Regional Planner
Company: CITIZENS HOUSING & PLANNING
Location: Boston
Posted on: October 11, 2024
Job Description:
The Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities is seeking
a General Counsel!AGENCY MISSION:The Executive Office of Housing
and Livable Communities (EOHLC) is charged with creating more homes
in Massachusetts and lowering housing costs for residents.Formerly
known as the Department of Housing and Community Development
(DHCD), EOHLC works with municipalities, local housing authorities,
non-profit organizations, and development partners to provide
affordable housing options, financial assistance, and other support
to Massachusetts communities.The General Counsel reports directly
to the Secretary and is responsible for advising the Secretary and
the staff of the EOHLC on legal and policy issues; supervising and
managing the staff of the Office of the General Counsel (OGC);
coordinating legal matters and activities throughout the
Secretariat, and with the Governor's Office of Legal Counsel. The
General Counsel is responsible for reviewing any official action of
the Secretary or the Secretariat for legal adequacy. The position
involves the application of a mix of legal, managerial and policy
expertise.The General Counsel directly, or through oversight,
participates in the negotiation and approval of contracts,
agreements, and memoranda of understanding between EOHLC and other
governmental and private entities. The General Counsel serves as
the Secretariat's legal representative for disputes or lawsuits
including coordination with the Office of the Attorney General or
other investigatory agency in the event of litigation or an
internal investigation.The General Counsel collaborates with the
Undersecretary/Chief of Staff to provide input into setting agency
priorities and performance strategies and participates in strategy
sessions with senior managers. They sensitize, educate and inform
EOHLC staff relative to potential legal issues in the
administration of EOHLC programs and policies and the utilization
of Secretariat funds. The General Counsel works with the Division
heads, Chief Financial Officer and key State Finance Law Compliance
appointees to ensure Department compliance with state finance law
requirements.DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (NOT ALL INCLUSIVE):
- Leadership and Legal Guidance:For the Secretary, Deputy
Secretary and Undersecretary/Chief of Staff, and for Governor's
Office, as necessary, frames legal questions and provides answers
with analysis that includes policy and programmatic
implications.Provides legal advice to EOHLC divisions and staff on
agency policies and initiatives or the resolution of issues that
set precedent and troubleshoot legal issues that cross all EOHLC
divisions.
- Provides rapid, accurate analysis of complex legal issues
requiring significant technical expertise, particularly those
involving (1) a mix of housing law and tax law, such as the federal
and state low income housing tax credit programs (LIHTC) and the
interplay of LIHTC with other federal and state programs, including
grants and tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act; and (2)
the impact of proposed legislation, regulations and/or guidance on
program operations as well as consistency with law.
- Advises on matters of alleged fraud, waste and abuse involving
staff, grantees, or sub-recipients.
- Manages operations and provides leadership to staff in the
Office of the General Counsel.
- Oversees the Public Record Requests response process.
- Drafts legislation for the Secretariat including annual budget
line item language.
- Provides an analysis of any difference between legislation
ultimately passed by the Legislature and legislation submitted by
the Secretariat/Administration.Regulations:Drafts regulations,
legal policies, procedures, forms and notices for agency; conducts
legal research and drafts memoranda of law; reviews documents, such
as contracts and Request for Responses (RFRs).Reviews and makes
recommendations to the Secretary and Governor's Office on
legislation filed by other parties that is related to housing,
community development and/or municipal governance.Other:The General
Counsel ensures that all written and electronic communications from
the Office of the Comptroller, Executive Office for Administration
and Finance, Governor's Office of Legal Counsel, and other
applicable oversight agencies are disseminated to the appropriate
Secretariat personnel in a timely manner.The General Counsel
assists in the design and delivery of training of Secretariat
policy and practice to EOHLC staff, as well as
stakeholders.PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:Applicants must have a Juris
Doctor (JD) Degree, a current license to practice law in
Massachusetts and a member in good standing of the Massachusetts
Bar.A minimum of 10 years of experience with housing and community
development programs of which at least 5 must be as a legal
counsel.Knowledge of state and federal housing and community
development programs and shelter programs; ability to blend policy
and programmatic concerns and practicalities into legal advice and
recommendations.Outstanding verbal and written communication
skills.Exceptional judgment for weighing inputs and evaluating
potential courses of action.Strategic acumen and excellent
problem-solving capabilities.Performing this job effectively
requires significant technical expertise relating to one or more of
the primary housing or shelter programs administered by EOHLC,
including (a) low income housing tax credits and tax-exempt bonds,
(b) federal and state rental assistance, (c) state-aided public
housing, and (d) emergency shelter and homelessness
programs.Expertise in administrative law is key to providing
effective and accurate advice on state finance law, the state
budget and legislative process, regulatory promulgation,
procurement, contracting, and other aspects of operating a
cabinet-level executive branch agency.MINIMUM ENTRANCE
REQUIREMENTS:Applicants must have at least (A) seven (7) years of
full-time or, equivalent part-time, professional, administrative,
supervisory, or managerial experience in a particular specialty
(i.e. scientific, professional, or technical) and must possess
current license and/or registration requirements established for
the performance of the position, of which (B) at least four (4)
years must have been in a managerial capacity.This position would
be expected to follow a hybrid model of reporting to work that
combines in-office workdays and work from home days, as needed.An
Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females,
minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly
encouraged to apply.
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Keywords: CITIZENS HOUSING & PLANNING, Lawrence , Regional Planner, Accounting, Auditing , Boston, Massachusetts
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