, inter-agency agreements, and advisory opinions;
• Prepare written and oral…