Legal Intern

The POST Commission is governed by, and enforces, Chapter 6E of the Massachusetts General Laws. Pursuant to that statute, the POST Commission collaborates with the Commonwealth's Municipal Police Training Committee (MPTC) in several areas of its work.

The POST Commission is looking for an individual to join the growing team of the Division of Police Standards ("Division") as a part-time or temporary Legal Intern. To be eligible, the individual must be currently enrolled in law school. Working under the direction of the Division's Director, or the Director's designee, the Legal Intern will contribute substantively to the Division's interesting legal work. The Division advances the Commission's purpose by diligently investigating allegations of officer misconduct, and advocating for disciplinary outcomes that are fair, consistent, and engender the trust of both the public-at-large and the members of the law enforcement profession. The Division also works to provide transparency in the law enforcement profession by ensuring that accurate disciplinary records are available to the public.

Please note that pursuant to state law, no employee of the Division of Police Standards shall have previously been employed as a law enforcement officer, previously employed by a law enforcement agency or be a retired law enforcement officer or retired from a law enforcement agency. This provision does not apply to former law enforcement officers from jurisdictions outside of Massachusetts.

FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Legal Intern will work closely with other members of the Division and will be assigned to complete a variety of tasks. The Legal Intern will be expected to adhere to applicable sources of law and serve the public ethically at all times. The Legal Intern's primary responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to, the following:

• Complete projects relative to the accuracy and transparency of the Commission's public disciplinary records database;
• Conduct legal research, draft memoranda, and other tasks in support of Division attorneys in their investigations and litigation;
• Drafting summaries of prior cases to ensure consistency in the Division's practices;
• Observing adjudicatory hearings relating to discipline of law enforcement officers; and
• Other duties as may be assigned by the Legal Intern's supervisor.

WORK SCHEDULE

The Legal Intern will be expected to work between15 and 37.50 hours a week. Customized schedules may be worked out with approval of the Director. The Legal Intern's employment term may begin after March 23, 2025, and extends for a period of three months. Longer periods will be allowed at the discretion of the Director. The Legal Intern must be able to travel to the Boston Office location a minimum of two times per week. The POST Commission will provide the selected candidate with a laptop for work purposes.

COMPENSATION

The hourly rate for a Legal Intern is $20/hour.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLYING

To be considered for the position, apply through MassCareers by April 30, 2025, and include a cover letter, a resume, and at least one writing sample reflecting your own work. You are strongly encouraged to discuss or demonstrate any experience with the areas listed above in your application. If you are interested in multiple positions that have been posted by the Commission, you are encouraged to apply for all such positions.

Applications submitted after the date set forth above will be considered at the discretion of the Commission. The Commission reserves the ability to refrain from considering any application that is submitted after that date or omits a required item.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

The Commission is committed to building a diverse staff across its entire agency and at all levels. The Commission is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

It is the policy of the Commission and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to afford equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals, without regard to their race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, citizenship status, veteran status, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic or status that is protected by federal, state, or local law. Females, minorities, veterans, persons with disabilities, and those who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive are strongly encouraged to apply.

NOTICE OF REQUIRED BACKGROUND CHECK - INCLUDING TAX COMPLIANCE

The POST Commission requires a background check on all prospective employees as a condition of employment.

Candidates should be aware of this requirement but should also know that such a background check is not initiated until:

1. A candidate is invited to a second or subsequent interview; and
2. The candidate has signed the Background Check Authorization Form and related releases.

This background check includes a check of Criminal Offender Record Information, Federal IRS, and Massachusetts Department of Revenue tax compliance on all prospective employees as a condition of their employment.

Candidates with advanced degrees and professional licenses may have these credentials verified. Individuals other than those references provided by a candidate may be contacted while a full background and qualification check is completed.

Qualifications

DESIRED QUALITIES

The POST Commission is looking for an individual who will demonstrate the following qualities while serving as a Legal Intern:

• Demonstrated interest in the mission of the POST Commission, and/ or the law enforcement profession;
• The ability to understand a complex regulatory and statutory scheme and apply it to the Division's work;
• Strong interpersonal and organizational skills;
• The ability to conduct legal research and apply the results to applicable fact patterns;
• The ability to prioritize and complete multiple projects under time constraints and with available resources;
• The ability to work independently and in a team environment;
• The ability to exercise discretion in handling confidential and sensitive information;
• Proficiency with computers and the Microsoft Office Suite (Outlook, Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint); and a willingness to learn state-and Commission-specific systems; and
• A willingness and ability to report to work in the Commission's Boston office on a hybrid schedule.