Paralegal

Massachusetts Peace Officers Standards and Training Commission

Job Posting

Job Title: Legal Division Paralegal

Reports to: General Counsel

AGENCY OVERVIEW

The Massachusetts Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) Commission is an independent agency that oversees law enforcement departments and officers throughout the Commonwealth. The Commission is charged with the following:

• Establishing certification standards for law enforcement departments and officers;
• Determining whether those standards have been met;
• Developing regulations and policies governing law enforcement;
• Decertifying, suspending, or ordering retraining for officers who commit misconduct or otherwise fail to satisfy requirements;
• Maintaining, analyzing, and disseminating information regarding law enforcement; and
• Conducting investigations, adjudicatory proceedings, and public hearings regarding much of the foregoing.

The Commission is governed by, and enforces, Chapter 6E of the Massachusetts General Laws. Pursuant to that statute, the Commission collaborates with the Commonwealth’s Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) in several areas of its work.

The POST Commission is looking for an individual to join the Legal Division as a Paralegal.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Providing a wide variety of support to the General Counsel and other employees of the Legal Division in all matters related to the General Counsel’s functions in providing legal services to the POST Commission.
• Assisting in the preparation, review, dissemination, and storage of the POST Commission meeting agendas, materials, and minutes.
• Working with the General Counsel, other employees of the Legal Division, and other POST Commission personnel to continue developing, implementing, and refining the POST Commission processes by collaborating with other operational divisions within the POST Commission and external agencies.
• Organizing and maintaining files related to the support that the General Counsel and other employees of the Legal Division provide to the POST Commission.
• Assisting the General Counsel and other employees of the Legal Division in tracking and meeting deadlines set forth in statutes and regulations pertinent to the POST Commission.
• Supporting the POST Commission litigation efforts, including, but not limited to, scheduling meetings, gathering and preparing correspondence and documents in response to discovery requests, developing pleading indices, preparing privilege logs, and otherwise organizing filings and information.
• Maintaining and organizing policies, protocols, and advisories adopted by the Commission and the Legal Division.
• Developing and maintaining dockets in adjudicatory proceedings, internal case management systems, and electronic file management systems.
• Preparing and filing reports, certifications, and other official documents with government offices.
• Organizing remote and in-person adjudicatory proceedings, public hearings, and conferences.
• Assisting with training, legal compliance, risk assessment, and implementation of internal controls concerning matters such as the state Administrative Procedure Law, Public Records Law, Open Meeting Law, and Conflict of Interest Law.
• Assisting the General Counsel and other employees of the Legal Division with administrative responsibilities such as drafting correspondence, redacting sensitive documents, and scheduling remote and in-person meetings for the General Counsel’s staff.
• Developing and maintaining thorough knowledge of the responsibilities of all POST Commission units.
• Supporting the promulgation of regulations, including reviewing and filing regulations.
• Developing proficiency, and assisting other team members, with relevant technologies.
• Accepting responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work and meeting expectations.
• Performing other duties as requested.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING

Interested individuals should apply for the position through MassCareers. An application must include a cover letter, a resume and a least one writing sample reflecting the applicant's own work. Applications should be submitted by March 30, 2024. Applications submitted after that date will be considered at the discretion of the Commission.

SALARY RANGE

Salary is commensurate with experience.

COMPREHENSIVE BENEFITS

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that will 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? Commonwealth Employee Benefits and Rewards!

It is the policy of the Commission and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state, or local law. Females, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and those who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive are strongly encouraged to apply.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

NOTICE OF REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECK – INCLUDING TAX COMPLIANCE

The POST Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such a background check is not initiated until:

• A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview and
• The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes a check of Criminal Offender Record Information, and Federal IRS and Massachusetts Department of Revenue tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted while a full background and qualification check is completed.

• Ability to understand the laws and regulations relevant to the work of the POST Commission.
• Ability to exercise discretion and care in the handling of confidential and sensitive information.
• Outstanding organizational skills and the ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects under time constraints and with available resources.
• Ability to work independently, productively, and creatively in an evolving environment.
• Appreciation for and commitment to the mission of the POST Commission.
• Working knowledge of the criminal justice system.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Appreciation of and attention to detail.
• Commitment to operating under the highest ethical standards.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to producing work at the highest levels of quality.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; an appreciation for teamwork and collegiality; and an ability to interact diplomatically with people at all levels within the Commission, stakeholders, outside counsel, outside vendors, and members of the public.
• Appreciation of the value of diversity and inclusion, and the importance of interacting respectfully and sensitively with people of different backgrounds.
• Willingness to perform routine administrative and clerical duties as needed.
• Proficiency with computers, technology, and the MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), and a willingness to learn state- and Commission-specific systems.
• Working knowledge of reference and related sources available for legal research (Westlaw, Lexis/Nexis).

• A Bachelor’s degree with related experience as a paralegal in a public or private practice involving civil litigation, criminal prosecution or defense, administrative law, regulatory matters, labor and employment law, records disclosure or management, data privacy, or a related field.