Assistant General Counsel

Days per Year: 226

Min: $124,890

Mid: $150,471

JOB DESCRIPTION

JOB TITLE: Assistant General Counsel                                                             

REPORTS TO: General Counsel

WAGE/HOUR STATUS: Exempt  

PRIMARY PURPOSE: 

The Assistant General Counsel assists the General Counsel in advising the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Trustees and staff members on District matters, including interpretation of statutes, case law, contracts, student rights and employee relations.  He/she represents the District in judicial and administrative proceedings and generates responses to inquiries by federal, state and local agencies.  He/she also reviews contracts relating to District business and operations for legal sufficiency.  

The Assistant General Counsel also serves as the District’s Public Information Officer.

The Assistant General Counsel must act with integrity, support organizational goals, demonstrate the ability to inspire, grow and motivate others, utilize feedback, drive for results and commit to championing the needs of the students, employees and overall District.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited University 
• Active member in good standing of the State Bar of Texas 
• 3 years’ experience in public school law or representing governmental entities

 Preferred:

• 5 years’ experience in public school law 
• Experience handling requests for information under the Texas Public Information Act for a governmental entity
• 3 years’ experience reviewing governmental contracts 

 SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS:

• Knowledge of local, state, and federal laws, and regulations relating to school law, including student rights, employment, contract and policy issues.
• Knowledge of the laws, regulations and procedures relating to the Texas Public Information Act.
• Ability to research and interpret law, policy, and procedures, particularly in the areas of school, employment, contract, and administrative law.
• Skill in listening and understanding verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Skill in obtaining, producing, clarifying, interpreting, and conveying information.
• Ability to set, prioritize and meet deadlines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written forms at all levels of the organization.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with a variety of people in diverse settings.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES:

• Reviews contracts relating to District business and operations for legal sufficiency.  
• Manages and generates responses to public information requests and timely request opinions from the Texas Attorney General regarding requests under the Texas Public Information Act.
• Prepares legal documents including, but not limited to responses to investigations by the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other federal and state agencies.
• Provides legal advice to the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Trustees and staff members on a variety of legal matters including, but not limited to interpretation and application of statutes, case law, contracts, student rights, student discipline and employee relations.
• Represents the District in a variety of legal proceedings including, but not limited to court proceedings, hearings and grievances, arbitrations, administrative proceedings, and student discipline hearings.  
• Researches and answers a variety of legal questions from the Superintendent of Schools, the Board of Trustees, and staff members regarding the legality of District actions and policies. 
• Provides legal assistance to District’s hearing officer(s) for student, parent, community member, and employee complaints, grievances, and appeals as required by policy.
• Provides professional development training of District staff members in legal areas, including but not limited to student rights, employee relations, and federal, state, local and District statutes, policies and procedures.
• Provides legal updates to the Board, Superintendent and staff members concerning new laws, regulations and pending legislation pertaining to school law.

• Assumes responsibility for his/her own professional development for keeping current with statutes, case law and administrative procedures in school law.
• Serves in the absence of the General Counsel for the purpose of ensuring the Board of Trustees has legal advice available for all meetings.
• Performs all other duties as assigned. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: 

The usual and customary methods of performing the job’s functions require the following physical demands:  physical mobility, standing, prolonged sitting, some lifting, carrying, pushing and/or pulling.  This position will also require both traveling within the district and statewide. Mental demands: ability to solve problems and deal with a variety of situations; ability to interpret a variety of data; ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory of instructional programs; ability to be effective in both oral and written communication; ability to maintain emotional control under stress.

The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.