Associate Legal Counsel and Equity Compliance Officer - Educational Services Center

JOB SUMMARY: Provide in-house legal counsel and compliance support to the District on student, employment, governance, and operational matters. Lead Section 504 compliance efforts, support IDEA-related matters, and investigate student discrimination complaints and other assigned compliance matters. Advise District staff and administrators on federal and state laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and risk management issues. Draft and review policies, contracts, legal responses, and other documents to support District operations and legal compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to promote equitable, legally compliant educational practices. Serve as a member of the Administration Council (AdCo).

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: The subsequent duties outline the fundamental operations of the position and exemplify the nature of the tasks carried out. They do not encompass a comprehensive inventory of the obligations and responsibilities fulfilled in this role. The approximation of frequencies and time allocation percentages are flexible and subject to the requirements of the organization. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS: This job has supervisor responsibilities including, but not limited to, interviewing, hiring, directing work, assigning work, supervising work, training, evaluating, disciplining, and terminating. Direct reports:

• Department Administrative Specialist

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: The minimum prerequisites of formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other criteria that a candidate must fulfill to be considered for a position. It is essential that certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, and trainings are fulfilled, valid, and not expired.

• Criminal background check and fingerprinting required


• Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution


• Bachelor's degree


• Three (3) years of legal experience in education law or experience representing public entities


• Demonstrated skills in problem solving legal issues for school districts


• Demonstrated skills in working collaboratively with school staff, administrators, and other legal team staff members


• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office tools


• Advanced verbal and written communication skills


• Advanced interpersonal relations skills


• Advanced knowledge of Lexis, Westlaw, SpecialEd Connection, and other similar legal research databases

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS AND WORKING CONDITIONS: The physical demands, mental functions, cognitive capacities, and work environment factors required to perform a position’s essential functions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work location is subject to change to meet the requirements of the organization


• Light work strength level (lifting or carrying up to 25 pounds)


• Primarily works indoors


• Typically a quiet noise level

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS: Formal education, professional work experience, certifications, licenses, endorsements, designations, trainings, and other qualifications relevant to the position that are strongly preferred but not mandatory for a candidate to be considered.

• Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education


• Experience in special education law


• Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds


• Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement