Description Chief Legal Counsel
This position is open until filled. Applications received by May 17, 2019 will be given first consideration.
Must be licensed to practice law in Washington State or be eligible for admission to the WSBA by (1) Admission by Motion, House Counsel Practice, or Admission by Uniform Bar Exam Score Transfer and (2) be eligible to immediately practice at Seattle Public Schools under the requirements of RPC 5.5 and its restrictions. It is the responsibility of any out of state candidate to apply for and obtain temporary authorization to work as House Counsel prior to starting work at SPS. An offer may be rescinded if authorization to work as House Counsel is not obtained within 4 weeks of an offer being made. Any candidate who obtains House Counsel authorization to practice in Washington must obtain a regular/full legal license to practice in Washington within 12 months of hire.
The Seattle Public Schools is committed to ensuring equitable access, closing the opportunity gaps and educational excellence for every student. To achieve its mission the school board, community, and superintendent have determined that systems must improve district wide to support academic outcomes and meet student needs. The General Counsel is an integral member of the Superintendent's Leadership Team and plays an important role in supporting the Superintendent's Leadership Team with achieving the strategic objectives in a manner consistent with their business judgment. The General Counsel supports student learning and district efficiency by representing the district legally and balancing costs, benefits, and risks. The General Counsel serves as the chief legal adviser to the Board of Directors and the Superintendent, and serves as the Assistant Secretary to the Board.
Essential Functions
Leads a team of legal professionals, including attorneys, paralegals and legal assistants in the provision of accurate and timely legal advice and representation to the District on all matters of a legal or technical nature which require the interpretation of legal counsel, including the application of statutes, regulations and ordinances, and the provisions of contracts; supervises and evaluates personnel assigned to the Legal Office; devises ways to reduce legal office expenditures; manages district's litigation, recommends resolutions, negotiates and authorizes settlements with Superintendent, and Board approval, as appropriate; coordinates and monitors the work of the District's outside legal counsel. (20%)
Advises, reports to, and acts for the District on legal matters, such as claims, suits, injunctions, dismissals, non-renewal of contracts, processing tort claims in coordination with the District's insurer, and resolution of grievances; defends or represents the District in court, binding arbitration, and other legal or administrative proceedings. (15%)
Provides the Board with advice and counsel regarding the legal and policy issues facing them as elected officials and the governing body of the school district. Serves as the Assistant Secretary to the Board of Directors; attends Board meetings and Board committee meetings, and accepts and certifies documents on behalf of the Board. (15%)
Serves as a strategic adviser to the Superintendent on a variety of administrative and legislative issues. (15%)
Informs administrators of new laws and regulations and their effect on district operations, policies, and procedures; serves as an advocate of the District before city, state and federal government officials. (10%)
Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, the executive leadership team, and the Board regarding legal requirements, best practices and strategies for addressing legal and risk management issues; provides consultation and recommendations that support executive team in the development of legally compliant District policies and procedures that achieve their strategic objectives; provides advice and counsel regarding legal requirements, best practices and strategies for addressing legal and risk management issues. (5%)
Follows trends in law, the legal profession, the provision of school district in-house legal counsel, and risk management practices; participates in ongoing training to enhance professional skills. (5%)
Supervises the response to public records requests, and ensures appropriate awareness of requests and materials to be shared with the superintendent, appropriate leadership team member, and communications. establishes departmental processes that protect the confidentiality of advice, records and information about staff and students; protects confidentiality of all records and information in possession of counsel about staff, and use discretion when sharing any such information within legal confines which is limited to records or information under control of counsel. (5%)
Performs related duties consistent with the scope and intent of the position as may be assigned to him or her by the Superintendent, Board, or Deputy Superintendent.(5%)
REQUIRED DISTRICT-WIDE CORE COMPETENCIES:
Collaboration
Is seen as a team player who encourages efficient and effective collaborations.
Works skillfully in difficult situations with both internal and external groups.
Represents his/her own interests while being open-minded to other groups.
Builds respectful and productive relationships internally and externally.
Getting Results (Action-Oriented)
Demonstrates a strong sense of urgency about solving problems and getting work done.
Focuses on achieving the goal even in the face of obstacles.
Assumes responsibility for starting and finishing work with minimal supervision.
Strives for new levels of performance.
Decision Quality & Problem Solving
Weighs the consequences of options before making a decision.
