Job Description

　　Duties:

　　The Deputy Supervising Counsel (MVI) will be responsible for handling complex legal issues involving Bridgewater State Hospital (BSH) patients and appellate work specifically related to the hospitalization of mentally ill patients pursuant to M.G.L. c. 123. The attorney will be responsible for handling an active caseload of civil rights litigation in the state and federal courts, defending correctional officials in cases involving constitutional issues, conditions of confinement, medical care, and systems litigation. This managing attorney will supervise Counsel II attorneys, paralegals, and other support staff in the BSH Legal Office, and will be responsible for pursuing civil commitment petitions under G.L. c. 123 and District Court Rogers petitions filed by BSH on a weekly basis as well as civil commitment petitions in the Superior Court. The attorney will pursue guardianship petitions in Probate Court as required by DOC, ensure the annual renewal of Probate Rogers treatment plans as needed, and coordinate all of the DOC Legal Division's Probate matters, to include oversight of the Probate Case database that tracks medical and Rogers guardianships. This attorney will also function as the Department of Mental Health (DMH) Liaison for all current BSH patients with active DMH probate and administrative orders. The attorney will also be the primary DOC attorney responsible for pursuing Myers petitions in Superior Court. The attorney will also be the DOC Legal point of contact regarding medical parole petitions filed on behalf of individuals in county custody. The attorney will also provide in-house counsel advice on a variety of matters to all DOC employees, to include the interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and case decisions impacting DOC, as required. Perform other duties as assigned by the BSH Supervising Counsel for the Bridgewater Complex.

　　Litigation experience, including jury and bench trials and motion hearings in the state and federal courts, as well as familiarity with the conduct of discovery (witness interviews, depositions, review of relevant institutional and agency records), is required.

　　Special Requirements:

　　Possession of a current and valid Massachusetts Class 3 Motor Vehicle Operator's License is required.

　　Preferred Qualifications:

　　Applicants must have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, admission to the Massachusetts Bar, and at least five years of full-time, or equivalent part-time, professional experience in the practice of law, preferably of which at least three years have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity experience involving business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration, or clinical management.

　　Experience in mental health law pertaining to civil commitment of mentally ill individuals, particularly as governed by G.L. c. 123, §§7, 8, 16, and 18; experience in the Probate Courts of Massachusetts, particularly regarding guardianships of incapacitated individuals and involuntary treatment pursuant to Probate Rogers Court-ordered treatment plans; experience in pursuing Myers petitions; litigation experience in constitutional law issues and systems litigation.

　　Comments:

　　Please note that salaries for management positions are determined according to the provisions of MGL Chapter 30, Sections 45 and 46C, and by policies outlined in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Salary Administration for Managers, Confidentials, and Unclassified Employees (also known as the "Grey Book"). The DOC urges bi-lingual applicants to apply. Applicants must have no felony convictions, to include any actions defined in 5 U.S.C. 301; U.S.C. 509, 510; 42 U.S.C. 15601-15609. The Massachusetts Department of Correction shall not hire anyone who may have direct contact with offenders, who has engaged in sexual abuse in a prison or other institution as defined in 42 U.S.C. 1997; or has been convicted of engaging or attempting to engage in sexual activity in the community facilitated by force, overt or implied threats of force or coercion, or if the victim did not consent or was unable to consent or refuse, or has been civilly or administratively adjudicated to have engaged in the activity described in the above paragraph. The agency shall consider any incidents of sexual harassment in determining whether to hire anyone who may have contact with offenders or residents.

　　Qualifications

　　MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

　　Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) years of full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative, supervisory, or managerial experience in business administration, business management, public administration, public management, clinical administration or clinical management of which (B) at least one (1) year must have been in a project management, supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.

　　Substitutions:

　　I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.

　　II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.

　　III. A Graduate degree in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.

　　IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.

　　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!

　　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.