Juvenile and Legal Rights Consultant - Helensview

Helensview School is an accredited school that provides individualized instruction and specialized support services for youth ages 12-21 who have dropped out of school or are experiencing chronic attendance / behavioral issues. Helensview School provides multiple pathways to graduation with a standard diploma, academic, social service, and connection to post-secondary options. Students can access dual credit (on-campus agreements with multiple Colleges and Universities), Career and Technical Education (CTE) (6 approved programs of study including culinary, beats making and construction), and on-site job training through our student businesses. Helensview serves an ethnically diverse student population and seeks candidates with experience working in racially and ethnically diverse settings.  

 

At Helensview 75% of our students identify as non-white and over 40% identify as Black or African American.  We strongly value hiring staff who reflect the diversity of our students.  

 

Position: Juvenile and Legal Rights Consultant

Department: Student Services

Program: Alternative Education

Reports to: Building Administrator(s)

Classification/Range: Confidential Contracted/Range ADM06

Schedule: 0.8 FTE, 162 days per year

 

 

 

Note: Interviews for this position will begin as soon as suitable candidates are found

 

 

 

Position Purpose: The Juvenile and Legal Rights Consultant provides legal navigation support and advice for justice impacted youth and families, consult and program development services for districts, schools, and programs, curriculum development, and partnership engagement around expungement and justice intervention services. This consultant expedites students’ full participation in their academic endeavors by helping navigate obstacles to fulfilling educational and career goals. This is not a school attorney position. 

 

Nature and Scope: This position is subject to Board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable State and Federal statutes. This position carries no administrative authority or responsibility.

 

The successful candidate will need to pass an Oregon Department of Education background check.

 

Essential Job Functions:

1. Provide legal assistance for youth up to age 24 seeking expungement or support with other legal barriers to education (i.e. housing, domestic violence, immigration, etc.).
2. Attend court and legal proceedings. 
3. Collaborate with court-appointed attorneys to provide case management around various legal proceedings (i.e., juvenile, criminal, family law, etc.).
4. Collaborate with other staff members to establish and maintain program goals and requirements.
5. Recommend policies and procedures to ensure continuity and maintenance of  appropriate services. 
6. Effectively communicate with students and families about where assistance is available.
7. Maintain regular office hours to allow for student and family appointments/ access. 
8. Design and implement effective, culturally competent Know Your Rights programming, which may include hosting and facilitating clinics and other events. 
9. Create and design curriculum focused on student and law enforcement engagement and interactions. 
10. Develop and implement lesson plans and learning objectives to ensure educational and behavioral progress. 
11. Develop and implement a mentorship style program where students interested in the legal field may receive additional information, obtain a mentor, listen to speakers, or attend special sessions about the legal profession. 
12. Communicate and confer with support services and community personnel to address individual student needs.
13. Communicate, collaborate and demonstrate appropriate interpersonal skills with students, colleagues, supervisors, community members and others.
14. Maintain positive and professional relationships with supervisors, colleagues and partner agencies/districts. 
15. Maintain detailed records, manage caseloads, and meet timelines.
16. Abide by the policies of the District, and Multnomah County, and the procedures of the Instructional Services and Student Services Departments.

Minimum Qualifications, Skills and Abilities:

1. Licensed and currently admitted in the Oregon State Bar; juris doctorate from an ABA accredited law school.
2. Knowledge of juvenile justice and family laws in Oregon, including expungement. 
3. Knowledge of Oregon criminal law and procedures. 
4. Knowledge of other common legal areas: landlord-tenant, fines/fees, employment, consumer laws, and more.
5. Knowledge of Oregon and Federal education laws and regulations, including FERPA, IDEA, etc. 
6. Ability to develop and/or implement effective, culturally competent Know Your Rights Curriculum for high school aged-learners.
7. Knowledge of how to communicate with and work alongside young people.
8. Ability to develop policies to guide program/position in the future; help establish this position within the district.
9. Excellent understanding of the Oregon Rules of Professional Conduct.  
10. Demonstrated understanding and commitment to anti-bias principles, cultural competency and addressing systemic racism and other forms of oppression.
11. A valid driver license and personal vehicle for use on the job.

