Assistant General Counsel - Temporary

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

This position will provide temporary coverage for a leave of absence. We are looking for someone to start as soon as possible and stay with us through the summer.

Desired Start Date: 05/12/2025

Assistant General Counsel
Temporary Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000 , Hours/Day: 8.000 , Days/Year: Temporary
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA - Administrator - 229 days , G12, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $127,982.00 - $152,957.50 Effective as of: 06-16-2024

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $54.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

SUMMARY: Provide District-wide, general in-house legal support including, but not limited to, day to day advice to District staff and administration as needed in a variety of employment and school law matters. Represent the District in both court and administrative proceedings as needed. Provide legal support to district strategic and tactical plans and proactively anticipate legal issues affecting the District.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

Support the Chief Legal Counsel in their responsibilities to the Superintendent and the Board of Education on legal issues affecting the district. This will include providing legal advice, training, and representation as directed by the Chief Legal Counsel.

Work with district leadership to review pending legislation, and assist with response to public records requests and subpoenas.

Assist the Chief Legal Counsel in the development and revision of Board of Education and district policies.

In the absence of the Chief Legal Counsel, attend meetings as directed and provide legal support and advice. Provide guidance to District staff as needed consistent with Chief Legal Counsel's direction.

As appropriate, represent the District's legal interest during meetings, arbitration, hearings, negotiations, and telephone conferences.

Advise the Board of Education on pending legal matters and Board compliance with open meetings and open records laws.

As appropriate, review a wide variety of written correspondence and legal documents for the District including contracts, leases, policies, agreements, and position statements.

Assist in drafting and reviewing legal documents including, but not limited to negotiated agreements and position statements in response to CCRD, EEOC, OCR and other regulatory agencies.

Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances and other legal authorities and anticipate potential litigation and administrative claims, gather necessary information, perform investigations and align resources.

Advise and counsel district administrators on the teacher non-renewal and dismissal processes; handle, or support outside counsel in litigation of these matters. Prepare dismissal documentation for review by outside attorney.
Other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE 3 years' experience as a practicing member of the Bar. Requires legal experience in labor/employment law; employment and personnel law; and student rights laws. Experience negotiating collective bargaining agreements and experience with broader range of education law issues preferred but not required. Preferred experience in education law, employment law, or representing public entities in the state of Colorado.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Active license to practice law in the State of Colorado. Valid Colorado driver's license.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT Demonstrated skill in researching and interpreting laws, regulations, and court opinions. Knowledge of Colorado education law. Specific knowledge of EEO laws, including Title IX, Title VII, ADA, FMLA, and IDEA. Excellent communication and writing skills. A demonstrated ability to problem solve complex problems affecting multiple stakeholders. Working knowledge with information technology software (i.e., PeopleSoft and Microsoft Office, Infinite Campus, Enrich).

DECISION MAKING Decision making requires independent judgment; legal interpretation; and analysis and application of District, federal, state, and local policies, regulations, and laws to implement policies, laws, and legislation affecting employees,
Students, and the public and to represent the District in employment, grievances, disputes, education, contract negotiation, and ADA matters. Responsible for leading case management teams to determine appropriate consequences or discipline. The quality of these decisions has a profound impact on the climate and culture of the organization.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS Daily contact with district leaders and staff. Demonstrated ability to maintain strong working relationships, provide superior customer service, and negotiate resolutions to contested matters. Daily contact with department peers and must be able to coordinate efforts and provide assistance as necessary to accomplish department and district objectives.

SPAN OF CONTROL Provide representation for the school district in court and other administrative proceedings, including truancy cases, expulsion hearings, mediations, TECDA hearings, etc. Direct and supervise district investigations as needed.

EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY Provide support to schools and students by providing direction, advice, influence, and training to District leadership. Provide direct services to District leadership and departments by resolving legal issues and by providing legal training, analysis, and support. The majority of time is not spent on the school site.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK Work assigned by the Chief Legal Counsel as well as self-assigned and directed. Requires independent judgment and global thinking within applicable rules and the ability to develop solutions where policies and procedures are not clearly defined. Must have a comprehensive understanding of all rules, regulations, and contracts affecting the District, its employees, and students. Must analyze all facts and circumstances involved, utilize objective and rational reasoning, and understand the impact the decision will have from a global perspective.

The physical demands, mental functions, and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to stand; walk; sit; and use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to compare, analyze, communicate, coordinate, instruct, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, and negotiate. The employee is frequently required to reflect on systemic processes to identify areas that could fail and identify appropriate corrective mechanisms to prevent such events, as well as compute and compile. The employee is occasionally required to copy.

WORK ENVIRONMENT While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Jeffco Salary Schedules

Jeffco Benefits

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.