General Counsel job description

To manage, supervise, plan and coordinate the activities and operations of the Legal Services Unit; to coordinate assigned activities with other units, divisions, and outside agencies; and to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the organization.

Coordinate the organization, staffing, and operational activities for the Legal Services Unit including providing legal counsel

Participate in the development and implementation of goals, objectives, policies, and priorities for the Legal Services Unit; identify resource needs; recommend and implement policies and procedures.

Select, train, motivate and evaluate Legal Services Unit personnel; provide or coordinate staff training; work with employees to correct deficiencies; implement discipline and termination procedures.

Direct, coordinate and review the work plan for Legal Services Unit; meet with staff to identify and resolve problems; assign work activities and projects; monitor work flow; review and evaluate work products, methods and procedures.

Identify opportunities for improving service delivery methods and procedures; review with appropriate management staff; implement improvements.

Participate in the development and administration of the Legal Services Unit program budget; forecast additional funds needed for staffing, equipment, materials, and supplies; direct the monitoring of and approve expenditures; recommend adjustments as necessary.

Coordinate the Legal Services Unit with those of other divisions and outside agencies and organizations; provide staff assistance to the Deputy Superintendent; prepare and present staff reports and other necessary correspondence.

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Direct and participate in the performance of professional legal counsel; act as an advocate for public education.
Direct and participate in the drafting of legal documents, rules and regulations, resolutions, conveyances, contracts and various related matters.

Analyze and review contracts which bind or obligate the Department of Education; provide legal opinions and recommendations to ensure the Department of Education is properly and effectively represented in such matters.

Render legal opinions as required; conduct on-going legal research in connection with legal issues pertaining to the Department of Education and school districts.

Draft original legislation as required; review proposed legislation for school impact.
Appear before courts and administrative proceedings to represent the Department's interest as required; prosecute cases as required.

Represent the Department of Education in litigation instituted against the Department and local school districts.
Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of law.
Must demonstrate attendance sufficient to complete the duties of the position as required.
Perform related duties similar to the above in scope and impact as required.

Knowledge of:

Operational characteristics, services and activities of a legal services program.
Principles and applications of labor law, collective bargaining, business law, contracts, education law, and administrative law.
Methods of legal research; established precedents applicable to activities.
Judicial procedures and rules of evidence.
Principles of budget preparation and control.

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Knowledge of (cont.):
Principles of supervision, training and performance evaluation.
California Education Code, Administrative Codes and the Government Code.
Pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, codes and regulations.

Ability to:
Manage and coordinate the work of supervisory, professional, and technical personnel.
Select, supervise, train and evaluate staff.
Interpret and explain Legal Services Unit policies and procedures.
Prepare and control Legal Services Unit budget.
Prepare clear and concise reports.
Analyze problems, identify alternative solutions, project consequences of proposed actions and implement recommendations in support of goals.
Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods, procedures and techniques.
Present statements of law, fact and argument clearly and logically.
Conduct research on complex legal problems and prepare sound legal opinions.
Prepare and present cases in court as required.
Interpret and apply Federal, State and local policies, procedures, laws and regulations.
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work.
Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations; communicating with others; reading and writing; and operating assigned equipment.
Maintain mental capacity which allows the capability of making sound decisions and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

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Experience and Training Guidelines
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:

Experience:
Six years of increasingly responsible professional experience in educational law or a related legal field.
Training:
A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school.
License or Certificate
Membership in the State Bar.

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General Counsel job description