General Counsel

Overview

3 weeks ago Be among the first 25 applicants

This position is open until filled. Priority consideration will be given to applicants who apply by January 22.

The General Counsel serves as the principal legal advisor to the School Board, the Superintendent, and senior District administrators; provides expertise in specialized legal areas, including school district governance, labor and employment law, and capital projects; oversees the management of litigation and other adversary proceedings; and supervises staff within the General Counsel’s office, including attorneys, legal assistants, and public records and Risk Management staff.

The General Counsel is expected to exercise sound professional judgment with minimal direction from the Superintendent and School Board, based upon experience and practice as a lawyer or in a government position.

30% (Leadership)

• Leads and supervises a team of attorneys, legal assistants, records officers, and risk management personnel.
• Serves as a member of the District’s executive leadership team.
• Oversees development and implementation of departmental budget.

30% (Legal advisor to Board and executive leadership)

• Attends School Board meetings, advises the Board on parliamentary procedure and open public meetings issues, and responds to inquiries from Board Directors as necessary.
• Serves as principal legal advisor to the Superintendent, School Board, and senior District administrators.
• Consults with and advises District’s ethics officer.
• Maintains current knowledge of legislative, legal and regulatory developments affecting the District.

30% (Manages District Litigation)

• Manages the District’s caseload in litigation, arbitrations, administrative hearings, and other adversary procedures.
• Oversees the work of outside counsel, including providing direction on litigation decisions and settlement authority.
• Participates in District litigation.
• Works closely with the District’s insurer (the Washington Schools Risk Management Pool).

10% (Governmental relations)

• Serves as District representative and liaison to other governmental and regulatory agencies.

• Serves as Assistant Secretary to the School Board.
• Takes a lead role in training District staff.
• Acts as District representative in regional and national organizations focused on education law, including the Council of School Attorneys and the Council of Great City Schools.

Communicates a compelling and inspired vision or sense of core purpose; makes the vision shareable by everyone; can inspire and motivate entire units or organizations.

• Develops a clear sense of purpose and mission that captures the imagination of others.
• Shares vision in a way that influences others as demonstrated by their words and actions.
• Anticipates and identifies long–term, future organizational needs and opportunities.

Holds self and others accountable for measurable high–quality, timely and cost–effective results; determines objectives, sets priorities and delegates work; accepts responsibility for mistakes; complies with established control systems and rules.

• Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
• Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
• Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
• Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
• Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.

Accurately determines the length and difficulty of tasks and projects; sets clear, realistic and measurable goals; sets priorities and time parameters to accomplish tasks and projects; anticipates roadblocks and develops contingencies to redirect tasks so momentum is not lost.

• Allocates and coordinates time effectively and efficiently to avoid conflicts.
• Anticipates potential problems and develops plans to address them.
• Develops an appropriate work plan to achieve results.
• Monitors progress, responds to problems and measures performance.

Performs work with energy and drive; values…