General Counsel Greater Boston, MA Area

SHERIFF’S OFFICE OF WORCESTER COUNTY

POSITION DESCRIPTION

POSITION: General Counsel BARGAINING UNIT: None

I. GENERAL STATEMENT OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

To provide legal counsel to the Administration of the Worcester County Sheriff’s Office. The General Counsel will provide senior management with effective advice on policies, procedures, programs and their implementation, manage the legal function, and obtain and oversee the work of outside counsel.

II. ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• To verbally advise and provide advanced legal experience to senior management.
• To participate in the definition and development of policies, procedures and programs and provide continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.
• To communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with the public, governmental agencies, outside legal counsel, private attorneys, and WCSO employees.
• To be able to represent the WCSO in state and federal court as well as administrative proceedings.
• To interpret and apply laws, including those without precedent, rulings and regulations relating to a correctional facility.
• To judge the merits of court cases filed against or on behalf of the WCSO, work with the appropriate personnel to develop a strategic defense and approve settlements when warranted.
• To provide applicable legal training to both new and existing employees/contractors.
• To study and be familiar with statutes, decisions, regulations and ordinances pertinent to a correctional facility.
• To keep current and up-to-date with changes to laws and regulations

III. MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

A. Education and Experience: Bachelors Degree from an accredited college or university; Juris Doctor degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association; a minimum of 5 years of legal experience

B. Special Requirements: License to practice law in Massachusetts

C. Knowledge, Ability and Skill:

• Ability to observe, receive and otherwise obtain information from all relevant sources

• Ability to communicate with persons outside the facility, representing the facility to the public, government and other external sources.

• Ability to instruct personnel

• Ability to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches

• Ability to communicate effectively with others either verbally or in writing

• Ability to listen and comprehend what other people are saying and asking questions as appropriate

• Ability to perform advanced legal research using written and electronic methods

• Advanced knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules and the correctional process
• Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition and grammar
• Advanced knowledge of criminal law, employment law, correctional law and civil rights law

D. Physical Qualifications:

• Specific vision requirements include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

IV. JOB ENVIRONMENT:

Work is performed in a typical office setting within a correctional facility.

V. SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

Reports to the Superintendent / Special Sheriff.

VI. SUPERVISION EXERCISED:

N/A

• [1] This job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

[2] The essential functions or duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the position.

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