Job Title: General Counsel to Superintendent
| Reports to: | Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent |
| Job Group: | Administrative |
| FLSA: | Exempt |
| Job Code: | 1231 |
| Salary Schedule: | APT11 |
JOB GOAL
Responsible for providing direct, full-time professional legal counsel to the Superintendent and District administrative staff on matters affecting the operation of the school system.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide legal advice and counsel to the Superintendent and staff on matters affecting the operation of the school system.
- Provide legal services for all departments, divisions, and offices of the school district.
- Conduct and oversee direct legal research.
- Assist in the drafting, review, and/or negotiation of Board Policies, administrative rules, contracts, proposed legislation, and other legal documents.
- Prepare and render oral and/or written legal opinions when requested.
- Cooperate in the coordination and directing of investigations of claims or complaints by or against the District.
- Assist in the evaluation and settlement of liability, workers compensation, and other claims or complaints against the District.
- Cooperate in the preparation of materials and/or testimony for records requests, subpoenas, depositions, and any other legal processes involving the District.
- Assist in the representation of the District in litigation and/or administrative claims brought by or against the District.
- Aid in the preparation of materials and implementation of staff development in relevant legal areas as requested.
- Maintain confidentiality of privileged attorney-client matters.
- Provide assistance with preparing and presenting litigation reports to the school board.
- Responsible for self-development and keeping abreast on current research, trends, and best practices relevant to the area of responsibility.
- Assist the Superintendent by providing counsel and leadership during emergency or crisis situations.
- Work collaboratively with the School Board Attorney on any assignments where responsibility may overlap.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Knowledge of Florida Statutes, Florida Rules of Court, Florida Rules of Civil Procedures, Florida Rules of Appellate Procedures, Florida Rules of Judicial Administration, Federal Judicial Procedures and Rules, Florida Administrative Code, Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) proceedings, and Office of Civil Rights (OCR) proceedings
- Knowledge of school law, Sunshine laws, labor law, general law, administrative law, and established precedents and sources of legal reference
- Knowledge of court procedures and rules of evidence
- Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge
- Ability to prepare cases and present material clearly and logically in both oral and written form
- Ability to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences, orally and in writing, including electronic media
- Operating knowledge of computer programs, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and databases
- Excellent time management skills and ability to organize, prioritize, manage, and carry out duties efficiently and within established timeframes
- Ability to establish and maintain collaborative working relationships with all stakeholders
EDUCATION, TRAINING & EXPERIENCE
- Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited school of law
- Admission to and member in good standing with the State Bar of Florida
- Admitted or eligible to become a member of the Bar for the Federal District Court for the Middle District of Florida
- Admitted or eligible to become a member of the Bar for the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
- Three years’ experience or more of successful practice experience in federal and/or state courts and/or administrative agencies
- OR
- Any equivalent combination of education and experience which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities of the position
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES & REGISTRATIONS
- Valid and current Florida Bar Board Certification
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Three years’ experience or more of successful practice experience as a public agency attorney
- Experience in and knowledge of laws applicable to the operation of a K-12 school district
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
Direct supervision of assigned personnel. Responsibilities include planning, assigning, and directing work; addressing complaints and resolving problems; training employees; evaluating performance; and interviewing, testing, hiring, and assignment of personnel.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently. If the use of arm and/or leg controls require exertion of forces greater than that for sedentary work and the worker sits most of the time, the job is rated as light work.
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit, talk, and hear; stand and walk; use hands/fingers to handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms. Specific vision ability required by this job includes close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Indoors and Outdoors: The worker is subject to both environmental conditions. Activities occur inside and outside.
MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT
- General office equipment, including personal computers, fax machines, copiers, telephones, etc.
TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT
Salary and benefits shall be paid consistent with the District’s approved compensation plan. Length of the work year and hours of employment shall be established by the District.
Performance of the job will be evaluated in accordance with provisions of the School Board’s policy on evaluation of personnel.
Nothing in this job description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Pasco County Schools will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to allow them to perform the essential functions of the job when such individuals request an accommodation.
