Deputy General Counsel

Charles County Public Schools•La Plata, MD

3d•$149,609 - $197,376•Onsite

About The Position

Under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools and the General Counsel, the Deputy General Counsel serves as the deputy legal advisor to Charles County Public Schools (CCPS). The role provides legal counsel to the Superintendent, executive leadership, school system administrators, and, when applicable, the Board of Education. It assists the General Counsel in leading and overseeing legal services and advising on employment and labor relations, special education and student services, civil rights, discrimination, harassment, Title IX, public information and open meetings requirements, contracts and procurement, real estate, workers’ compensation, litigation, and other matters affecting school system operations. The position helps identify and evaluate legal and organizational risks, interpret federal and state laws and regulations, oversee litigation and outside counsel, and develop or review Board policies, Superintendent’s rules, procedures, contracts, and other legal documents. It also provides legal guidance and representation across school-system matters, supports legal training and compliance, and assists with the legal services budget and effective use of internal and external legal resources. Employment is for 12 months, exempt, and subject to the policies and procedures of the Board of Education of Charles County and applicable federal and state laws and regulations. The listed salary range is $149,609–$197,376; the Board establishes salary placement and other employment terms. Work is primarily in an administrative office, with attendance at meetings, hearings, court proceedings, negotiations, schools, and other locations. The role may require work outside normal business hours and countywide and statewide travel.

Requirements

Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
Active membership in good standing with the Maryland Bar, or active membership in good standing with another state’s bar and the ability to obtain admission to practice law in Maryland within six months as a condition of continued employment.
At least three years of progressively responsible professional legal experience, including litigation, administrative proceedings, or other experience relevant to public education.
Ability to interpret and apply statutes, regulations, case law, policies, contracts, and legal principles.
Demonstrated leadership, administrative, written and oral communication, and interpersonal skills.
Ability to manage a high-volume, complex legal workload and multiple high-priority matters, litigation, and deadlines.
Knowledge of federal and Maryland laws and regulations applicable to public education.
Knowledge of labor and employment law, special education law, student rights, civil rights, contracts and procurement, administrative law, and governmental compliance.
Ability to anticipate and evaluate complex legal and organizational risks and provide practical, timely, and strategic recommendations.
Ability to communicate complex legal matters clearly to Board members, executive leadership, administrators, employees, and other stakeholders.
Ability to maintain confidentiality, exercise sound professional judgment, and demonstrate high standards of legal and professional ethics.
Ability to travel countywide and statewide and work outside normal business hours as necessary.

Nice To Haves

Experience as General Counsel, Chief Legal Counsel, senior legal counsel, or in a comparable leadership role for a public school system, governmental entity, or other complex public-sector organization.
Experience with Maryland education law and legal and regulatory requirements applicable to Maryland public school systems.
Experience with labor and employment law, employee relations, collective bargaining, and interpreting negotiated agreements.
Knowledge of IDEA, Section 504, student rights, and other federal and state laws affecting public education.
Experience with arbitration, mediation, administrative hearings, litigation, negotiations, and settlement of legal matters.

Responsibilities

Serves as the school system’s deputy chief legal advisor, providing legal opinions, counsel, and recommendations to the Superintendent, executive leadership, administrators, and, when applicable, the Board of Education.
Assists the General Counsel in leading and overseeing CCPS legal services, including assigned legal staff and outside counsel.
Advises on labor and employment matters, including grievances, collective bargaining, negotiated agreements, employee discipline, appeals, discrimination and harassment complaints, EEOC matters, arbitration, mediation, and administrative hearings.
Provides legal counsel on special education and student matters, including IDEA, Section 504, student discipline and due process, student records, FERPA, custody matters, subpoenas, and related proceedings.
Provides legal advice and representation regarding civil rights, discrimination, harassment, Title IX, Office for Civil Rights complaints, and other state and federal administrative agency matters.
Advises the Superintendent and staff on legal appeals, including administrative and Maryland State Board of Education appeals.
Provides guidance on Maryland Public Information Act requests, Open Meetings Act compliance, subpoenas, discovery, and requests for student, employee, and other school system records.
Drafts, reviews, and advises on contracts, procurement, memoranda of understanding, real estate transactions, leases, and other school system agreements.
Assists the General Counsel with litigation management, evaluating claims and potential legal exposure, coordinating case strategy and settlements, overseeing outside counsel, and managing external legal expenditures.
Drafts and reviews Board policies, Superintendent’s rules, procedures, and other governing documents, and advises on proposed legislation and changes in federal and state law.
Monitors legal developments affecting public education and advises leadership on legal risks, compliance requirements, and potential changes to school system practices.
Provides legal guidance on workers’ compensation, risk management, and other claims involving the school system.
Develops and provides legal and compliance training to administrators and staff as appropriate.
Assists with development and oversight of the legal services budget and promotes effective, cost-efficient use of internal and external legal resources.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.