Official Title: Counsel II
Functional Title: Counsel II
Primary Location: United States-Massachusetts-Boston-100 Cambridge Street
Job: Legal Services
Agency: Department of Housing & Community Development
Schedule: Full-time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Jan 4, 2022, 11:06:50 AM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: $76,360.44 - $110,341.66 Yearly
Bargaining Unit: 06-NAGE - Professional Admin.
Confidential: No
Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is within Housing and Economic Development Secretariat and its work touches the lives of all Massachusetts residents. DHCD's mission is to strengthen cities, towns and neighborhoods to enhance the quality of life of Massachusetts residents by providing leadership, professional assistance and financial resources to promote safe, decent affordable housing opportunities, economic vitality of communities and sound municipal management.
The Counsel II is a position within DHCD’s Legal Division which is comprised of 25 staff members. The Counsel II provides legal services and support to DHCD staff, to the Attorney General’s office, and to local officials, with a primary focus on housing development and land use law.
The ideal candidate possesses exceptional analytical and communication skills, takes initiative, and has demonstrated ability managing and prioritizing multiple assignments and meeting tight deadlines. The incumbent has excellent writing, legal research, and advocacy skills, with good judgment in making decisions and offering advice. The ideal candidate has knowledge of land use programs including M.G.L. Chapter 40B and Chapter 40R; Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) or federal grant funding compliance requirements; community development, housing and rental assistance programs; and administrative procedures relating to adjudicatory hearings, deliberations and regulations. Lastly, the incumbent has demonstrated proficiency using Microsoft (MS) Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):
- Provides written and oral legal advice concerning federal, state and local law, regulations, guidelines and DHCD policy to DHCD staff, with a focus on housing development, land use law, and affordable housing.
- Drafts and reviews legal documents, regulations and policy guidance related to Chapter 40B, the Local Initiative Program (LIP), Local Action Unit Program (LAU), Homeownership Opportunity Program (HOP), HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and other housing development programs.
- Provides written and oral legal advice to the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program, including advice on federal compliance.
- Acts as liaison to the Office of the Attorney General in litigation involving DHCD, preparing documents as necessary.
- Works with the Office of the Attorney General to protect units subject to foreclosure and auction actions.
- Development of program and policy guidance for new initiatives, as needed.
- Works directly with, and supervises Counsel I working with HOP/LIP purchaser’s and seller’s loan closing attorneys on the sale and resale processes, as needed.
- Prepares sale, resale, and refinance legal documents and reviews draft documents prepared by staff for homeownership programs, including LIP/HOP.
- Reviews LIP regulatory agreements and develops template regulatory agreements for DHCD’s LIP program.
- Drafts and reviews a variety of other legal and administrative documents relative to land use law and programs administered by DHCD including but not limited to housing development and rental assistance programs, and M.G.L. Chapter 40B.
- Drafts and reviews rules, regulations, guidelines, legal opinions and legislation regarding programs administered by DHCD, particularly housing development and rental assistance programs, and M.G.L. Chapter 40B.
- Participates in training sessions for DHCD staff, recipients of DHCD assistance and local officials and represents DHCD in speaking engagements and panels.
- Participates in inter-agency working groups and negotiations.
- Supervises legal interns and Counsel I as needed.
- As necessary, assists program staff with various miscellaneous tasks, such as scheduling, maintenance of dockets and files, preparation of Record on Appeal for the Office of the Attorney General.
- As necessary, responds to requests for information and public records.
- Performs other duties as needed.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Strong academic credentials.
- Good judgment in making decisions and offering advice.
- Ability to read and comprehend statutes and regulations and to draft new regulations and amendments to existing regulations.
- Ability to research applicable law, and to draft or orally state understandable, succinct and accurate applications of law to everyday factual situations.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Experience that evidences excellent analytical skills and pro-active problem-solving skills.
- Strong computer knowledge and skills including, at a minimum, Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience working collaboratively in remote work environment, including knowledge and skills using Microsoft Teams or equivalent platform for video meetings, information sharing and collaboration.
- Experience that evidences ability to independently determine specific tasks needed to accomplish an assignment; to prioritize work; to complete assignments in a timely and satisfactory manner; and to carry out multiple assignments simultaneously.
- Knowledge of judicial ethics; excellent independent judgment, interpersonal skills and personal integrity.
- Knowledge of administrative procedures relating to adjudicatory hearings, deliberations and regulations.
- Knowledge of community development, housing and rental assistance programs.
- Knowledge of land use programs including Chapter 40B and Chapter 40R.
- Knowledge of CDBG or federal grant funding compliance requirements.
- Knowledge of mediation and conflict resolution procedures preferred.
- Ability to maintain accurate and thorough records and files.
- Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential material.
- Ability to supervise legal interns and Counsel I as needed.
- Experience that evidences willingness to exercise initiative and to respond rapidly and responsibly to unanticipated events, issues and/or inquiries.
- Occasional evening or weekend work may be necessary as part of the regular duties of this position.
- Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operator’s license or the equivalent from another state is required.
COMMENTS:
Please attach a resume, cover letter and writing sample with your application.
This position is currently a telework position. The successful candidate will work remotely but must be flexible and able to perform duties in a shared office workspace as required.
Salary placement is determined by years of experience and education directly related to the position and the Human Resources Division’s Recruiting Guidelines. In the case of a promotional opportunity, the salary provisions of the applicable collective bargaining agreement will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.
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.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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.
Executive Order #595: As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be required to have received COVID-19 vaccination or an approved exemption as of their start date. Details relating to demonstrating compliance with this requirement will be provided to applicants selected for employment. Applicants who receive an offer of employment who can provide documentation that the vaccine is medically contraindicated or who object to vaccination due to a sincerely held religious belief may make a request for exemption.
If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator: Marjie Lalli - 6175731254
An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.