 

OTHER JOB FUNCTIONS:

1. Participate in ongoing professional development.
2. Attend and participate in all required meetings as assigned.
3. Adhere to the policies and procedures of the District and alternative setting (i.e . detention facility, long term care and treatment facility, etc.)
4. Maintain regular attendance. 
5. Performs other related duties as assigned.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work is performed in a wide variety of locations, including office and school environments. May work with high stress student or family situations. Involves sitting, walking and attendance at evening and weekend meetings. Requires the use of computers, office equipment and driving personal vehicle. 

This position may require significant travel for in person meetings and court hearings. 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

1. Mobility: Frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.
2. Lifting: Frequently up to 10 pounds; occasional up to 25 pounds.
3. Vision: Constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
4. Dexterity: Frequent use of keyboard; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
5. Hearing/talking: Frequent hearing and talking, in person and on telephone.
6. Emotional/Psychological: Frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or co-worker contact; occasional working alone.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• Active member in good standing with the Oregon State Bar or reciprocal eligibility for admission. 
• Juris Doctor and
• Any combination of experience which would provide the applicant with the desired skills, knowledge and ability required to perform the job
• Preferred: Experience working with young people and training or experience working with diverse populations.
• Bilingual preferred but not required.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

Work is performed in a typical high school environment. 

 

BENEFITS: 

• District pays full medical, dental and vision premiums for eligible employees and dependents

• Three medical insurance plan options: 
• Group Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA), or
• Opt-Out option

• MESD pays employee’s 6% Public Employees Retirement System (PERS) contribution
• Annual additional benefit options for Confidential employees: 
• Two (2) additional Floating Holidays 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 MESD Paid contribution to a Section 125 Medical Flexible Savings Account 
• One (1) additional Floating Holiday AND $500 paid contribution to a Health Savings Account (HSA)* 
• $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Section 125 Flexible Spending Account e) $1000 MESD paid contribution to their Health Savings Account (HSA)* 

*Employee must be enrolled in a HSA-eligible medical plan through MESD

• Paid holidays, sick leave and personal time off
• Tuition Reimbursement and Professional Development 

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: 

The physical and mental demands described here are representative of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the essential functions of this classification. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

 

1. Mobility: Frequent sitting for long periods of time; occasional bending or squatting.
2. Lifting: Frequently up to 10 pounds; occasional up to 25 pounds.
3. Vision: Constant use of overall vision; frequent reading and close-up work; occasional color and depth vision.
4. Dexterity: Frequent use of keyboard; frequent repetitive motion; frequent writing; frequent grasping, holding, and reaching.
5. Hearing/talking: Frequent hearing and talking, in person and on telephone.
6. Emotional/Psychological: Frequent decision-making and concentration; frequent public and/or co-worker contact; occasional working alone.

This position is subject to board policies, administrative rules and procedures, department regulations and applicable state and federal statutes. This position does not carry administrative authority. All commitments outside of authorized programs and services are subject to prior approval by the supervisor of this position.

NOTE: The description contained herein reflects general details as necessary to describe the principle functions  of this job, the level of knowledge and skill typically required, and the scope of responsibility, but should not be  considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements. Individuals may perform other duties as assigned,  including work in other functional areas to cover absences or relief, to equalize peak work periods, or otherwise to balance the workload.  

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER 

MESD recognizes the diversity and worth of all individuals and groups. It is the policy of MESD that  there will be no discrimination or harassment of individuals or groups based on race, color, religion, gender,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, marital status, age, veterans status,  genetic information or disability in any educational programs, activities, or employment. 

 

Reasonable accommodations for the application and interview process will be provided upon request and as  required in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. Individuals with disabilities may  contact the Human Resources Director for additional information or assistance.  Speech/Hearing impaired persons may contact the district for assistance through the Oregon telecommunications Relay Service at 1-800-735-2900.