General Counsel

JOB SUMMARY

Under general administrative direction, plans, organizes, directs, and provides professional legal services and counsel to the district in a wide variety of legal matters such as labor and employment, special education, student rights, real estate, litigation, liability, and school bonds; serves as the primary legal advisor regarding all legal matters and represents the district before a variety of administrative and legislative bodies; performs duties on behalf of the district, requiring establishment of effective working relationships with all constituents.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Provides a full range of legal services, serving as the primary legal advisor and representative of the district and ensuring compliance with applicable laws, codes, rules, and regulations.
• Consults and advises the Superintendent, Board of Education, and district administration on legal matters, while participating in the development of changes in administrative and board policies and anticipating legal effects of emerging district initiatives, programs, and projects.
• Responds to filings, subpoenas, regulatory inquiries, and compliance complaints; composes legal memoranda, briefs, reports, correspondence, and other documents.
• Represents the district in a variety of legal proceeding including public meetings, trials, employee disciplinary hearings, mediations, prehearing conferences, and administrative hearings.
• Prepares written opinions and conducts independent research concerning legal relationships, duties, obligations, and rights involving district policies, programs, and projects.
• Appears before a variety of federal, state, and local legislative bodies to represent the district’s interest and present the district’s position on a variety of issues and to provide required information to various agencies as requested and appropriate.
• Assists administration in the drafting of rules, regulations, settlements, contracts, resolutions, agreements, legal forms, and other documents.
• Analyzes proposed and existing legislative bills and subsequent amendments relating to public education and district activities and operations; reports recommendations to district administration; drafts legislation and prepares amendments to proposed and existing legislation.
• Discusses legal needs with the Superintendent, Board of Education, district administration, and other staff.
• Evaluates a variety of legal issues and recommends retainment of outside counsel as needed.
• Directs and manages the delivery of legal services provided by the district or private counsel retained by the district including the preparation of pleadings, briefs, litigation, negotiation between parties, conduct of trials, necessary court appearances, and appellate arguments.
• Serves as a resource and communicates with administrators, district staff, and outside agencies to coordinate activities, resolve issues, and exchange information; advises administration of unusual trends or issues and recommends appropriate action.  
• Maintains and directs the preparation and maintenance of reports, records, and files related to assigned activities; researches, compiles data and prepares detailed reports regarding assigned activities.
• Represents the district and participates in a variety of meetings, conferences, and trainings; attends Board of Education meetings; serves on assigned committees; conducts presentations as requested.
• Develops and conducts staff development in-service training workshops for district staff. 

Education and Experience: Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school and seven years of experience practicing law including some experience providing legal counsel to school districts, educational institutions, or public agencies. Experience working with K-12 school districts in California is preferred. Legal experience working or interning at a California school district is desired. Part-time experience will be considered and adjusted appropriately.  Any other combination of training and experience which would likely provide the required skills, knowledge and abilities may be considered.

License:  Must possess and maintain active membership and good standing in the State Bar of California throughout employment in this classification.

KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:

• Applicable laws, codes, rules and regulations related to assigned activities including California Education, Government, and Labor Codes; and Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).
• Methods and procedures required to provide legal services to administration and governing body of a public agency.
• Legal concepts, terminology, principles and procedures.
• Rules of evidence and conduct of court proceedings.
• Conflict resolution and mediation techniques.
• State Bar of California Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Methods and practices of legal research.
• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes.
• District organization, operations, policies and objectives.
• Record-keeping and report preparation techniques.
• Budget preparation and control.
• Investigation procedures and techniques.
• Management, supervision, and training techniques.
• Effective office management procedures, including job-related computer software programs.

Ability to: 

• Performs a variety of professional duties involved in providing a full range of legal services related to public education and district activities and operations.
• Represent the district in a variety of legal proceedings and hearings.
• Compose legal memoranda, briefs, reports, correspondence and other documents.
• Research legal issues and prepare sounds legal opinions.
• Develop administrative policies, procedures, rules, and regulations related to public education.
• Interpret, apply and explain laws, codes, rules, regulations, policies and procedures.
• Review existing and pending legislation related to public education and district activities and operations.
• Analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action.
• Maintain current knowledge of laws, codes, rules and regulations governing public education and district activities and operations.
• Prepare and direct the preparation of a variety of comprehensive narrative and statistical reports.
• Assimilate and evaluate data and prepare sound recommendations based on such information.
• Prepare and deliver oral presentations.
• Monitor and control expenditures.
• Think critically and analytically.
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive and privileged information.
• Understand and work within scope of authority.
• Prepare and present clear and comprehensive reports.
• Operate a computer and assigned software.
• Communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with employees, employee organizations, other administrators, and the public.
• Manage, train, supervise, and evaluate others.

HOW TO APPLY: Applications must be completed on our website at www.ggusd.us. Please note that the district office will not be giving out or accepting hard copy applications for those recruitments that are online only. Please read each posting carefully or call our office if you have any questions. All applications should be received by the Personnel Commission Office by 5:00 p.m. on the last day to file.

EXAMINATION FOR TUBERCULOSIS: Proof of freedom from active tuberculosis must be furnished prior to employment and must be based upon an intradermal Mantoux tuberculin skin test completed within the last 60days.

FINGERPRINTING: All new employees will be fingerprinted.

BENEFITS: All classified employees receive the following:

• Up to 22 paid vacation days per year
• Up to 14 paid holidays per year
• Up to 12 sick leave days per year with unlimited accumulation
• Social Security coverage

All regular classified employees who are employed 30 hours or more a week are eligible for the following additional benefits:

• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance for the employee and family
• Life Insurance for the employee
• Generous Retirement Plan (CalPERS)

  9701.89 (Revised: 7/24)