OPEN UNTIL FILLED
*If you are interested in this position, we highly recommend submitting your application as soon as possible as we will be scheduling interviews when we see applicants who meet the district requirements.*
Salary Schedule Range: Classified Management Salary Schedule, Range 28A - ($202,000 - $263,000)
Purpose of Position: Responsible for coordinating the District’s legal affairs and is the District’s legal
counsel
Reporting:
Under the direction of the Superintendent, responsible for coordinating the District’s legal affairs.
Employment Status: Full-time (FLSA Exempt)
Location: Superintendent’s Office
Essential Functions:
Coordinates the District’s legal affairs and serves as chief legal officer of the District responsible for administering the legal activities of the District and outside legal firms.
Conducts litigation for the District, and participates in trials related to matters of major importance to the educational program.
Serves as a resource person to the Superintendent and the Board of Education regarding all legal matters, administrative policies and procedures related to the District’s educational and administrative programs. Serves as the District’s primary advisor to lead labor negotiator and advises in matters of labor negotiations and employer-employee relations.
Administers the preparation and conduct of litigation authorized by the Board of Education, including the preparation of pleadings and negotiations between parties, and authorizes settlements within the settlement authority.
Represents the District in all certificated and classified disciplinary hearings.
Provides expert legal support in matters that require compliance or contractual agreements.
Represents District employees at hearings where criminal or civil charges are sought against employees, when such charges arise out of the performance of the employee’s duties.
Prepares written opinions and conducts independent research concerning legal relationships, duties, obligations, and rights, and the policies, programs, and projects of the Board of Education and Office of the Superintendent.
Advises the Superintendent and the Board Members on legal matters that arise in Closed Session and Open Session.
Serves as a legal resource related to screening, planning, development, appraisal, and interpretation of legally-related phases of new or special projects or programs.
Anticipates the legal effect of emerging educational and administrative programs and projects, and provides legal support for both Provides the District with expert legal advice related to public agency law, California Ed Code, and relevant Federal and state statutes that apply to public sector work.
Supervises and/or conducts employee disciplinary investigations and other workplace investigations Advises and assists the Board of Education and the Superintendent of Schools in the drafting of rules, regulations, resolutions, legal forms, and other documents.
Drafts and prepares amendments to proposed and existing legislation, other than matters of concern to the Budget Services and Financial Planning Division.
Analyzes legislative bills that affect the operation of the school system. Prepares required reports and special reports as requested.
Trains staff on legal issues.
Evaluates the performance of subordinate personnel.
Ensures the maintenance of compliance requirements and ethical standards. Represents the District as legal counsel and serves to enhance community relations
Performs related duties as assigned.
Working Conditions & Physical Demands:
Indoor work environment. Some travel between District schools and facilities.
Hearing and speaking to exchange information in person or on the telephone; seeing to read a variety of documents; sitting for extended periods of time; walking; dexterity of hand and fingers to operate office equipment; intermittent bending, stooping or reaching overhead to retrieve or store materials; driving a vehicle to conduct business activities.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Provisions of the Education Code, Government Code and other laws, rules, and regulations related to the legal activities of the District.
Administrative organization of the Santa Barbara Unified School District. Exercise analytical and independent judgment
Thorough understanding of the objectives of collective bargaining units and their methods of operation. Leadership skills in facilitating group processes, including consensus building and conflict resolution. The fundamental principles and accepted practices, current trends, literature, and research in the field of employer-employee relations.
Principles of public relations and political activities.
Principles of training, employee evaluation, employee relations, and progressive discipline. Methods of legal research and computer and legal software applications.
Brown Act and conflict of interest laws and provisions.
Ability To:
Demonstrate strong leadership skills.
Work effectively with legal and nonlegal staff, outside legal contacts, and the community. Develop and build consensus and resolve conflicts.
Organize work effectively and efficiently. Demonstrate strong research and writing skills.
Demonstrate computer literacy. Understand and administer a budget.
Understand broad concepts and integrate legal input into major District policy decisions.
Employment Standards
Education, Training and Experience:
A baccalaureate from a recognized college or university and a Juris Doctor degree or equivalent from an American Bar Association-accredited institution.
Five years of experience minimum with Ten years preferred as a practicing member of the Bar. Experience in education law, labor/employment law, or public agency representation preferred. Demonstrated success advising senior leadership or public school boards
Additional Requirements:
Authorization to practice law in California by the California Bar Association. Possession of a valid State of California Class C driver's license.
Ability to be insured and maintain vehicle liability and property damage insurance. Use of an automobile. Written and oral proficiency in a second language is desirable. Experience working in a diverse environment.
Subject to the reporting requirements of the District’s Conflict of Interest Code.
Working Conditions:
Environment:
Regularly works in an office environment; occasionally outside; will be required to use personal vehicle in the course of duties; will be required to attend evening meetings and some travel; and may be required to work an irregular schedule. Work environment is generally clean. Noise level is usually moderate
Physical Demands:
Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a computer and other office equipment; sitting or standing for extended periods of time; seeing to view a computer monitor and read a variety of materials; and hearing and speaking to exchange information in person and on the phone. Work Schedule:
Incumbents will be required to work an irregular schedule that may include working days, nights, weekends and holidays.
Senior District Management Position