POSITION SUMMARY:
Under the direction of the General Counsel, the individual
in this position will be responsible for matters relating to human resources,
union negotiations, procurement procedures and contract review, student appeal
matters, responses to Maryland Public Information Act requests, responses on
civil rights issues, Open Meetings Act Compliance, drafting and reviewing of
Board Policies and school system Administrative Procedures, interpretation of
Federal and State education-related laws and legislation, and litigation. In addition, responsibilities shall include
providing opinions and advice of counsel to the Superintendent of Schools and
school system executive level staff on Federal and State issues impacting
public education.
DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
Drafts
and reviews contracts, including new school construction and renovation
contracts, architect agreements, construction management agreements, assisting
with drafting, review and implementation of procurement regulations and
procedures;
Handles
grievances, negotiations, employee appeals, employee complaints and other
employment matters;
Provides
legal advice at expulsion hearings, drafting decisions;
Responds
to daily calls from schools and regional offices on custody issues, subpoenas,
and requests for student and employee records and other matters;
Responds
to requests for information in accordance with the Maryland Public Information
Act;
Manages
and evaluates liability claims;
Responds
to EEOC and Office of Civil Rights Complaints;
Provides
advice of counsel on Open Meetings Act Compliance;
Drafts
and reviews of Board Policies and Administrative Procedures, interpretation of
legislation;
Provides
advice of counsel to the Superintendent of Schools and executive level staff on
Federal and State issues impacting public education;
Assists
in managing all functions of the department and manages departmental activities
in the absence of the General Counsel;
Effective
management of high level case load; and
Some
Court litigation and administrative hearing appeals, including in the area of
special education.
QUALIFICATIONS:The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
Demonstrated experience in employment law and Human Resources issue resolution;
Litigation experience;
Government procurement and/or contract drafting and review; and
Minimum of 8 years' experience.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:
Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school; admitted to the Maryland Bar; legal experience with a school board, or public/private organization requiring responsibility in a majority of the content areas listed under Major Duties.
CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provides
guidance and direction to assigned personnel.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Highly demanding and fast-paced; frequently required to work long hours and annual leave may be limited during specified timeframes.