Paralegal for General Counsel

POSITION PURPOSE: This position provides comprehensive administrative and paralegal support to the General Counsel of the Beaufort County School District (BCSD), assisting with all legal matters concerning the district. The paralegal also manages the General Counsel’s Office, overseeing administrative tasks, legal document management, and providing higher-level support specific to school district-related legal issues.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as the primary contact for inquiries directed to the General Counsel, responding to or forwarding communications as appropriate.
• Manage both electronic and physical files, organizing and maintaining a litigation database for BCSD cases, and filing documents daily.
• Draft, revise, and distribute legal correspondence, reports, presentations, and documents as needed.
• Schedule and coordinate appointments, meetings, and other calendar items for the General Counsel and related district personnel.
• Act as the point of contact with South Carolina School Boards Association to ensure all administrative regulations are up-to-date and accurately posted on the BCSD website.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications Department to assist with FOIA procedures, including preparation of responses; determining information to be redacted and ensuring compliance with legal and confidentiality requirements.?

• Support litigation involving the BCSD, including drafting, reviewing, and editing legal documents such as pleadings, motions, discovery, and exhibits.
• Coordinate with outside counsel, assisting in gathering information and documents for discovery requests and other litigation-related activities.
• Obtain necessary documents and information for BCSD responses to administrative claims with agencies such as the EEOC, SCSHAC, OCR, DOJ, and SCDE.
• Perform legal research on legislative matters and policies using Westlaw and other resources to assist in case preparation, policy updates, and administrative tasks.

• Collaborate with BCSD staff and the General Counsel to review, draft, and revise district policies and administrative regulations. Attend meetings to discuss changes, ensuring updates reflect district priorities and legal compliance.
• Stay updated on changes in laws and regulations to ensure legal compliance and best practices.
• Implement an organized system to track policy revisions and communicate updates across relevant departments and stakeholders.

• Conduct in-depth research, compiling and synthesizing findings for reports, summaries, chronologies, and other written materials used in district decision-making.
• Build productive relationships with BCSD employees, board members, committees, outside counsel, and community stakeholders, ensuring clear communication on legal and policy matters.
• Maintain an updated understanding of BCSD policies and legal regulations pertinent to the role, ensuring all actions adhere to the district’s governance and compliance standards.

• Organize and manage multiple projects as directed by the General Counsel, including district-wide initiatives, policy reviews, and legislative tracking efforts.
• Assist in preparing strategic reports and presentations related to district legal issues, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders for data collection and presentation refinement.
• Conduct audits of legal document management practices to ensure compliance with district, state, and federal recordkeeping requirements.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer, Superintendent or Deputy Superintendent.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate Degree in Paralegal Studies or related field. Bachelor’s Degree preferred.
• Paralegal certification from an ABA accredited paralegal program or similar equivalent program.
• Excellent legal research skills, proof reading skills, and organizational skills; proficient in standard computer applications including West Law and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Excellent oral and written skills; attention to detail; ability to work with diverse groups of people.
• Must be a self-starter; must be able to adapt to and excel in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to develop a harmonious working relationship with all levels of internal staff and external stakeholders.
• Strong organizational and communication skills, with the ability to handle confidential information discreetly.
• Preferred Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree; background in education law, employment law, and/or transactional matters.

• At least five (5) years progressive experience in a professional work environment.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job and are not meant to be all inclusive. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the job. While performing this job, the employee is occasionally required to climb, stoop, kneel, crouch, reach with hands and arms, sit for extended periods of time (up to 90% of work day), walk, use hands and fingers to key data, handle, feel or operate objects, tools or controls; talk and hear. The employee may have to occasionally move and/or lift up to thirty (30) pounds. Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust focus. Employee must use calculator, computer, copier, shredder, fax machine. Stress level moderate based on deadlines, work load and interaction with the public.

WORK PLACE EXPECTATIONS:

1. Work effectively with and respond to diverse cultures or backgrounds.
2. Demonstrate professionalism and appropriate judgment in behavior, speech, and dress in a neat, clean and professional manner for the assignment and work setting.
3. Have regular and punctual attendance.
4. Follow all District policies, work procedures, and reasonable requests by the proper authorities.
5. As an employee of Beaufort County School District, I am to adhere to confidentiality as directed by Federal, State and Local Laws/Regulations; and in accordance with district administrative rules as it pertains to sensitive information, employee information and student information. Failure to adhere to confidentiality may result in disciplinary actions, up to and including termination of employment.

REPORTS TO:  Chief Legal Officer

DAYS PER YEAR: 260

SALARY CLASSIFICATION:  Paid on the Administrative Staff Salary Schedule - LEVEL 201

EMPLOYEE GROUP: Administrative

APPLICATION PROCEDURES: Must apply online by completing an online application and adding this specific job to your profile.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

EMPLOYEE'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENT STATEMENT:
 
1. I have reviewed the above position description and understand its contents.

2. I am aware that my position description may be revised or updated at any time and once notified of changes, I remain responsible for knowledge of its contents.

3. I hereby certify that I possess the physical and mental ability to fulfill the essential functions of the above position with or without reasonable accommodation(s). If I require accommodation(s) in order to fulfill any or all of these functions, I agree to provide information to the District regarding the requested accommodation(s).

Employee's Name (Print): ___________________________________

Employee's Signature: ___________________________________

Date: __________________________  

THE BEAUFORT COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER