The DeKalb County School District is seeking an experienced and professional Legal CounselExceptional Education.
The material contained herein is subject to change. All open positions offered by the DeKalb County School District are subject to specific job requirements. The DeKalb County School District is an equal opportunity employer, and all hiring decisions are subject to federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations.
Title: Contract Administration, Legal Counsel
Exceptional Education Legal Counsel will provide legal support to the Exceptional Education Department and will perform other duties as assigned by the Chief Legal Officer.
Essential Job Duties
- Conducts legal research to interpret and analyze state and federal laws, rules, or regulations pertaining to contractual agreements and issues for the Exceptional Education Department.
- Advises the District, in collaboration with general counsel, in special education matters.
- Advises District personnel on the development and implementation of IEP and 504 plans.
- Attends due process hearings and mediations.
- Conduct staff training on special education law and compliance.
- Collaborates with school administrators, educators, and general counsel to address legal concerns.
- Reviews and revises special education policies and regulations.
- Responds to state and federal compliance complaints.
- Collaborates with general counsel to negotiate/implement settlement of special education claims.
- Serves as liaison/designee for the Executive Director to ensure the best representation for the district (BOE, Superintendent, other stakeholders)
- Communicates with outside general counsel for BOE-approved general counsel matters.
- Maintains office management system for organization of contract documents from receipt from vendors through to final disposition.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree from a Georgia Professional Standards Commission approved and accredited college or university required.
- Juris Doctorate plus admission to the State Bar of Georgia strongly preferred.
- Minimum five (5) years of exceptional education experience, preferably in a government or a school district.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Knowledge of government procurement and purchasing law, real estate and or construction law, contract law, Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), education law, and employment law.
- Knowledge of DCSD (DeKalb County School District) policies and procedures
- Knowledge of public-school administration
- Knowledge of contract negotiations, drafting, and record keeping
- Superior legal writing skills and organizational skills with an emphasis on contract writing
- Skilled in gathering/researching information, data analysis, interpretation, report preparation and problem-solving.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion.
- Ability to establish and maintain productive working relationships with representatives from other organizational areas, coordinate and work with others engaged in various professional activities.