General Counsel

Job Description

Plans, administers, coordinates, and directs the Office of Law. Supervises professional and administrative staff. Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, Board of Education, senior staff, schools, administrators, and others regarding all legal matters including employment, construction, contracts, special education, student disciplinary matters, student due process rights, the search and seizure of students, sexual harassment, discrimination, Title IX, Maryland Open Meetings Act compliance, Maryland Public Information Act compliance, and related legal matters.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Serves as the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) system's primary legal advisor.
• Provides leadership, planning, and direction for the Office of Law to ensure their support of and alignment with the system-wide goals and priorities.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates attorneys, paralegals, and other staff. Coordinates and reviews the work of outside counsel. Coordinates the work of the Law Office with the programs and activities of other departments and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, schools administrators, and others regarding a variety of legal issues. Confers with the Superintendent.
• Assists the school system in compliance with and creation of Board of Education Policies and Superintendent Rules.
• Responds to and directs the school system's response to complaints such as those filed with state and federal administrative agencies, including the Office for Civil Rights, Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education, the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools in arbitrations, administrative hearings and in judicial proceedings. Represents BCPS at meetings, public hearings, and conferences. Negotiates settlement agreements.
• Reviews legislation, judicial decisions, and state and federal agency opinions. Keeps current with pertinent legislation, regulations, and case law involving students, public employees and public bodies.
• Prepares witnesses, presents arguments, and provides representation to the school system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and

Experience:

• Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience with legal issues involving public schools, students' rights, including the rights of students with disabilities, litigation, labor arbitration, settlement, and administrative hearings.
• Licenses and Certificates:
• Admission to the Bar of Maryland.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices. Knowledge of legal research.
• Knowledge of Maryland education law.
• Knowledge of litigation involving administrative agencies and courts.
• Knowledge of the Open Meetings Act.
• Knowledge of the Maryland Public Information Act.
• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Knowledge of special education law.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures followed by local school systems.
• Skill in the practice of law. Skill in conducting legal research.
• Skill in conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
• Skill in providing legal opinions. Skill in communicating effectively.
• Skill in developing effective working relationships with school administrators.
• Skill in oral advocacy.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical and Environmental Conditions:

The work of this class is generally sedentary and performed in an office environment. Work includes the operation of office equipment, including personal computers, and occasional limited physical activities. Duties require travel to schools and facilities throughout Baltimore County. Position may require other travel.

Conditions of Employment:

May require work beyond regularly scheduled work hours with little or no advanced notice.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required .

FLSA: Exempt

Benefits: BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans. Other benefits include paid holidays, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves. All new hires will attend a benefits meeting upon hire.

Visit the BCPS website for additional information about benefit plans for BCPS employees at
https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below)._retirement

Retirement: Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System.

This class specification defines the types of duties and level of…