Under the direction of the General Counsel, the Associate General Counsel will be responsible for providing advice of counsel and legal representation on matters relating to labor contract review, grievances, appeals, arbitrations, mediations, special education, 504 and federal and state labor laws.  The incumbent of this position will coordinate with the Office of General Counsel for information production in response to Maryland Public Information Act requests and subpoenas of records, as well as reviewing and drafting Board policy and school system administrative procedures.  Responsibilities may also include providing legal opinions and advice of counsel to the Superintendent of Schools and executive level staff on federal, state and local issues impacting public education, human resources, delivery of instruction to special populations and employee and labor matters.    

Responds to subpoenas and other legal inquiries, including requests for employee records and other matters;

Assists with drafting, reviewing for sufficiency, and implementation of regulations and procedures, including Board policies and administrative procedures impacting employee and labor relations;

Responds to requests for information in accordance with the Maryland Public Information Act; responds to requests and subpoenas for records information production;

Provides advice of counsel and legal representation on employee and labor matters, including preparing legal briefs, settlement agreements, requests for reconsideration, and other correspondence, motions, pleadings, and documents in dispute matters such as, but not limited to, grievance, appeal, mediation and arbitration proceedings;

Provides advice of counsel and legal representation on special education, Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 matters, including preparing legal briefs, settlement agreements, requests for reconsideration and other correspondence, motions, pleadings and documents in dispute matters such as IDEA and Section 504 matters.

Conducts fact-finding, exhibit preparation and/or witness preparation for grievances, appeals, mediations, due process and arbitration proceedings;

Participates in litigation handled by external counsel;

Serves as a legal consultant for unemployment insurance claims, reviews and resolutions as directed;

Identifies and coordinates with the General Counsel regarding professional development opportunities for PGCPS staff; and

Performs other duties as assigned.

Thorough knowledge of and skill in the application of analytical and evaluative methods and techniques such as research, fact-finding, and analyses;

Demonstrated ability to analyze data and provide alternative solutions to problems;

Excellent oral and written communication skills;

Experience in making presentations, negotiating settlements and writing proposed decisions in complaint cases;

Demonstrated experience in interpreting negotiated agreements and resolving employee and labor relations issues;

Demonstrated experience in interpreting IDEA, Section 504 and others laws and regulations relating to the provision of education to special needs population.

Arbitration, mediation and administrative hearing experience;

Ability to effectively handle a high-volume caseload;

The ability to interact with diverse populations that include school system personnel, the public and elected officials on behalf of the Superintendent of Schools and the Board of Education; and

Demonstrated proficiency with software applications (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite-Word, Excel, Power Point, and Google Tools preferred).

 

Doctorate of Jurisprudence from an accredited Law School; admitted to the Maryland Bar. A minimum of three (3) years of legal experience with a school board or public/private organization requiring responsibility in the areas of employee and labor relations, including mediation and arbitration settlements.

 

 

 

Doctorate of Jurisprudence from accredited Law School.

 

 

No direct supervisory responsibilities.



The physical demands are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to stand, talk, hear, walk, sit, and use fingers, tools or controls. The employee is occasionally required to reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision such as to read handwritten or typed material, the ability to adjust focus, and depth perception. While performing the duties of this job, the employee may occasionally push or lift up to 25 lbs.




The work environment characteristics are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of the job.




None.