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AGENCY OVERVIEW:
The Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) is an independent adjudicatory agency within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts that conducts impartial, due process hearings for state administrative agencies. DALA provides a neutral forum for individuals and entities exercising their statutory right to appeal decisions made by other Massachusetts state agencies. Through its quasi-judicial functions, DALA ensures fairness, transparency, and consistency in administrative decision-making, safeguarding the procedural rights of appellants while supporting agencies in the lawful administration of their programs.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW & POSITION SUMMARY:
The Division of Administrative Law Appeals (DALA) conducts adjudicatory hearings for approximately twenty Massachusetts state agencies through its General Jurisdiction Unit (GJU). A full description of its jurisdiction is available at www.mass.gov/dala.
The First Administrative Magistrate works alongside the Chief Administrative Magistrate to provide leadership for DALA and its GJU. This role also serves as the agency's General Counsel while carrying a reduced caseload of administrative appeals.
Reporting directly to the Chief Administrative Magistrate, the First Administrative Magistrate serves as the primary adviser on strategic priorities, legal matters, and process improvements. This position develops and implements policies, procedures, and forms to ensure that DALA fulfills its mission and that cases are resolved efficiently, fairly, and correctly.
The First Administrative Magistrate oversees case administration, including screening and assigning appeals, ensuring timely resolution, and supervising GJU staff. The First Administrative Magistrate also collaborates closely with the Fiscal Manager and the Director of DALA's other primary unit, the Bureau of Special Education Appeals (BSEA), which conducts mediations, hearings, and facilitated meetings to resolve disputes related to special education services for students with disabilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Agency Leadership and Management

• Partner with the Chief Administrative Magistrate on agency leadership, including administration, budgeting, staff supervision, and organizational planning.
• Lead strategic initiatives, policy development, and process improvements to enhance agency effectiveness.
• Analyze operations to identify efficiencies and best practices.
• Integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion principles into policies and daily operations.
• Draft reports, policies, procedures, and data analyses to support agency objectives.
• Perform additional duties as assigned, including oversight of one or more jurisdictional practice areas.
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards, agency policies, and Commonwealth regulations.
• Serve as approving authority for COMMBUYS transactions and purchase orders in the absence of the Chief Administrative Magistrate.
• Act as liaison to the Ethnic Commission, supporting coordination and communication as needed.
• Assume delegated authority for payroll, encumbrance approvals, and operational decision-making in the absence of the Chief Administrative Magistrate.

2. Case Administration

• Oversee case flow management to ensure timely processing of appeals, including screening and assignment of cases.
• Monitor performance metrics and best practices in case management.
• Respond to inquiries from the public, attorneys, and other stakeholders regarding hearing procedures and case status.
• Provide high-quality customer service to litigants, attorneys, the public, and agency partners.

3. Case Management

• Manage a reduced caseload of administrative appeals.
• Ensure the fair and respectful treatment of all parties through the adjudicatory process.
• Oversee assigned appeals, including preliminary motions, pre-hearing conferences, and evidentiary hearings.
• Preside over trial-type adjudicatory hearings, conducted in-person or remotely, following formal and informal administrative procedures.
• Rule on motions and evidentiary issues; make findings of fact and conclusions of law.
• Conduct legal research and analysis to address complex statutory and regulatory issues.
• Prepare clear, well-reasoned substantive decisions, recommended decisions, and procedural orders.

4. General Counsel Duties

• Serve as DALA's legal representative for disputes, lawsuits, or internal investigations in coordination with the Office of the Attorney General or other investigatory agencies.
• Act as the agency's Diversity Officer.
• Oversee public records requests to ensure compliance with state law.
• Act as Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) officer for DALA.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• A minimum of seven (7) years of experience in the practice of law in a position requiring independent judgment and professional legal performance.
• Prior management and/or supervision experience preferred.
• Administrative hearing experience and/or civil litigation and trial experience preferred.
• Demonstrated superior legal writing ability, evidenced by a substantive legal brief or memorandum of law prepared independently by the applicant.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Westlaw, and the ability to independently prepare written materials with minimal administrative support.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
1. Leadership and Management Demonstrated experience leading teams, implementing strategic initiatives, and improving operational efficiency. Ability to mentor staff, manage resources, and drive organizational success through effective planning and sound decision-making. Commitment to fostering a workplace culture that values diversity, equity, and inclusion.
2. Case Administration Supervisory experience in court operations or legal administration. Familiarity with case management principles, including the use of data to analyze performance, monitor compliance, and improve workflow efficiency.
3. Legal Expertise Strong knowledge of administrative law, legal procedures, and adjudicatory case management.
4. Judicial and Analytical Skills Judicial demeanor with experience in legal research, evidence evaluation, and decision writing.
5. Interpersonal Skills Ability to build effective and responsive relationships with staff, leadership, and external stakeholders. Demonstrated integrity, collaboration, respect, and commitment to continuous improvement.
6. Communication Skills Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Ability to lead individuals and teams in a manner that enhances productivity and excellence. Strong analytical, legal reasoning, and bridge-building skills.
Qualifications:
MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must have at least (A) six (6) 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 two (2) years must have been in a supervisory or managerial capacity or (C) any equivalent combination of the required experience and substitutions below.
Substitutions:
I. A certificate in a relevant or related field may be substituted for one (1) year of the required (A) experience.
II. A Bachelor's degree in a related field may be substituted for two (2) years of the required (A) experience.
III. A Graduate degree or higher in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the required (A) experience.
IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the required (A) experience.
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.
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An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.