Attorney Advisor Unit Supervisor

About the role

The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD) is an independent state agency whose mission is to eradicate discrimination and enforce the state's anti-discrimination laws. The Attorney Advisor Unit (AAU) Supervisor exercises direct supervision over the Attorney Advisors and the Unit, and assists the Chief of Investigations in overseeing the day-to-day operations of the Investigations Division.

Responsibilities

• Supervise, plan, review, and evaluate Attorney Advisor work product and performance
• Provide on-the-job training for employees and successfully onboard new Attorney Advisors
• Review and analyze reports and documents prepared by direct reports for accuracy, completeness, and content
• Resolve unit issues and/or problems
• Monitor for compliance purposes various activities, services and functions for an assigned agency program
• Oversee and assist in the performance and review of investigations and recommendations
• Evaluate complaints and pleadings, determine jurisdiction on Complaints and develop policies regarding procedures for the Division
• Assist in the recruitment, hiring and training of Division staff and interns
• Advise the Chief of Investigations on matters of agency function, staffing and legal matters
• Interpret rules, regulations, statutes, guidelines and applicable contracts and laws
• Supervise and monitor various activities, services, or functions of the Attorney Advisor Unit through observation, interviews, holding regular unit meetings, performance evaluations, and/or conferences in order to ensure compliance with governing laws, rules, regulations, program goals, and to provide verbal and written feedback regarding performance, including the timely completion of Unit Employee Performance Review Forms (EPRS)
• Manage and supervise Attorney Advisors and assigned unit activities in order to ensure efficient and effective operations and compliance with laws, rules, regulations and policies, including complaint review through CCMS, motions, investigative dispositions, and appeals
• Work alongside the Chief and Deputy Chief of Investigations and Investigative Supervisors to monitor investigations as necessary
• Review legal work for the unit, including dispositions, Orders, subpoenas, and legal memoranda
• Resolve legal issues; conduct legal research and writing
• Oversee the resolution of initial jurisdictional issues in cases encountered during the processing of a complaint
• Review cases with the intent of identifying novel legal issues, which may be of interest to the Commission in establishing new law or public policy; refer those cases to the General Counsel and Chief of Investigations for consideration for Full Commission review
• Advise agency staff on legal matters by interpreting laws, rules, regulations, and judicial or quasi-judicial decisions and opinions related to agency operations
• Assist in developing policy and procedures consistent with regulations and statutes in ensuring case processing and management
• Act as a liaison and communicate effectively with assigned agency personnel in order to provide information concerning compliance with the provisions of laws, rules, regulations, etc.
• Respond to inquiries from the public, parties, and attorneys in order to provide information concerning agency policies and procedures and laws, rules, and regulations governing agency activities
• Review draft investigative dispositions
• Conduct Lack of Probable Cause appeals as assigned, and make recommendations on disposition
• Review and analyze reports, memoranda, etc., prepared by subordinates for accuracy, completeness, content, and to take appropriate action to resolve problems
• Confer with Chief of Investigations, other management staff, Commissioners and other agency personnel in order to provide information, to resolve problems and/or to recommend changes in policies and procedures
• Provide back-up services and functions for the Attorney Advisors Unit and to the Chief of Investigations as needed
• Participate in training seminars and speaking engagements as designated by the Chief of Investigations
• Keep the Chief of Investigations timely informed regarding activity in the unit and any personnel matters
• Appropriately and timely recognize the individual achievements of unit members
• Perform other related investigative and administrative duties and functions as required by the Commission

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor (JD) degree
• Admission to the Massachusetts Bar
• 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 skills

• Significant problem-solving, consensus-building, and team-building skills
• Superior ability to communicate effectively, in written and oral presentations, the Commission's mission, goals, and objectives
• Knowledge of theory, principles, and practices of anti-discrimination and labor law
• Experience working and managing personnel in a union environment
• Ability to resolve conflicts diplomatically and tactfully
• Ability to travel for job-related purposes