Director of Policy and Legal Services (536)

Work Location: District Office

FTE: 1.0

Contract Days: 242 Days (reflects full year)

Priority Screen Date: Close of business on January 27, 2025

Anticipated Start Date: February 2025

FLSA Status: Exempt

Benefits: Eligible

Starting Salary: Administrator #8, Lane VI (Salary Range from $127,426-$147,775)

Interview Date: TBD

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JOB SUMMARY: 

In fulfilling the goals and mission of the district, the Director of Policy and Legal Services (Director), performs a variety of duties to include, but not limited to providing legal counsel, representation, research, and conducting and overseeing investigations for the Salt Lake City School District (District) as directed by and subject to the supervision of General Counsel. The Director must also maintain a working knowledge and provide direction to ensure compliance of federal, state, and local laws and regulations in order to provide information and recommendations to District staff.

MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Juris Doctorate Degree from an accredited law school.
2. Current active license to practice law in the State of Utah and federal courts.
3. A minimum of three (3) years’ experience in the practice of law, including substantial litigation experience in the courtroom or administrative hearings.
4. Professional communication skills, including excellent written and verbal communication skills. 
5. Extensive knowledge of applicable laws, rules, regulations and/or board policies and district procedures.
6. A valid driver's license that allows the applicant/employee to operate a motor vehicle in Utah legally.
7. The selected candidate must be fingerprinted and clear a criminal background check.

(When applying for an administrative position, candidates must meet the minimum qualifications as listed on the appropriate position vacancy announcement.)

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

1. Experience, knowledge, and understanding of the laws and general legal and operational principles related to K-12 public education, including but not limited to; civil rights law, contract law, labor and employment law, special education law, real estate, litigation, and other areas of the law that pertain to public education.
2. High analytical ability to reason and analyze situations based upon legal principles and practical application in the school environment.
3. Experience with conducting investigations.
4. Experience with Title IX issues.
5. Experience working with administrative agencies (UALD, EEOC, OCR).
6. Experience working with GRAMA, OPMA, or other laws specific to governmental entities.
7. Competent in conducting thorough and accurate legal research, investigations, and have excellent legal/policy writing skills.
8. Confident, articulate, and professional speaking abilities; empathic listening and persuasive speaking skills.
9. Spanish Speaker: speaks, reads, writes and understands spoken Spanish.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

            Core Responsibilities

1. Provide legal representation and law-related services to the District as assigned by General Counsel.
2. Provide training to District staff on policies, legal requirements, and other relevant topics.
3. Suggests revisions to policies and procedures to ensure the District is compliant with all federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
4. Advise on issues related to the Governmental Records Access Management Act (GRAMA) and may represent the District in any GRAMA appeals to an outside agency.
5. Support the Title IX Coordinator in all matters related to Title IX.
6. Conduct investigations as necessary.
7. Provide assistance to the Salt Lake Education Foundation regarding charitable donations and gifts, and contractual agreements.
8. Interface with and provide legal counsel and assistance regarding interagency relationships and Interlocal Agreements.
9. Ability to develop and maintain the confidence and trust of senior leadership at the district. Must be cooperative, honest, trustworthy, dependable, and able to maintain confidentiality.
10. Attend work sessions and meetings with District staff when requested.
11. Must conduct themselves in a professional and civil manner. Possess the necessary skills to manage stressful situations and react appropriately, professionally, and promptly to unexpected dilemmas and conduct.
12. Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to cooperatively interact and work with school personnel, parents, students, and the general public. Willing to be a team player, open minded, and committed to the goals and objectives of the Salt Lake City School District.
13. Possess excellent communication skills both verbally and in writing, and have the ability to communicate clearly and effectively.
14. Be well organized and detail-oriented.
15. Knowledge of current computing technologies and able to effectively utilize software applications appropriate to position responsibilities.
16. Prepare and maintain a wide variety of written materials and confidential records (e.g., reports, memos, notes, investigations, etc.) to document activities, comply with processes and legal requirements, convey information, and ensure collection of appropriate documentation of legal matters.
17. Work under limited supervision utilizing time-management and prioritization strategies while accurately processing detailed information and meeting deadlines.
18. Adapt to changing work priorities and work with frequent interruptions, as required.
19. Maintain regular and predictable attendance to fulfill job requirements efficiently and effectively.
20. Perform other related duties as assigned to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the District.

Additional Responsibilities May Include:

• Provide assistance to school staff in evaluating student eligibility and accommodation plans to assure the District’s legal compliance with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and Section 504.
• Review, revise, negotiate, and draft contracts and other legal documents involving the District, such as construction, remodels, additions, capital projects, goods and services, etc.
• Advise on public employment law issues and related human resource matters.
• Be involved with employee hearings and other administrative hearings involving the District, such as the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Utah Anti-discrimination Labor Division (UALD), and Utah Department of Workforce Services.
• Coordinate with outside legal counsel on lawsuits and other legal matters involving the District. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

1. Risks found in the typical work environment which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations.
2. Driving to school locations as necessary.
3. Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work: however, there may be some walking, standing, bending, carrying light items, etc...

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job.

The Salt Lake City School District is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, and its services, programs, and activities. 

To request reasonable accommodation, contact us at Human Resource Services - Salt Lake City School District (slcschools.org) or call 801-578-8340.

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Non-Discrimination Statement

No district employee or student shall be subjected to discrimination in employment or any district program or activity on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. The district is committed to providing equal access and equal opportunity in its programs, services and employment including its policies, complaint processes, program accessibility, district facility use, accommodations and other Equal Employment Opportunity matters. The district also provides equal access to district facilities for all youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code, including scouting groups. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries and complaints regarding unlawful discrimination, harassment, and retaliation: Tina Hatch, Compliance and Investigations/Title IX Coordinator, 440 East 100 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111, (801) 578-8340. You may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, Denver, CO, (303) 844-5695.

Salary : $127,426 - $147,775