Counsel - Southern Region

Counsel I - Southern Region (250008AQ)

Department of Revenue / Child Support Services Division – Litigation Team, Southern Region office located in Taunton.

The Department of Revenue’s core mission is to collect the revenues required to support the business of the Commonwealth, enhance the well‑being of children by partnering with parents and caregivers to meet the financial needs of the family, and assist Massachusetts cities and towns in sound and efficient fiscal management. Our vision is to conduct our operations in a manner that inspires public confidence in government by administering and enforcing tax, child support and municipal finance laws in ways that are innovative, customer‑focused and transparent.

The mission of the Department of Revenue’s Child Support Services Division is to enhance the well‑being of children by partnering with parents and caregivers to meet the financial needs of the family. Effective child support services are an essential part of the larger effort by the Commonwealth and the federal government to promote families’ economic self‑sufficiency. DOR/CSS’s core functions are to establish parentage, and establish, enforce and modify child support and health insurance orders.

Much of our success depends on collaborations with a wide variety of state agencies and private entities.

• Assess, draft, and file legal pleadings in various divisions of the Probate and Family Court Department.
• Manage a high‑volume litigation caseload to support the financial needs of the family and to ensure compliance with statutory and procedural requirements, state and federal timelines for health insurance, and agency policies and procedures.
• Prepare for virtual case conferencing sessions and/or virtual court hearings: including conferring with regional staff to obtain necessary case information and documents; perform necessary legal research and analysis; prepare case summaries; and organize case information.
• Appear at virtual case conferencing sessions and/or virtual court hearingsto establish legal paternity; establish, modify and enforce orders for child support and health insurance; and address customer issues.
• Review case inventory on a regular and consistent basis to control inventory and minimize backlogs; and refer cases to appropriate regional staff when legal action is not pursuable.
• Report to supervisor concerning backlogs, including identifying problem cases, proposed solutions; and developing strategies to eliminate backlogs.
• Update CSS’s case management system (COMETS HD) and other case tracking systems with actions taken.
• Advocate DOR’s interests in a legally sound manner by correctly interpreting and applying state and federal laws, statutes and regulations regarding child support services, and agency policies.
• Determine the best means to inform customers concerning what actions the agency will or will not take on their cases, risks (including physical or emotional risks related to domestic violence/family safety), time frames, and what actions the customer needs to take to cooperate with the agency.
• Identify means to resolve disputes between customers and the agency.
• Serve as in‑house CSS counsel by responding to inquiries from internal and external CSS customers, including, but not limited to, providing legal case consultation to CSS managers and staff; informing judges, private counsel, and other customers of DOR policy and procedures; and delivering quality legal services to CSS litigants.
• Treat litigants with dignity and respect at all times; and handle confrontation in a professional manner.
• Promote and foster a positive image of the agency and its representatives.
• Participate in training and professional development opportunities.
• Participate in state‑wide work groups and special projects.

• Member in good standing with the Massachusetts Bar.
• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of law.
• Knowledge of procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
• Experience in family law/domestic relations.
• Knowledge of the methods and ability to conduct legal research and write reports.
• Ability to read and interpret legal…