Description:

Job Goal:
To provide direct, full-time professional legal counsel to the Superintendent and the staff on school matters.

Qualifications:

Law degree from an accredited law school.
License to practice law in Florida, a member of the Florida Bar.
Three (3) years' general legal experience and knowledge of Florida school and labor relations law.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, the school community, and others. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication. Ability to perform duties with awareness of all statutes, district requirements, and school board policies. Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form. Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reports to:
Superintendent

Supervises:
Executive Secretary

Performance Responsibilities:

In cooperation with the School Board Attorney:

Counsels the Superintendent and staff in matters of a legal or technical nature relating to the interpretation of federal and state statutes, charters, ordinances, and contracts.
Prepares and renders legal opinions upon request to the Superintendent and staff.
Prepares and conducts litigation, administrative law, and arbitration hearings as directed by the Superintendent.
Prepares all pleadings, trial and appellate briefs, and negotiations between parties.
Conducts trials and hearings at the level of original jurisdiction or on appeal, and all other court or hearing appearances in order to represent most effectively the interests of the school district.
Provides legal assistance in the drafting of legal documents, rules and regulations, resolutions, applications, and all other legal or quasi-legal papers upon request.
Advises appropriate staff on all legal matters concerning student discipline and expulsions.
Advises appropriate staff on all legal matters involving ESE placement.
Advises the Superintendent in all collective bargaining matters and assists in the collective bargaining process as directed by the Superintendent.

Acts as advocate of the Superintendent's position in expulsion and student disciplinary matters.
Advises on all legal matters involving employee discipline.
Attends meeting of the School Board as required.
Supervises and assists the Specialist, Professional Standards in:

Receiving complaints from various groups and taking appropriate action, including investigative procedures.
Working in conjunction with the Executive Director of Human Resources, and Equity Coordinator regarding complaints of discrimination or harassment.
Conducting investigations of complaints against employees and volunteers.
Cooperating with and assisting Risk Management Department with investigations related to worker's compensation or fraud claims.
Recommending appropriate disciplinary action to the Executive Director of Human Resources and involving the Board Attorney/Staff Attorney and Cabinet Members regarding recommendations.
Preparing written documentation of disciplinary action taken at the district level. Preparing charging letters, stipulations of agreement, background information, and agenda items for the Superintendent and the School Board.
Referring to and assisting law enforcement agencies with investigations when appropriate.
Preparing and forwarding disciplinary packages to Professional Practices Services; assist with PPS investigations.
Screening criminal histories and fingerprint reports of applicants provided by the Human Resources Department, as well as histories of interns and selected volunteers, communicating with the aforementioned regarding eligibility and falsification of records; making recommendation to deny employment when appropriate.
Assisting site-based supervisors and administrators with problem resolution regarding employees or citizens.
Informing the Superintendent's Office of ongoing investigations or arrests that may be "high profile." Preparing for Superintendent's signature appropriate responses to customers regarding complaints.
Providing training in due process; Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct, employee disciplinary guidelines, progressive discipline, investigations, and performance assessment for site-based supervisors and administrators, faculties, site-based staff, district-based staff and support staff.
Maintaining communications with other agencies and school districts to share and receive information of effective professional practices services.
Responding quickly to school needs, concerns and emergency situations.
Providing relevant information and data to others in a timely manner.
Preparing all required reports and maintain all appropriate records.