Reports To: General Counsel Work Year Days: 226 Salary: Actual salary will be calculated based on experience Primary Purpose:
Provide legal support for campus and department administrators. Assist and advise the General Counsel on legal matters.
Qualifications:
Education/Certification:
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an ABA accredited law school
Licensed to practice law in the State of Texas
Special Knowledge/Skills:
Knowledge of legal terminology and state, federal, and local laws and regulations related to public education
Skill in interpreting the application of local, state, and federal law and regulations, particularly as they relate to a large organization
Skill in accurately processing in a fast-paced and structured deadline environment
Skill in legal research and writing
Skill in contract negotiations
Skill in critical thinking, problem-solving, and legal analysis
Ability to balance legal risks against operational concerns when providing legal counsel
Ability to prioritize tasks and coordinate multiple projects to meet specific deadlines
Ability to effectively communicate with diverse groups of individuals utilizing tact and diplomacy
Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged and sensitive information at all times
Experience:
Minimum of three years of experience practicing law
Experience working directly with clients
Experience in school law, employment law, public/government law, and contract law preferred
Major Responsibilities and Duties:
Legal Counsel:
Supervise District contracting processes including advising District staff regarding contract terms, drafting contracts, notices, amendments, terminations, negotiating with vendors, and the contract approval process.
Provide support to campus staff regarding requests for student records.
Supervise response to subpoenas for records and advise staff regarding subpoenas for testimony.
Advise campus personnel regarding documents relating to divorce decrees and possession orders.
Advise campus and department administrators regarding a variety of legal issues.
Provide legal counsel to the District's 504 Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator and advise all personnel involved in Title IX complaint investigations and responses.
Provide legal counsel to campus and department administrators with the District’s internal grievance process and procedures
Special Education:
Advise Special Education staff on relevant legal matters.
Participate in Admission, Review, and Dismissal Committee meetings as needed.
Manage and participate as counsel in due process hearing activities, including engagement and oversight of outside counsel, gathering information necessary to respond to discovery requests, identifying potential risks to the District, drafting responses and briefs, participating in pre-hearing conferences and mediations, and preparing staff as well as coordinating testimony of relevant personnel at hearings.
Respond to Texas Education Agency (TEA) and U.S. Department of Education - Office for Civil Rights (OCR) complaints, including gathering relevant documentation, drafting narrative responses to requests for information, and preparing witnesses during TEA and OCR investigations.
Employment:
Advise Human Resources staff on relevant legal matters.
Participate in Employee grievance conferences and investigatory interviews as legal counsel as needed.
Respond to Texas Workforce Commission and/or Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) complaints and/or investigations, including gathering relevant documentation, drafting narrative responses to requests for information or position statements, and preparing witnesses during related investigations.
Prepare the local record and represent District Administration at Employee grievance hearings before the District’s Board of Trustees.
General Responsibilities:
Design and facilitate training for campus and central administrators regarding contract processes, complaint processes and responses, First Amendment issues, and other legal issues as requested.
Maintain effective working relationships and provide a high level of customer service to administrators, District officials and employees, co-workers, vendors, outside attorneys and organizations, and the general public.
Participate in the selection, training, evaluation, and supervision of department staff and make recommendations relative to assignment, retention, discipline, and dismissal.
Other Duties as Assigned:
Frisco ISD retains the right to adjust the responsibilities and assignments of all positions as needed to meet the needs of the District.
Work Relationships:
Frisco ISD is committed to fostering a collaborative work environment that honors and supports the social and emotional well-being of all. Employees are expected to interact in a manner that is becoming of educators and promotes high levels of productivity for the benefit of the students we serve.
Working Conditions:
Mental Demands/Physical Demands/Environmental Factors:
Fluctuating workload demands; deadline-driven work. Occasional high-stress assignments. Maintain emotional control under stress. Work with frequent interruptions. May be subject to repetitive motion such as typing, data entry and vision to monitor. Frequent standing, stooping, bending, kneeling, pushing and pulling. Prolonged use of computer and repetitive hand motions. Frequent prolonged and irregular hours.
Disclosure Statements:
The foregoing statements describe the general purpose and responsibilities assigned to this job and are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities and duties that may be assigned or skills that may be required.
The Frisco Independent School District is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against applicants or employees because of race, national origin, gender, age, religion, or disability status of otherwise qualified individuals. FISD does not discriminate on the basis of membership or application for membership in the uniformed services.
