General Counsel

Norman, OK
United States

NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Job Description

Job Title: General Counsel

Qualifications: Knowledge of and skill in interpreting applicable state, federal, and local laws (and ordinances), and district policies and procedures; skill in organizing material into manageable form; skill in formulating recommendations, proposals and counter proposals; skill and ability to develop, and maintain and coordinate effective relationships with the Superintendent, Board of Education, Cabinet, staff, and employee organizations.

Other Characteristics:  Possess a valid Oklahoma driver’s license; willing to work additional hours as required; travel as necessary. Willingness and ability to regularly attend and be involved in district events activities, consistent with the expectations for superintendent’s cabinet members. Must be willing to attend in and out-of-state education conferences, upon the superintendent’s request. 

Credentials: Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school and License to practice law in the State of Oklahoma; Admitted to practice in all Oklahoma Federal District Courts and the Oklahoma Supreme Court

Training or Experience Required: Preferred experience in educational administration and/or school and labor laws, collective bargaining, and knowledge of education administration. Litigation experience in state and federal courts and understanding of and ability to negotiate employment, transactional, and other types of contracts. Background and experience involving state legislature and legislative process helpful. 

Special Skills, Knowledge, Abilities: Must possess special knowledge of Constitutional law and Oklahoma school law, knowledge of Oklahoma statutes pertaining to the Board of Education and  public and private schools and a working knowledge of issues that typically confront schools . In addition, must have a working familiarity with fair labor standards, collective bargaining laws, governmental tort claims procedures and requirements, equal employment opportunity requirements, complaint procedures administered by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as well as the United States Department of Education and Office of Civil Rights complaint and resolution procedures. 

Site: Work primarily at the Administrative Services Center, District schools and sites,  and travel, as requested, within Oklahoma and outside of Oklahoma.

Reports to: Superintendent and Board of Education

Job Goal (Purpose of Position): To provide legal services and consultation to the District and the Board of Education.

Essential Job Functions:

Prepares and renders legal interpretations, and recommendations upon request of the Board and the Superintendent.

 Prepares and represents the district at conferences, proceedings and other functions as requested by the Superintendent or Board of Education.

 
Attends, upon request, and provides legal advice at meetings of the Board of Education and such other meetings or conferences as the superintendent directs.

 
Provides legal consultation in the drafting of legal documents, board policy, rules and regulations, resolutions, applications of diverse kinds and other legal or quasi-legal papers upon request.

 
Keeps informed regarding legislation, serves as a liaison with the district’s legislative advocates, and represents the district as an advocate as directed by the superintendent.

 
Represents the district at state and county workshops and seminars relating to school legal services and participates in in-service education programs with the school district’s staff to limit district exposure to liability.

 
Advises staff concerning student suspension and removal, students’ First Amendment rights and related issues.

 
Participates in labor relations as requested, including negotiations, grievances, related hearings.

 
Reviews, approves, and negotiates district contracts as requested.

 
Keeps the Board and Superintendent informed of changes in laws, legislation, and their impact on the School District.

 
Coordinates, oversees, and monitors legal services provided to the district by outside counsel.

 
Operates as a positive team member while providing sound legal advice on legal matters.

 
Performs other duties as assigned. 

Physical/Mental Requirements and Working Conditions: Sufficient vision to read volumes of printed material; sufficient hearing to conduct in person, telephone or remote conversations; sufficient physical mobility to move about the district and drive a car; ability to speak in an understandable voice with sufficient volume to be heard in normal conversational distance, on the telephone and in addressing groups; physical, mental and emotional stamina to endure long hours under sometimes stressful conditions. 

Terms of Employment: Exempt

Contract length: 260 Days