Associate Legal Counsel and Equity Compliance Officer - Educational Services Center

Cherry Creek Schools•Denver, CO

8d•Onsite

About The Position

Provide in-house legal counsel and compliance support to the District on student, employment, governance, and operational matters. Lead Section 504 compliance efforts, support IDEA-related matters, and investigate student discrimination complaints and other assigned compliance matters. Advise District staff and administrators on federal and state laws, regulations, policies, contracts, and risk management issues. Draft and review policies, contracts, legal responses, and other documents to support District operations and legal compliance. Collaborate with stakeholders to promote equitable, legally compliant educational practices. Serve as a member of the Administration Council (AdCo).

Requirements

Criminal background check and fingerprinting required
Juris Doctorate (JD) degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution
Bachelor's degree
Three (3) years of legal experience in education law or experience representing public entities
Demonstrated skills in problem solving legal issues for school districts
Demonstrated skills in working collaboratively with school staff, administrators, and other legal team staff members
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office tools
Advanced verbal and written communication skills
Advanced interpersonal relations skills
Advanced knowledge of Lexis, Westlaw, SpecialEd Connection, and other similar legal research databases

Nice To Haves

Experience working in the public sector, specifically public education
Experience in special education law
Experience working directly with people from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds
Racially conscious and culturally competent with the skill, will, capacity, and knowledge to commit to a culture of continuous improvement

Responsibilities

Serve as a resource for district staff on compliance with Section 504, IDEA, and Title IX.
Provide legal guidance to district staff in response to inquiries including compliance with district policies, federal and state law and their interpreting regulations.
Develop, revised, and implement and disseminate procedural and legal requirements for Section 504, IDEA, and Title IX.
Investigate OCR complaints, CDE state complaints, IDEA due process complaints, and CCRD/EEOC complaints filed by employees, and draft responses to complaints and CCRD/EEOC position statements, as assigned.
Investigate and issue findings for internal student discrimination complaints filed pursuant to Board Policies AC-R and ACD.
Investigate, conduct, and handle employee grievances and employee dismissal matters, as assigned.
Draft, revise, and update Board policies, as assigned. Review, revise, and draft contracts for District.
Assist in responding to CORA requests, subpoenas duces tecum, and requests for educational records under FERPA, as assigned. Assist district legal counsel with other legal matters.
Research legal issues and assist with truancy court, expulsion hearings/appeals and attend mediations for district legal matters, as assigned.
Provide trainings to district staff on Section 504, IDEA, Title IX, and other legal matters.
Review newly implemented legislation, regulations, and case law to provide legal updates to district staff.
Perform other duties as assigned or requested.