General Counsel, PST - (210004GW)

Description

The Massachusetts Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission (POST) is an independent agency, with appointees from the Governor and Attorney General, which was established by Chapter 253 of the Acts of 2020.  POST’s role is to create a mandatory certification process for police officers in Massachusetts, as well as processes for decertification, suspension of certification, or reprimand in the event of certain misconduct. POST will also be responsible for investigating and adjudicating claims of misconduct, maintaining databases of training, certification, employment and internal affairs records for all officers, and certifying law enforcement agencies. By creating a central entity to oversee officer certification, POST will ensure that those officers' training and misconduct records are available to the public.

PURPOSE OF THE JOB

To provide day-to-day legal advice, representation and support POST and its staff on a broad range of complex legal, adjudicatory, business, operations and regulatory issues. The General Counsel will supervise and manage POST’s Legal Department and outside counsel.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Managing the activities of the Legal Department, including supervision of any professional, paralegal and support personnel.
• Providing legal advice and counsel to the Executive Director and POST to support daily operations and strategic initiatives.
• Drafting, promulgation, and enforcement of regulations and policies, including regulations and policies relating to the issuing, renewing, denying, conditioning, limiting, suspending, or revoking officer and agency certifications, and assuring compliance with those regulations and policies.
• Ensuring POST and staff compliance with applicable laws, regulations and policies, including laws relating to public records, open meetings, campaign finance, and ethics.
• Remaining current on legal decisions and statutes (both within and outside of Massachusetts) relevant to the work of POST.
• Attending and representing POST at public meetings, hearings and other appearances.
• Supervising employment-related matters; contracts and procurement; potential legal actions by and against POST.
• Assisting the Executive Director in the establishment of employment and administrative policies and procedures.
• Overseeing procurement processes in conjunction with the Executive Director and Chief Financial and Accounting Officer.
• Managing budget and outside counsel engagements.
• Drafting, interpreting and negotiating a wide variety of employment, business and interagency agreements and reviewing contracts and other instruments for execution.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Member in good standing of the Massachusetts Bar.
• A minimum of 10 years of legal experience.
• Developed knowledge of the law enforcement and public safety environment from the perspectives of law enforcement agencies and officers and members of the public involved with law enforcement.
• Experience with adjudicatory proceedings.
• Verifiable management experience, including a minimum of 5 years of supervisory experience.
• Ability to manage and mentor legal and support personnel.
• Experience in building newly created organizations.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, management and communication skills, including strong oral and writing skills.
• Experience in a regulatory agency or other regulatory compliance experience.
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills, and an ability to deal with complex issues, in, at times, an emotionally charged environment.

Salary Range: 

Commensurate with experience.

Benefits Package:

POST is pleased to offer a comprehensive benefits package to its employees. The specific components and eligibility may vary based upon position classification, hours worked per week and other variables. Therefore, specific benefits for this position may be discussed as part of the interview and offer process.

The General Counsel is a management position; as such the successful candidate will be hired as an employee at will. This position is non-civil service. This position is an exempt position.

The overall benefits available include: paid vacation, sick and personal leave time, health, dental and vision insurance through the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance, and optional pre-tax Health Savings Account plans.

In addition, POST provides employees the opportunity to elect life insurance, long term disability insurance, deferred compensation savings, tuition remission and pre-tax commuter account plans, along with other programs.

POST employees also participate in the Commonwealth’s State Retirement Plan, which can become a defined benefit plan for those that both vest and subsequently retire from State service. Follow this link for additional retirement information: http://www.mass.gov/treasury/retirement/state-board-of-retire/.

Commitment to Diversity:

POST is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. POST is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.