Director of Youth Advocacy Division

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS), the Massachusetts public defender agency, is seeking a dynamic experienced leader to serve as Director of the Youth Advocacy Division.

THE AGENCY

The Committee for Public Counsel Services (CPCS) is the Massachusetts public defender agency that provides legal representation to indigent persons in all criminal and civil matters in which there is a right to counsel under the state or federal Constitution, state statutes, or case law. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, child welfare, mental health, sexually dangerous person, parole and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and collateral proceedings related to these matters.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION MISSION STATEMENT

CPCS is committed to protecting the fundamental constitutional and human rights of our assigned clients through zealous advocacy, community-oriented defense, and the fullness of excellent legal representation. We are dedicated to building and maintaining strong professional relationships, while striving to accept, listen to and respect the diverse circumstances of each client, as we dedicate ourselves to meeting their individual needs. It is our CPCS mission to achieve these goals, and in furtherance thereof, we embrace and endorse diversity, equity and inclusion as our core values as we maintain a steadfast commitment to: (1) Ensure that CPCS management and staff members represent a broad range of human differences and experience; (2) Provide a work climate that is respectful and supports success; and (3) Promote the dignity and well-being of all staff members. CPCS leadership is responsible for ensuring equity, diversity, and inclusion. The ability to achieve these goals with any level of certainty is ultimately the responsibility each member of the CPCS community.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Director of the Youth Advocacy Division (YAD) will lead a division which consists of about 75 staff members and 250 private practitioners, and is responsible for assuring that all children accused of crimes in Massachusetts receive a high quality of client directed developmentally appropriate zealous advocacy throughout representation - from investigation through parole. The YAD Director will also play a leadership role inside and outside the agency in matters pertaining to juvenile and criminal law, policy and practice.

CPCS is seeking a new Director who has the vision and perseverance to lead a dedicated, experienced and skilled group of juvenile defenders, social workers, investigators, and administrative professionals in achieving an ever improving quality of advocacy, deeper engagement with client communities, and steadily improving outcomes for clients. YAD’s Director will lead development and implementation of micro and macro strategies designed to overcome the structural racism that forces young people of color into the court system and dooms communities of color to intergenerational cycles of poverty and disenfranchisement.

The Director of the Youth Advocacy Division reports to the Chief Counsel and is a member of the CPCS Senior Management Team, which develops and implements agency fiscal, operational, human resource, and legislative policies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director’s duties include, but are not limited to:

-Defining YAD vision, priorities, and goals in collaboration with the Chief Counsel;
-Managing and supervising the YAD leadership team to promote a culture of courage, accountability, respect, and excellence;
-Responsibility for YAD staff and all aspects of the Division's operations through managerial supervision, development, and implementation of policies, and allocation of financial and other resources;
-Supervising the Assistant Director, and, in collaboration with the Assistant Director, supervising the Directors of Social -Work, Trial Panel, Appeals, Education Advocacy, and the trial offices. Working closely with the Training Department, who -supervises the YAD Training Director, in training for staff and private assigned counsel;
-Overseeing the certification and recertification of private attorneys in juvenile proceedings in all courts of the Commonwealth;
-Setting performance standards to support the achievement of the Division’s goals, and overseeing the performance of YAD staff and panel members to ensure compliance with the performance standards and the Assigned Counsel Manual;
-Serving as senior leader of the non-profit Youth Advocacy Foundation, which raises and manages funds used to supports the EdLaw Project and other YAD initiatives;
-Collaborating with other CPCS divisions and departments, working with court leadership, Department of Youth Services, -Probation Department, Department of Children and Families, the legislature, and other stakeholders to improve the justice system for indigent youth and families;
-Providing leadership and support to CPCS efforts to become an anti-racism organization;
-Working with the General Counsel on legislative and policy advocacy reviewing pending legislation, drafting bills, and testifying on proposed legislation before state legislative committees;
-Working with the CPCS Communications Director on strategies for communicating information about YAD issues, clients, and client communities;
-Connecting with national community of juvenile defenders and other experts in juvenile justice, human rights, adolescent development, etc., to exchange ideas and resources; and,
-Other duties as assigned.