Chief Legal and Policy Officer

Albany County School District 1•Laramie, WY

23h•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Superintendent, the Chief Legal & Policy Officer serves as the District’s chief legal advisor and leads the development, implementation, and oversight of Board policy, legal compliance, and governance support. This position ensures that District operations, policies, and initiatives align with federal, state, and local law while supporting effective decision-making and risk management.

Requirements

Thorough knowledge of education law, public sector governance, employment law, administrative law, and policy development.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent written and oral communication abilities.
Ability to interpret and apply legal requirements in an educational setting.
Strong organizational and leadership skills.
Demonstrated ability to collaborate with executive leadership and elected bodies.
Ability to provide clear and practical legal guidance.
Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
Must be licensed to practice law in Wyoming or able to obtain licensure.
Experience in legal practice, public sector law, education law, or related areas.

Nice To Haves

Experience advising executive leadership, developing policy, or working within a public education or governmental setting.

Responsibilities

Serves as chief legal advisor to the Superintendent.
Serves as a member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet.
Provides legal guidance to District leadership regarding student rights, employment matters, governance, and regulatory compliance.
Leads the development, revision, and implementation of Board policies.
Oversees the alignment of administrative regulations with Board-adopted policy.
Monitors changes in federal and Wyoming law impacting school district operations.
Provides legal analysis to support executive decision-making and District initiatives.
Advises on employment law matters including discipline, investigations, and grievance processes.
Supports interest-based employee conferral strategy and contract interpretation.
Reviews and drafts contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding.
Provides guidance regarding compliance with public records and open meetings laws.
Supports compliance with civil rights laws including Title IX, ADA, and other regulatory frameworks.
Coordinates with outside legal counsel and manages litigation strategy when necessary.
Assists with legal review of District programs, initiatives, and operational practices.
Provides governance support to the Board of Trustees, including drafting resolutions and policy language.
Delivers written and oral presentations to the Board of Trustees and District leadership on legal and policy matters.
Provides training and guidance to District staff regarding legal responsibilities and compliance requirements.
Supports risk management efforts by identifying and mitigating legal exposure.
Collaborates with the Chief Human Resources Officer to ensure personnel practices align with applicable law.
Collaborates with District leadership to ensure policy implementation aligns with operational practice.
Attends Board of Trustees meetings.
Required to work in person and on site.
Performs other duties as assigned by the superintendent.
Follows the policies and procedures of the school(s) and the District.
Participates in professional growth (such as professional organizations, coursework, workshops, and conferences) and other professional activities (such as school and/or District committees, taskforces, in-depth studies, or councils).
Demonstrates a sense of professional responsibility, such as demonstrating ethical behavior; providing accurate data and reports when needed; meeting deadlines; maintaining confidentiality; caring for the equipment and materials; and dressing appropriately; exhibiting sensitivity to those with special needs; maintaining good professional relationships with parents and community members; and presenting a good role model.
Other duties as assigned.