Counsel I- Northern Legal

About the Department of Children and Families

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they are able to grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF's vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care, and education.

DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well-being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship, or adoption. Preferred applicants will possess a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: child-driven, family-centered, community-focused, strength-based, committed to diversity/cultural competency, and committed to continuous learning.

About the Role

The Department of Children and Families is seeking a dynamic, service-minded legal professional to fill the role of Counsel I. The selected candidate will represent DCF in Juvenile and Probate Court, handling custody, termination of parental rights, guardianship, and adoption cases. This role is critical to the agency's mission of ensuring the safety and well-being of children across the Commonwealth.

Hiring Process

To apply, please upload both your Resume and Cover Letter. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.

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 hiring. Education, licensure, and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division's Hiring Guidelines. Please note that 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.

Accommodations: If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application or interview process, please contact EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests. For general questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

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.

For more information about our agency and programs, visit www.mass.gov/dcf.