Paralegal Specialist - Northern Legal
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Lawrence, MA, United States
Paralegal Specialist - Northern Legal (260002OH)
The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is seeking a highly organized and driven individual with legal experience to fill the role of Paralegal Specialist. In this role the selected candidate will assist the agency in meeting the Federal requirements of Title IV-E and Title IV-B of the Social Security Act.
Additionally, the Paralegal Specialist will assist DCF lawyers, legal managers, and peer administrative support staff to meet their requirements under state and federal law through development of external collaboration and partnerships with staff in the local Massachusetts Probation Service Offices and the local Clerk’s Offices throughout the Commonwealth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Work directly with external partners in the local Probation and Registrar/Clerks’ Offices of the Juvenile and Probate and Family Court to track and obtain all required legal documents, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verifications, to comply with State and Federal mandates needed for federal reimbursement and audits.
Assist peer administrative support staff /paralegals, lawyers, and legal managers by obtaining and sending all required legal documentation, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verifications, to the Department, which are necessary to support federal reimbursements under Title IV-E of the Social Security act for foster case, adoptions or kinship guardianships in actions filed in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court.
Assist as needed in the Legal Office and Area Offices to maximize IV-E revenue. This may include assisting in the collection of necessary legal documentation from the Court, obtaining reports from Social Workers and distributing such reports as required by any Court rules.
Maintain a working relationship with the Area Office, Legal staff, and Court personnel to ensure timely processing of and obtaining the required documentation under State and Federal Law.
Perform related duties such as developing case tracking systems; preparing correspondence; operating office machines; filing required documents in an established filing system and/or electronically in the agency’s case management system.
Maintain a working relationship with the Department’s revenue unit and revenue vendor.
Meet regularly with the Department’s revenue vendor, the EOHHS revenue unit, and the Office of the General Counsel to facilitate communication and smooth operations between the revenue unit and the legal offices.
Assist the Office of General Counsel and agency as needed in modifying its State Plan under Title IV-E and IV-B and in obtaining documents needed for various audits conducted to meet Title IV-E requirements or other federal laws or requirements.
Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, opinions, determinations, and rulings to assist the agency in understanding and meeting its obligations under Title IV-E, IV-B, and other federal revenue sources.
Required Qualifications
Two (2) or more years of experience as a paraprofessional, including legal research experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and interact effectively with all stakeholders.
Capacity to exercise discretion while handling confidential information.
Knowledge and ability to read and understand legal documents such as decisions, briefs, opinions, and contracts.
Strong ability to write concisely and effectively to express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to conduct interviews as well as identify and resolve problems as necessary and appropriate.
TO APPLY Please upload both resume and cover letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
About the Department of Children and Families The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they can grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.
DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well‑being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will have a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child‑driven, 2) family‑centered, 3) community‑focused, 4) strength‑based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competence, and 6) committed to continuous learning.
ADA Reasonable Accommodation If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact
EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests .
Equal Opportunity 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.
Job Details
Official Title: Paralegal Specialist
Primary Location: United States, Massachusetts, Lawrence – 280 Merrimack St
Job: Legal Services
Agency: Department of Children & Families
Schedule: Full‑time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Apr 2, 2026, 1:43:29 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 65,578.50 – 94,378.44 Yearly
Bargaining Unit: 06‑NAGE – Professional Admin.
Potential Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
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Additionally, the Paralegal Specialist will assist DCF lawyers, legal managers, and peer administrative support staff to meet their requirements under state and federal law through development of external collaboration and partnerships with staff in the local Massachusetts Probation Service Offices and the local Clerk’s Offices throughout the Commonwealth.
Duties and Responsibilities
Work directly with external partners in the local Probation and Registrar/Clerks’ Offices of the Juvenile and Probate and Family Court to track and obtain all required legal documents, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verifications, to comply with State and Federal mandates needed for federal reimbursement and audits.
Assist peer administrative support staff /paralegals, lawyers, and legal managers by obtaining and sending all required legal documentation, as well as any indigency intake applications and subsequent verifications, to the Department, which are necessary to support federal reimbursements under Title IV-E of the Social Security act for foster case, adoptions or kinship guardianships in actions filed in Juvenile and Probate and Family Court.
Assist as needed in the Legal Office and Area Offices to maximize IV-E revenue. This may include assisting in the collection of necessary legal documentation from the Court, obtaining reports from Social Workers and distributing such reports as required by any Court rules.
Maintain a working relationship with the Area Office, Legal staff, and Court personnel to ensure timely processing of and obtaining the required documentation under State and Federal Law.
Perform related duties such as developing case tracking systems; preparing correspondence; operating office machines; filing required documents in an established filing system and/or electronically in the agency’s case management system.
Maintain a working relationship with the Department’s revenue unit and revenue vendor.
Meet regularly with the Department’s revenue vendor, the EOHHS revenue unit, and the Office of the General Counsel to facilitate communication and smooth operations between the revenue unit and the legal offices.
Assist the Office of General Counsel and agency as needed in modifying its State Plan under Title IV-E and IV-B and in obtaining documents needed for various audits conducted to meet Title IV-E requirements or other federal laws or requirements.
Research and analyze law sources such as statutes, recorded judicial decisions, opinions, determinations, and rulings to assist the agency in understanding and meeting its obligations under Title IV-E, IV-B, and other federal revenue sources.
Required Qualifications
Two (2) or more years of experience as a paraprofessional, including legal research experience.
Preferred Qualifications
Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgement and interact effectively with all stakeholders.
Capacity to exercise discretion while handling confidential information.
Knowledge and ability to read and understand legal documents such as decisions, briefs, opinions, and contracts.
Strong ability to write concisely and effectively to express thoughts clearly and develop ideas in logical sequence.
Ability to conduct interviews as well as identify and resolve problems as necessary and appropriate.
TO APPLY Please upload both resume and cover letter for this position when applying. First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.
About the Department of Children and Families The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is committed to upholding the fundamental mission of protecting children from abuse and neglect to ensure they can grow and thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. DCF’s vision is that all children have the right to grow up in a nurturing home, free from abuse and neglect, with access to food, shelter, clothing, health care and education.
DCF works toward establishing the safety, permanency, and well‑being of the Commonwealth's children by stabilizing and preserving families; providing quality temporary alternative care when necessary, safely reunifying families; and when necessary and appropriate, creating new families through kinship, guardianship or adoption. Preferred applicants will have a demonstrated commitment to the core practice values: 1) child‑driven, 2) family‑centered, 3) community‑focused, 4) strength‑based, 5) committed to diversity/cultural competence, and 6) committed to continuous learning.
ADA Reasonable Accommodation If you require a reasonable accommodation with the application/interview process, please contact
EOHHS Candidate ADA Requests .
Equal Opportunity 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.
Job Details
Official Title: Paralegal Specialist
Primary Location: United States, Massachusetts, Lawrence – 280 Merrimack St
Job: Legal Services
Agency: Department of Children & Families
Schedule: Full‑time
Shift: Day
Job Posting: Apr 2, 2026, 1:43:29 PM
Number of Openings: 1
Salary: 65,578.50 – 94,378.44 Yearly
Bargaining Unit: 06‑NAGE – Professional Admin.
Potential Hybrid Work Schedule: Yes
#J-18808-Ljbffr