Counsel II – Dept. of Housing and Community Development (Deadline; August 20, 2015)

Agency Name:	Dept. of Housing and Community Development
Official Title:	Counsel II
Functional Title:	Counsel II
Occupational Group:	Legal
Position Type:	Civil Service
Full-Time or Part-Time:	Full-Time
Salary Range:	$64,867.40 to $93,734.16 Annually
Bargaining Unit:	06
Shift:	Day
Confidential:	No
Number Of Vacancies:	1
City/Town:	Boston
Region:	BOSTON
Facility Location:	100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
Application Deadline:	08-20-2015
Apply Online:	No
Posting ID:	J49160

This position is funded from the Commonwealth’s annual operating budget.

DUTIES:

Provides legal services and support to Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) staff; with a focus on real estate development, and affordable housing finance programs administered by DHCD. As needed, provides legal services and support as Hearing Officer to the Housing Appeals Committee (HAC), conducting hearings, mediating disputes, researching and preparing draft decisions in cooperation with the Chair of the HAC. 

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Serves as second hearing officer for the Housing Appeals Committee.
2. Conducts adjudicatory hearings pursuant to M.G.L. c. 40B and c. 30A, and drafts detailed written rulings and decisions identifying the pertinent facts and applying the law to the facts.
3. Performs legal research and drafts decisions, orders, regulations, guidelines, reports, correspondence, and other written materials for the Housing Appeals Committee.
4. Provides appropriate advice to counsel and litigants appearing before the Housing Appeals Committee.
5. Provides written and oral legal advice to DHCD staff, the Housing Appeals Committee, and recipients of DHCD assistance relative to compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines and DHCD policy.
6. Acts as liaison to the Office of the Attorney General in Housing Appeals Committee cases, preparing documents as necessary.
7. As necessary, assists the Housing Appeals Committee Docket Clerk with various miscellaneous administrative tasks, such as scheduling, maintenance of dockets and files, preparation of Record on Appeal for the Office of the Attorney General.
8. Provides written and oral legal advice concerning federal, state and local law, regulations, guidelines and DHCD policy to DHCD staff.
9. Drafts, reviews and/or negotiates contracts, grant agreements, regulatory agreements, deed riders and a variety of other legal, administrative and transactional documents relative to real estate development and affordable housing finance programs administered by DHCD to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations and guidelines and DHCD policy.
10. Drafts and/or reviews rules, regulations, guidelines, legal opinions and legislation regarding programs administered by DHCD.
11. Participates in inter-agency working groups.
12. Assists the Attorney General in litigation wherein DHCD is named as a party, including the preparation of affidavits, briefs, and related Court papers and research of relevant issues.
13. Works with outside counsel who are providing legal services to DHCD in transactions or litigation.
14. Reviews statewide and national developments in affordable housing law.
15. As necessary, responds to requests for information and public records.
16. Other duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED AT HIRE

1. Knowledge of theory, principles and practices of law.
2. Knowledge of procedures followed in courtroom and administrative proceedings.
3. Knowledge of the methods and ability to conduct legal research and technical report writing.
4. Ability to read and interpret legal documents and apply the law, rules and regulations governing agency operations.
5. Ability to exercise discretion and sound judgment.
6. Ability to interact effectively with diverse groups of people.
7. Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, to clearly and concisely express thoughts and develop ideas in a logical manner.
8. Ability to use a computer to conduct research, manage databases, and produce written documents.
9. Ability to lead or work with cross-functional project teams.
10. Ability to manage multiple projects and project teams.
11. Ability to exercise discretion in safeguarding information through compliance with rules of disclosure.

QUALIFICATIONS:

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 Driver’s License at a Class level specific to assignment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Strong academic credentials.
2. Good judgment in making decisions and offering advice.
3. Ability to read and comprehend statutes and regulations.
4. Ability to research applicable law, and to draft or orally to state understandable, succinct and accurate applications of law to everyday factual situations.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Experience that evidences excellent analytical skills and pro-active problem solving skills.
7. Strong computer knowledge and skills including, at a minimum, Microsoft Word and Excel.
8. 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.
9. Knowledge of judicial ethics; excellent independent judgment, interpersonal skills and personal integrity.
10. Thorough knowledge of M.G.L. c. 40B and related regulations and case law,
11. Thorough knowledge of M.G.L. c. 30A, and administrative procedures relating to adjudicatory hearings, deliberations and regulations.
12. Knowledge of zoning, environmental, and land use law, as well as the law of evidence, preferred.
13. Thorough knowledge of real estate development and affordable housing finance programs.
14. Knowledge of mediation and conflict resolution procedures.
15. Ability to maintain accurate and thorough records and files.
16. Ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential material.
17. Experience that evidences willingness to exercise initiative and to respond rapidly and responsibly to unanticipated events, issues and/or inquiries.
18. Ability to serve as a hearing officer.
19. At least 10 years’ experience in the practice of law, a significant portion of which is related to real estate development, affordable housing finance programs, adjudicatory hearings, and M.G.L. c. 40B.
20. Occasional evening or weekend work may be required as part of the regular duties of this position.

COMMENTS:

This is a Civil Service position. 

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants should submit the following documents referencing CEO #J49160 by 5PM on the Application Deadline date.

– A resume and cover letter

– A writing sample, and

– 3 professional references

When listing work experience in your resume please be sure to list months and years (i.e., May 2005 – June 2007).

Please send to:

Department of Housing and Community Development

Re: Counsel II – J49160

Human Resources Department

100 Cambridge Street, Suite 300

Boston, MA 02114-2524

Fax: (617) 573-1299

TTY: (617) 573-1140

Please help the environment, by not mailing and faxing your resume and cover letter – only do one or the other. Thank you for your help.

For non-United States citizens working in the United States on a work visa, this position does not qualify as a specialty occupation.

Agency Web Address: http://www.mass.gov/dhcd/

The Commonwealth acts in good faith to affirmatively recruit a diverse population. If you wish to self-identify, please click on the links below. Completing this form is voluntary. If you choose to self-identify, please note that all Affirmative Action and Disability data is kept in a confidential file.

Link to Disability Form (return this form to the ADA Coordinator listed below)

http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/hrd/odeo/veterans/disabled-veteran-applicant-self-id-form.doc

Link to the Veterans Forms (return this form to the Diversity Officer listed below)

http://www.mass.gov/anf/docs/hrd/odeo/veterans/gender-race-veteran-applicant-self-id-form.doc

Diversity Officer/ADA Coordinator: Ms. Nancy DePaul, (617) 573-1100

An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.