Job’o’th’Week (Experienced Edition)

Help Wanted

Photo: Brenda Gottesman – CC License

District General Counsel

The Organization

To inspire and prepare all students with the confidence, courage, and competence to achieve their dreams; contribute to community; and engage in a lifetime of learning by serving as a member of the collaborative executive leadership team which plans, directs, and coordinates action to achieve the organizational mission and strategic goals. Contribute to strategic and tactical organizational leadership by providing legal services and advice to the Superintendent, School Board and School District administrators; managing all legal matters and services; representing the school system in litigation and administrative proceedings; coordinating litigation efforts with outside legal counsel; leading policy development and revision; conducting legal research; and providing guidance on legal issues regarding state and federal regulations and laws.

The Position

Contribute to strategic and tactical organizational leadership:
  • Participate on the superintendent’s cabinet to coordinate action to achieve the district’s mission and strategic goals
  • Provide leadership and coordination of school system committees and/or task force initiatives as assigned; participate in long-range and strategic planning initiatives
  • Serve as general legal counsel to the superintendent and School Board
  • Consult with the director of labor relations in the negotiation and drafting/review of collective bargaining agreements Interpret the Minnesota Public Employee Labor Relations Act (PELRA) and collective bargaining agreements; recommend proposed modifications to existing collective bargaining agreements
  • Attend all school board meetings, including policy committee meetings, school board work sessions, negotiations strategy sessions, special meetings, and regular school board meetings
  • Coordinate defenses and responses to legal and administrative complaints
  • Plan and execute continuous improvement processes for area of responsibility; invite input and feedback
  • Demonstrate commitment to professional growth
  • Represent the school district in a positive manner at various district and community functions, at state and local organizations, and as a liaison to various partners
  • Monitor trends in education law, regulations and legislative issues, and recommend operational, procedural and policy improvements

Are you ready to head to school?  See the full-post on PSJD.