What are the responsibilities and job description for the Deputy General Counsel position at Detroit Public Schools Community District?

Job Description

Job Title

Position Title : Deputy General Counsel

Location : Fisher Building, 3011 W. Grand Blvd., Detroit, MI 48202

Salary : $160,000 - $175,000

Reports to : General Counsel

Bargaining Unit : N / A

Benefits Eligible : Yes

Telecommuting Eligibility : Hybrid. Eligible for up to 60% telecommuting ( i.e. , 3 days remote work) subject to successful completion of probationary period(s). Thereafter, continued telecommuting will be allowed subject to positive performance reviews and applicable policies and administrative guidelines.

Position Summary :

The Deputy General Counsel provides legal guidance to the General Counsel, Superintendent, School Board and school district administrators on both litigation and transactional matters regarding, but not limited to : (i) school law; (ii) employment matters (iii) police matters; (iv) torts; (v) breach of contract; (vi) civil rights; (vii) constitutional law; (viii) teacher tenure; (ix) commercial law; (x) real estate; (xi) transactions; (xii) financing and bonds; (xiv) contract preparation, drafting, negotiation and review; (xv) partnership and memorandum of understanding ("MOU") agreement preparation, negotiation, drafting and review; (xvi) charter schools; (xvii) statutory and regulatory interpretation.

The Deputy General Counsel must be able to : (i) serve as the administrator in charge in the absence of the General Counsel; (ii) provide guidance and management to the Civil Rights and Compliance Department; (iii) assist with drafting and updating of District policies; (iv) assist the General Counsel in the preparation of the annual budget for both the Office of the General Counsel and the Civil Rights and Compliance Department, including expenditures for outside counsel and consultants; (v) provide in-service training to staff; (vi) assists in the assignment, and monitors the assignment and handling of both litigation and transactional matters as assigned by the General Counsel and makes recommendations to the General Counsel regarding same; (vii) establish and refine departmental processes and metrics and managing / tracking same; and (viii) complete other tasks as assigned by the General Counsel.

The Deputy General Counsel must have an active and extensive understanding of (or a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to quickly learn) the above facets of law. A Deputy General Counsel should possess expert interpersonal relationship, critical thinking, organizational, writing and researching skills. Also, must exhibit high attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks, initiative and a willingness to complete varied tasks.

Minimum Qualifications :

Education

Law Degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school (Required)
License in good standing to practice law in the State of Michigan (Required)
Additional graduate level education (e.g., Master of Business Administration) is desirable

Experience

Ten (10) to fifteen (15) years of experience as a practicing attorney to include experience working in a law firm, corporation, governmental agency, non-profit business, school district or institution of higher learning (Preferred)

Experience in trial work

Experience in civil litigation (researching, drafting and arguing pleadings from complaint / answer, discovery and depositions, trial and appeal)

Experience litigating employment maters (Preferred)

Experience in special education law (Preferred)

Experience with statutory construction, research, review and interpretation

Experience in conducting research via traditional means and by using computer-based legal research systems (e.g., Westlaw or LexisNexis) and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word and Excel

Experience working with and supervising outside counsel (Preferred)

Experience in contract preparation, negotiation, review, drafting and editing

Experience in real estate (leases, purchase agreements, land contract agreements, deeds and conveyance documents, negotiations, cell tower issues, etc.)

Experience in drafting and revising policies

Experience in bond / finance and other transactional matters

Experience with charter schools laws and matters

Strong interpersonal, excellent verbal and written communication skills and executive presence necessary to effectively interact with Board Members, Superintendent, senior level managers, individuals throughout the school system and individuals external to the school district

Experience with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other privacy statutory compliance (preferred)

Experience with Freedom of Information Act and other statutory compliance (Preferred)

Ability to quickly and accurately respond to school-based issues and questions (Preferred).

Required Attributes for Success in Position

Strong interpersonal skills

Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Professional presence necessary to effectively interact with individuals throughout the school system as well as individuals external to the district

Strong analytical skills

Excellent organizational skills

Able to work under pressure and to assume / complete several tasks at a time

Must be self-motivated, demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize work and to meet strict deadlines

Exhibit a professional, positive attitude

Detailed oriented and self-motivated

Can work autonomously and as part of a team

Regular Attendance is critical; must have an exemplary attendance record

Demonstrated proactive approaches to problem-solving with strong decision-making capability

Proven ability to handle confidential information with discretion

Demonstrated ability to achieve high performance goals and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Able to work in a cross-departmental fashion

Essential Functions :

Provides legal advice and counsel to administrators

Represent the district in lawsuits, alternative dispute resolution and administrative hearings

Prepare, drafts, review all pleadings and submit same to General Counsel for approval before filing

As necessary, negotiate, prepare, draft, review agreements (MOUs, MOAs, Partnership Agreements, etc .) relating to the school district - and submit recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such agreements

Review and interpret statutes and regulations

Provide oral legal advice and written legal opinions to the General Counsel, senior management, and Superintendent and / or School Board

As necessary, act as Hearing Officer in the Student Code of Conduct Due Process Hearings

Draft and review FOIA response

Review documents, policies, regulations, action items within the school district for accuracy, consequences and legal policy implications on an ongoing basis and communicate concerns regarding such on a prompt basis to the General Counsel

Conduct legal research

Manage and / or provide guidance regarding Civil Rights, Title IX and Compliance matters

Design, manage and track department operating procedures, processes and metrics.

Perform additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel (or Designee)

Security Clearance : Internal Applicants

If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.

External Applicants

In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.

Method of Application :

Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.

Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.

Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at [email protected] or phone at (313) 873-6897.

DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, religion, height, weight, citizenship, marital or family status, military status, ancestry, genetic information, or any other legally protected category, in its educational programs and activities, including employment and admissions opportunities. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org / compliance.

Salary : $160,000 - $175,000

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