Training Director - CAFL Training Unit

Commonwealth of Massachusetts•Boston, MA

6d•Remote

About The Position

CPCS is seeking applications for the Training Director of the Children and Family Law (CAFL) Training Unit. The CAFL Training Unit is part of the Training Department of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, which provides high-quality training to all staff and private assigned counsel. The office location for this position is negotiable and may be sited in any available CPCS office, depending on the needs of the candidate, Training Department, and available space. CPCS fights for equal justice and human dignity by supporting its clients in achieving their legal and life goals, zealously advocating for the rights of individuals and promoting just public policy to protect the rights of all. CPCS is the state agency in Massachusetts responsible for providing an attorney when the state or federal constitution or a state statute requires the appointment of an attorney for a person who cannot afford to retain one. The agency provides representation in criminal, delinquency, youthful offender, family regulation, guardianship, mental health, sexually dangerous person, and sex offender registry cases, as well as in appeals and post-conviction and post-judgment proceedings related to those matters. The CPCS Training Department develops and delivers comprehensive, practice-driven education for staff and private assigned counsel across all areas of public defense. Through a team of experienced practice area trainers in Criminal Defense, Children and Family Law, Youth Advocacy, and Mental Health Litigation, the Department provides rigorous substantive instruction alongside advanced skills training that reflects the realities of modern indigent defense practice. Our programming is informed by evolving law, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the lived needs of the clients we serve, and is designed to meet the highest standards of excellence in public defense training nationwide. In addition to core practice-area offerings, the Department leads agency-wide training initiatives in areas such as appellate and post-trial advocacy; emerging adult representation; forensic issues; holistic defense; leadership, management, and professional development; and wellness. These integrated training pathways equip attorneys not only with technical legal proficiency, but with the strategic, collaborative, and management competencies required for effective client-centered advocacy. By investing in continuous professional development, the Training Department strengthens the quality, consistency, and impact of representation provided by CPCS staff and private counsel statewide. CAFL delivers legal services to children, parents and young adults in care and protection/termination of parental rights, child requiring assistance (CRA), and guardianship of minor proceedings in the Juvenile and Probate Courts of Massachusetts. CAFL is dedicated to providing client-centered, holistic, zealous advocacy to the clients it serves. The CAFL Training Unit works closely with CAFL leadership to ensure all staff and private bar attorneys receive the training, resources and support they need to provide high-quality representation to their clients. The CAFL Training Director works within the Training Department under the supervision of the Training Chief and in consultation with the CAFL Deputy Chief Counsel to develop and deliver training for CPCS staff and privately assigned counsel throughout the state. The Training Director also oversees the development of written resources and provides advice on cases, court practice, and legal strategies. The Training Director collaborates with others within the Training Department to create and offer training on core competencies for the benefit of all CPCS clients. The CAFL Training Director is a member of the CAFL leadership team and provides advice on CAFL performance standards, proposed legislation and other policy issues.

Requirements

Must be eligible to practice law in this jurisdiction as a member of the Massachusetts bar in good standing, or as an attorney in another jurisdiction who is eligible to engage in limited Massachusetts practice under Supreme Judicial Court Rule 3:04
Minimum of 7 years of experience as a family regulation/child welfare attorney and two years of experience as a manager, supervisor, or trainer with knowledge of training principles and practices for adult learners, or an equivalent combination of education, training, and experience
Access to an automobile in order to travel to offices, courts, and training locations that are not easily accessible by public transportation
Access to home internet access sufficient to work remotely

Nice To Haves

Commitment to working with a culturally diverse population and an understanding of the biases affecting our clients
Knowledge of training principles and practices for adult learners
Knowledge of training evaluation and needs assessments
Ability to develop curriculum and training materials and present information to audiences in a clear and engaging manner
Ability to facilitate small group discussion and coach skills exercises to maximize learning for the participants
Ability to organize event logistics
Ability to work concurrently on multiple short-term and long-range projects
Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively, orally and in writing
Ability to assess the training needs of the CAFL bar
Skills in supervision and performance coaching
Excellent administrative and supervisory skills
Skilled in the use of technology to support distance learning through knowledge management and learning management systems as well as video-based webinars
Excellent organizational, time management, and analytical skills
Demonstrated commitment to the principle of zealous, client-centered advocacy in the representation of indigent persons in CAFL matters
Understanding of, and commitment to, providing reasonable accommodations and accessibility in trainings

Responsibilities

Designing, implementing, and evaluating training programs for CPCS staff attorneys and private panel attorneys
Presenting lectures, facilitating large and small group discussions, and providing coaching and feedback at skills exercises and mock hearings
Working with CAFL leadership to assess the training needs of CPCS staff and the private bar
Supervising members of the CAFL Training Unit, including promoting the professional development of staff and completing annual staff performance evaluations in a timely and comprehensive manner
Researching, preparing, and publishing training materials, legal outlines, practice guides, and practice advisories
Preparing the CAFL annual training plan
Working with Training Department administrative support personnel on oversight of the CAFL training budget and the federal Court Improvement Program grant
Identifying, recruiting, and coaching qualified CPCS staff members and the private bar to help plan and teach at CAFL training programs
Supporting the CAFL resource attorneys (private contracted attorneys) to provide training to practitioners in their local jurisdictions
Overseeing CAFL email listservs, webpages and electronic research sites
As a member of the Training Department, collaborating with others to plan and implement cross divisional and agency-wide training programs
Providing advice to staff and private attorneys on individual cases
Staying up to date on practice issues and emerging laws that affect clients, attorneys, investigators, and social workers
Participating in statewide task forces and working groups related to CAFL practice
Working with the Training Leaders Group within the Training Department to develop an overall vision for CPCS training needs and to develop cross practice area trainings and CPCS Core Competency Training
Other duties as assigned