Assistant General Counsel, Special Education
Taleo Social Sourcing See More Job Openings by This Employer
Note: The salary range for this position is $90,166 - $117,445
The School District of Philadelphia is committed to becoming the fastest improving District in the country and transforming the educational opportunities it offers to our city’s more than 200,000 students. The District seeks leaders who have a passion for working with schools and communities who are committed to ensuring all students achieve. Serving a population as diverse as ours requires creativity, commitment and vision. Will you join us?
Job Summary
Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Works under the supervision of the General Counsel and the Deputy General Counsel, Individualized Student Services, and focuses on special education and other student-specific issues and investigations, with crossover to support civil rights, labor and employment, litigation, school law, and other matters as needed. The Office of General Counsel handles a diverse and challenging array of legal issues and provides ongoing learning opportunities.
Essential Functions
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Defends the District in federal and state courts, administrative tribunals, and hearing officer proceedings, from matter initiation, through motion practice, discovery, settlement negotiations, hearings, trial, and appeals; matters are primarily handled within the Office of General Counsel (OGC), with outside counsel retained and overseen by OGC attorneys as appropriate for certain types of matters and based on need.
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Concentrates on matters concerning the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and section 504, while also providing legal advice on a wide range of education, policy, compliance, labor, litigation, transactional, school law, charter schools, and related topics.
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Assists in development and implementation of policies, practices, procedures, and training through committee participation, training sessions, continuing legal education, presentations, and data analysis and data-driven decision-making.
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Proactively anticipates client needs and works to maximize efficiency in providing legal services and District processes.
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Advises on risk management, fact-finding, investigations, issue identification, and resolution.
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Advises District governance, leadership, and program offices.
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Counsels various levels of school personnel and administration concerning issues affecting students.
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Participates in evaluation and development of improvement in systems, personnel, and procedures in the OGC and other offices as appropriate.
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Interacts professionally and respectfully with District personnel, District partners, parents and guardians, representatives of other governmental and social services entities, contractors, for profit and not-for-profit entities, opposing counsel, and advocacy groups.
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Maintains the utmost confidentiality and protects information from improper disclosure.
Minimum Requirements
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Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
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Three years of full-time, paid experience in a law firm, non-profit or government legal department, other in-house legal department, or in a judicial clerkship.
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Experience with special education issues a strong plus.
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All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Demonstrated knowledge of:
- state and federal statutory, regulatory, and common law particularly as they relate to functions of the School District.
- judicial proceedings and rules of evidence as related to the area of specialization.
- principles, practices, methods, and techniques of legal research.
- uses and capabilities of personal computers and software applications including word processing, database management, and spreadsheets.
Demonstrated ability to:
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analyze, organize, and evaluate evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex cases and to present such material in clear and logical form for verbal and written presentation.
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juggle a substantial workload and use judgment in prioritizing matters.
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maintain flexibility in work hours and for high-peak work flow.
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cooperate and collaborate with office colleagues and District clients.
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accept responsibilities and opportunities, including those outside of the area of specialty.
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adapt to new or different ways of doing things.
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analyze legal documents and instruments.
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draft legal instruments and propose legislation.
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negotiate terms and conditions successfully, including resolution of contested legal cases.
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exercise sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality.
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handle multiple concurrent tasks.
Certificates/Licenses
Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and active member in good standing – or – eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment, without the need for paid time off for that purpose, and an active member in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state. Applicants must be in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period as of the date of employment.
Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Nondiscrimination
The School District of Philadelphia provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, age, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, ancestry, national origin, disability, pregnancy, marital status, gender identity, or genetic information. Please refer to Board Policy 348 for further information regarding the District's commitment to Nondiscrimination in Employment Practices.
