State Police Academy Counsel

The Department of State Police (the “Department”) State Police Academy is seeking an Academy Counsel, who will operate as a critical legal advisor, and manage all legal, policy, and training compliance matters at the Massachusetts State Police Academy.

The incumbent will collaborate closely with Academy executive leadership, including the Academy Major, Commandant, Director of Training, and Physical Training Manager, as well as the Department's central Legal Section to ensure all training programs align with current statutory frameworks.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Curriculum & Compliance Review: Review all Academy training bulletins, in-service training curricula for sworn members, and lesson plans for Recruit Training Troop trainees to ensure absolute legal compliance.
  Review, evaluate, and modify all Academy lesson plans, training bulletins, in-service materials, and Recruit Training Troop curricula to ensure strict legal alignment; collaborate with Academy leadership to ensure all programs comprehensively meet and maintain state certification, [POST Commission] standards, and national accreditation requirements.

• Inter-Departmental Collaboration: Utilize specialized expertise across multiple legal domains, including criminal law and procedure, motor vehicle law, civil liability, and employment law to advise Academy leadership and sync operations with the Department's Legal Section.

• Staff Training: Develop and deliver targeted training modules for Academy staff focusing on evolving areas of criminal law and employment regulations.

• Training Program Development: Design, oversee, and deliver comprehensive legal training curricula and instructional materials for Academy staff; focus content on legal updates and improving the delivery of expert testimony in criminal trials and other legal forums.

• Information & Disclosure Management: Direct responses to external information requests, including complex legal discovery and public records requests.

• Legal Research & Policy Analysis: Evaluate judicial, quasi-judicial, and administrative decisions, rulings, and legal opinions affecting State Police Academy operations; proactively troubleshoot operational vulnerabilities, resolve complex issues, and deliver strategic recommendations to leadership.

• Legal Drafting & Case Review: Draft formal court pleadings, administrative documents, and legal memoranda concerning Academy affairs; review internal cases to isolate critical issues, identify areas of concern, and assist Senior Counsel in advising Academy management.

• Information & Disclosure Management: Apply specialized legal expertise to process, review, and resolve complex discovery demands, state public records requests, and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests for Academy records and information.

• Litigation Support & Agency Compliance: Partner closely with the Massachusetts State Police (MSP) central Legal Section and designated outside counsel to develop legal positions, litigation strategies, and policies; maintain organized legal files and manage workflows to ensure Academy compliance with statutory laws, contracts, and internal memoranda of understanding (MOUs).

 

MINIMUM ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS:

Applicants must have at least (A) five (5) 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 one (1) year must have been in a project management, 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 in a related field may be substituted for three (3) years of the (A) required experience.

IV. A Doctorate degree in a related field may be substituted for four (4) years of the (A) required 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.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

 

 

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.

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