General Counsel

This application is for external candidates only. Current DCSD employees must apply through their district log-on.

About the Role

The District’s General Counsel is the principal legal advisor on legal matters impacting the Douglas County School District RE-1 (the “District”), providing full-time, direct professional legal counsel and representation for the Board of Education, Superintendent, Cabinet, and senior staff.

Responsibilities

• Manage and support the legal review of contracts and intergovernmental agreements entered into on behalf of the School District.
• Maintain knowledge of the operations of the school district.
• Manage the maintenance of files and retrieval systems of legal information consistent with school district policy and procedures.
• Support the development and implementation of legal training for School District staff and administration on various legal topics concerning the practical application of the law and policy obligations.
• Perform other duties as assigned or requested.
• Ensure Superintendent’s School District-wide climate and culture principles are embedded in Legal Department employee practices and, where appropriate, in advice given to administrative staff.
• Manage the competence and professionalism of the legal staff providing legal services to the District in various areas of school law.
• Assure competent legal counsel is available to provide advice on federal and state labor and employment laws (e.g., Title VII, FMLA, ADA, FLSA), the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, Family Education Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA), Colorado’s Sunshine and Public Records Law, student rights and discipline, First Amendment issues, educational accountability, facilities use, construction law, general litigation, and the Colorado Charter Schools Act.
• Manage, direct, and support attorneys representing the School District in litigation, suits, or actions in state or federal court or administrative agencies.
• Assign, review, and approve the work of outside counsel providing legal services to the District.
• Manage and/or direct the investigation and research of emerging legal and policy issues, advising the Superintendent accordingly.
• Assure sufficient resources are available to the Department’s attorneys and staff to support the needs of the School District.
• Advise the Board and Superintendent on the legality of contemplated actions and current policies and practices.
• Manage the review and revision of Board and Superintendent policies to ensure compliance with state and federal laws.
• Provide oral and written legal opinions to the School Board, Superintendent, and other administrators on legal questions pertaining to the business of the School District, including issues involving students, staff, and the community.

Supervisory Duties: Lead attorneys and staff in the Legal Department through day-to-day supervision and regular evaluation.

Requirements

• At least ten (10) years of professional experience in the practice of law, including experience representing education entities on general school law issues and/or experience representing corporate or public entities in constitutional, employment, or public sector law.
• Experience conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
• Experience representing clients in litigation, negotiation, mediation, and administrative hearings.
• Significant experience advising education sector clients on general school law issues.
• Licensed Active Attorney – Colorado Supreme Court.
• Bachelor’s Degree (Required), Juris Doctorate Degree (Required).

Skills

Highly effective ability to:

• Analyze the multitude of legal issues impacting a large public school district.
• Communicate effectively orally and in writing, including delivering legal opinions in both forms.

Environmental and Physical Demands

• Mostly clean and comfortable work environment.
• Occasional lifting of five (5) to ten (10) pounds.
• Frequent sitting; occasional bending, squatting, or standing.
• Requires travel around a 900 square mile district using a personal vehicle.

Pay

Full salary range: $150,265.77 USD - $236,069.82 USD annual. Hiring range: $150,265.77 USD - $193,167.79 USD annual. All salary amounts are based on a full-time (1.0) FTE; part-time salaries will be prorated.

Schedule

• Regular, full-time position (1.0 FTE).
• 40 scheduled hours per week.
• 260 work days per year (year-round position with time off as scheduled).

Benefits

This position is eligible for:

• Health, vision, and dental insurance.
• Health savings account (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA).
• District-paid and voluntary supplemental life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability, critical illness, and accident voluntary insurance.
• Employee assistance program (EAP).
• Voluntary 401(k), 403(b), and 457 retirement plan options.
• Voluntary 403(b) savings plan with up to 4% District match for up to 5 years from date of hire.
• Paid time off.

Pre-employment requirements: Criminal background check and fingerprinting required for hire.