Applies appropriate criteria to situations for the purpose of making decisions.
Displays self-confidence in own judgment.
Focuses in the facts and solutions instead of opinions and problems.
Integrity
Deals with people and situations in an honest and forthright manner.
Represents information and data accurately and completely.
Represents the confidentiality of information and concerns shared by others.
Takes ownership if a mistake is their own and does not blame others.
Accountability
Takes responsibility and action as if the risks (financial or otherwise) are his or her own.
Holds individuals and team accountable for their actions and results.
Initiates action even if outcome is uncertain and is willing to accept the consequences of failure.
Aligns own activities and priorities to meet broader organizational needs.
Demonstrates courage and confidence in his or her own ability.
OTHER RELEVANT COMPETENCIES:
Dealing with Ambiguity
Responds quickly to change and comfortably considers new approaches.
Operates well in situations when consequences of actions and decisions are unclear.
Switches strategies or approach if current ones are not working.
Strategic Agility & Innovation Management
Sees ahead clearly and accurately anticipates how potential ideas may play out.
Thinks holistically by combining ideas in unique ways or making connection between different ideas.
Examines and evaluates potential solutions to determine where the greatest gain can be achieved.
Creates new ways of thinking to address complex issues.
Customer Focus
Makes customers and their needs a primary focus of his/her actions.
Thinks ahead and considers the impact of actions both internally and externally.
Develops trust, credibility and maintains strong relationships with customers.
Goes the extra mile to satisfy customer needs and expectations.
Conflict Management
Deals effectively with others in tough situations.
Expresses disagreements in a way that does not disparage or attach others.
Demonstrates the ability to expand areas of agreement and narrow areas of disagreement.
Recognizes differences in opinion, brings them into the open and looks for win-win solutions.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:
Wide range of legal and compliance issues that impact school districts or other public entities (such as labor and employment law, constitutional law, administrative law or construction law);
Current trends and related laws and regulations in school and school district operations and procedures; collaborative problem-solving methods; risk management procedures; budget development; practices and principles of supervision.
Excellent Oral and written communications; team building; problem-solving; time management; risk identification and minimization; evaluating and assessing the effectiveness of teams, programs and individuals; conceptual and analytical thinking.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships with the Superintendent's Leadership Team and Board.
Supervise staff; motivate others and stimulate team and group processes; effectively represent the District before the public; provide leadership in the fields of legal counsel and risk management; develop and assist with developing strategy; provide appropriate and constructive feedback to District staff; establish objectives; provide direction and assistance to staff and team members; take individual initiative, accept responsibility and be held accountable; coordinate multiple activities simultaneously; develop and administer budgets; adapt to change and remain flexible; establish and maintain effective working relationships with District staff and administrators, students, parents or guardians, outside agencies and the public, in a multi-cultural community.
Conditions/Disclaimers:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by those assigned to this position and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills. Employees may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed. District employees are not authorized to make promised of employment for a particular period of time, or promises of a particular level of compensation or benefits to job applicants for certified or classified positions, and that any such agreement must be in writing and signed by the Superintendent. Any verbal or written statements to that effect by District employees other than the Superintendent are null and void. Additionally nothing in this job description restricts management's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Minimum Qualifications
EDUCATION:
Jurist Doctorate.
YEARS of RELEVANT EXPERIENCE:
Ten (10) years of successful and increasingly responsible experience practicing law and the management of legal staff, preferably for a large state agency, corporation or law firm.
CERTIFICATION & LICENSES:
Member in good standing of the Washington State Bar Association.
Must be licensed to practice law in Washington State or be eligible for admission to the WSBA by (1) Admission by Motion, House Counsel Practice, or Admission by Uniform Bar Exam Score Transfer and (2) be eligible to immediately practice at Seattle Public Schools under the requirements of RPC 5.5 and its restrictions. It is the responsibility of any out of state candidate to apply for and obtain temporary authorization to work as House Counsel prior to starting work at SPS. An offer may be rescinded if authorization to work as House Counsel is not obtained within 4 weeks of an offer being made. Any candidate who obtains House Counsel authorization to practice in Washington must obtain a regular/full legal license to practice in Washington within 12 months of hire.
CONTINUING EDUCATION/TRAINING:
Continuing legal education licensing requirement every three years.
CLEARANCES:
Criminal Justice fingerprint and background check.
