Senior Deputy General Counsel

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is seeking a Senior Deputy General Counsel to serve as an essential leader by guiding the agency’s legal strategy and ensuring programs operate within the bounds of state and federal law. This role directs and manages a team of attorneys, providing expert legal counsel across diverse public health initiatives—including maternal and child health, nutrition, and health equity. With oversight of legal services spanning contracts, regulations, grants, and legislative matters, the Senior Deputy General Counsel plays a vital role in shaping the policies and practices that advance DPH’s mission to protect and promote community health.

This position offers an exceptional opportunity for a seasoned attorney to influence public health law and policy at the state level. The Senior Deputy General Counsel will collaborate with agency leadership and state partners to interpret complex legal frameworks, ensure compliance with transparency and ethics laws, and support equitable health outcomes across Massachusetts. The role is ideal for a candidate who thrives in a dynamic environment, values public service, and seeks to make a meaningful impact through thoughtful legal leadership and strategic guidance.

Duties and Responsibilities (these duties are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Direct and oversee the delivery of legal services to DPH programs and bureaus, ensuring compliance with federal and state laws, regulations, and agency policies.
• Supervise and manage a team of attorneys, providing strategic direction, mentorship, and performance evaluation to ensure high-quality legal counsel.
• Advise Bureau Leadership on legal matters related to contracts, procurements, federal grants, and program operations across multiple public health initiatives.
• Provide legal guidance on statutory interpretation, policy implementation, regulatory development, and the promulgation or amendment of agency regulations.
• Analyze, draft, and recommend legislation and prepare memoranda on proposed laws or regulations affecting DPH programs and operations.
• Ensure compliance with open meeting law, conflict of interest law, public records law, privacy and data security requirements, and administrative procedures.
• Represent the Department at Public Health Council meetings and coordinate legal positions with other state and federal agencies.
• Develop and maintain consistent legal frameworks, procedures, and systems that align with DPH policy goals and promote uniform decision-making across bureaus.
• Provide counsel on pending or potential litigation, administrative actions, and enforcement matters impacting agency programs.
• Facilitate communication and coordination among DPH attorneys and between DPH and external partners to ensure effective and consistent legal support.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated ability to manage and lead legal personnel while ensuring high-quality, timely, and consistent legal support across diverse public health programs.
• Deep understanding of the legal framework governing public health operations, including state ethics and conflict of interest laws, the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), due process principles, regulation promulgation, legislative drafting, records management, and confidentiality requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of DPH laws, regulations, and standards of practice, with the capacity to balance and synthesize competing program priorities to optimize resources and achieve departmental objectives.

DPH Mission and Vision:

The mission of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) is to promote and protect health and wellness and prevent injury and illness for all people, prioritizing racial equity in health by improving equitable access to quality public health and health care services and partnering with communities most impacted by health inequities and structural racism.

We envision a Commonwealth with an equitable and just public health system that supports optimal well-being for all people in Massachusetts, centering those with systemically and culturally oppressed identities and circumstances.

Learn more and share a one-pager on DPH and what we do: DPH at a Glance PDF | Doc

Pre-Hire Process:

A tax & background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Human Resources Division prior to the candidate being hired.

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

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Record Law and may be published on the Commonwealth's website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form

For questions regarding this requisition, please contact the Executive Office of Health and Human Services Human Resources at 1-800- 510-4122 Ext. #4

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

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