Policy and Regulatory Counsel, Central Office

The Department of Youth Services (DYS) is the juvenile justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. We work with young people who are detained or committed and provide detention, custody, diagnosis, education, and support to young people ages 12-21. Most of the youth served are between the ages 14 and 18. The Department promotes positive change for the youth committed to our care, and has been on the forefront of de-institutionalization, in part, by providing adolescent-focused rehabilitation to youth in residential treatment and engaging all young people we serve in strategies that support positive youth development.

There is an opening with the Department of Youth Services for an attorney to serve as the Policy and Regulatory Counsel (Counsel II). The Policy and Regulatory Counsel sits within the General Counsel’s Office and will serve as a member of the DYS Legal Unit, with significant ties to DYS Operations through senior managers and subject matter experts within DYS. The position will focus primarily on establishing and maintaining a comprehensive approach to the development, review, and revision of DYS policies and regulations to ensure effective implementation, dissemination, compliance, and quality assurance. The individual in the position will be responsible for maintaining a strong connection to the DYS Training Academy and senior management to ensure policy and practice are aligned and incorporated across the Commonwealth.

DYS policies describe the rules and practices for the operation of DYS, assign responsibilities and required action, and dispense information needed for employees to carry out their duties across the DYS continuum of care. The Policy and Regulatory Counsel is charged with coordinating the development, review, approval, and dissemination of DYS policy and procedure as prioritized by the Executive Staff. All DYS policies must comply with relevant State and Federal laws and regulations including those for licensing and other applicable requirements.

The Policy and Regulatory Counsel will serve as primary point of development, review, and revision of DYS policies and regulations. This includes establishing and maintaining a comprehensive process through which policies and regulations are regularly reviewed and revised. They are charged with the creation and maintenance of an internal system for managing the dissemination of new and revised policies and work with the Training Academy and senior managers to ensure implementation of any changes and/or revisions throughout DYS. They will be expected to learn agency practice and priorities, research national best practices, and formulate recommendations for additions or changes to existing agency policy. The Policy and Regulatory Counsel must work with other members of the Legal Unit to maintain the official record of DYS policies and procedures in both printed and electronic formats.

The DYS Legal Unit, headed by the General Counsel, is a small unit with wide ranging responsibilities. As such, the duties and responsibilities of this position may include other special projects as assigned by the General Counsel. In addition to the General Counsel, the unit consists of two Assistant General Counsels, the Director of Investigations, three Investigators, two Hearing Officers, two Paralegals, and the Keeper of the Records. The General Counsel also oversees the DYS Training Academy.

This position will work primarily in the DYS Central Office at 600 Washington Street, 4^th Floor in Boston, but may be called upon to travel to other DYS sites throughout the state. Visits to other DYS sites may involve entering a hardware or staff secure residential unit where DYS youth are committed or detained.

Preferred Qualifications:

• At least five (5) years experience practicing law in the public sector, human services, or juvenile justice field.
• Familiarity with government agency processes, including the role of regulations and policies. Experience drafting policies, legislation, or similar regulatory documents.

• Ability to write exceptionally well and communicate effectively.

• Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships with many stakeholders within the agency and externally.

• Ability to establish clear goals, develop plans to achieve them and execute implementation.

• Ability to coordinate the efforts of groups of individuals.

• Ability to conduct legal research, interpret statutes, regulations, and case law.

About the Department of Youth Services:

As the Juvenile Justice agency for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Department of Youth Services promotes positive change in the youth in our care and custody. Our mission is to make communities safer by improving the life outcomes for youth in our care. We achieve our mission through investing in highly qualified staff and a service continuum that engages youth, families, and communities in strategies that support positive youth development. For more information please go to: https://www.mass.gov/orgs/department-of-youth-services.

Pre-Hire Process:

Candidates must pass a pre-employment screening which includes:

· Drug Screening

· Psychological Screening

· Medical Examination

· Physical Abilities Test (PAT)

If you would like more information, please logon to the DYS website www.mass.gov/dys to access detailed information on the Pre-Employment process.

Pre-Offer 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 ADA Reasonable Accommodation Request Form

For questions, please the contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #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!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

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.