Law Office.General Counsel.0998

BCPS • Towson, MD

15h

About The Position

Plans, administers, coordinates, and directs the Office of Law. Supervises professional and administrative staff. Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, Board of Education, senior staff, schools, administrators, and others regarding all legal matters including employment, construction, contracts, special education, student disciplinary matters, student due process rights, the search and seizure of students, sexual harassment, discrimination, Title IX, Maryland Open Meetings Act compliance, Maryland Public Information Act compliance, and related legal matters. Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience with legal issues involving public schools, students’ rights, including the rights of students with disabilities, litigation, labor arbitration, settlement, and administrative hearings.
• Admission to the Bar of Maryland.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices.
• Knowledge of legal research.
• Knowledge of Maryland education law.
• Knowledge of litigation involving administrative agencies and courts.
• Knowledge of the Open Meetings Act.
• Knowledge of the Maryland Public Information Act.
• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Knowledge of special education law.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures followed by local school systems.
• Skill in the practice of law.
• Skill in conducting legal research.
• Skill in conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
• Skill in providing legal opinions.
• Skill in communicating effectively.
• Skill in developing effective working relationships with school administrators.
• Skill in oral advocacy.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.
• Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Responsibilities

• Serves as the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS) system’s primary legal advisor.
• Provides leadership, planning, and direction for the Office of Law to ensure their support of and alignment with the system-wide goals and priorities.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates attorneys, paralegals, and other staff.
• Coordinates and reviews the work of outside counsel.
• Coordinates the work of the Law Office with the programs and activities of other departments and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, schools administrators, and others regarding a variety of legal issues.
• Confers with the Superintendent.
• Assists the school system in compliance with and creation of Board of Education Policies and Superintendent Rules.
• Responds to and directs the school system’s response to complaints such as those filed with state and federal administrative agencies, including the Office for Civil Rights, Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education, the Maryland Open Meetings Compliance Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools in arbitrations, administrative hearings and in judicial proceedings.
• Represents BCPS at meetings, public hearings, and conferences.
• Negotiates settlement agreements.
• Reviews legislation, judicial decisions, and state and federal agency opinions.
• Keeps current with pertinent legislation, regulations, and case law involving students, public employees and public bodies.
• Prepares witnesses, presents arguments, and provides representation to the school system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403(b)/457 plans.
• Other benefits include paid holidays, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves.
• Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree