Assistant General Counsel (Charter School)

Job Summary

Provides legal advice and representation to the Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Works closely with and provides support to the Charter School Office (CSO) and the Office of the Board of Education as pertains to charter school issues. Provides comprehensive advice and guidance to the CSO, the Board, and various other District departments on charter school, real estate, transactional, and other related issues and administrative or legal proceedings. Collaborates on projects with other members of the Office of General Counsel.

Essential Functions

Charter School Specialty

• Provides legal advice on a wide range of issues including charter schools, real estate, school law, policy, compliance, litigation, and transactions.
• Assists in the development and implementation of policies, practices, procedures, and training through committee participation, training sessions, workshops, and presentations.
• Proactively anticipates client needs and works to maximize efficiency in providing legal services and in District processes.
• Advises on risk management, fact-finding, investigations, issue identification, and resolution.
• Advises District governance, leadership, and program offices.
• Provides counsel to various levels of personnel and administrators concerning issues affecting District and charter school students and families.
• Participates in the evaluation and development of improvement in systems, personnel, and procedures in the Office of General Counsel and other offices as appropriate.
• Interacts professionally and respectfully with District personnel, District partners, parents, guardians, representatives of other governmental and social services entities, contractors, for-profit and nonprofit entities, opposing counsel, and advocacy groups.
• Maintains the utmost confidentiality and protects information from improper disclosure.
• Juggles a substantial workload; use judgment in prioritizing matters; maintains flexibility in work hours and for high-peak workflow; cooperates and collaborates with office colleagues and District clients; accepts responsibilities and opportunities; remains willing to handle matters outside areas of familiarity; adapts to new or different ways of doing things.

Minimum Requirements

All Specialties

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited school of law.
• Three years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.
• Preference for candidates with four years of experience including significant transactional, real estate or charter school law experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

All Specialties

Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the common laws and state and federal laws particularly as they relate to administrative, fiscal and regulatory functions of the School District.
• judicial proceedings and the rules of evidence as related to the area of specialization.
• the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
• the principles and practices of governmental laws.
• the uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to :

• analyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and to present such material in clear and logical form for all written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
• analyze legal documents and instruments.
• draft legal instruments and propose legislation.
• negotiate terms and conditions successfully.
• manage a detail-oriented workload.
• organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.
• collaborate with colleagues and District clients.
• exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact required.
• handle matters outside areas of familiarity.
• manage stress.
• handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• review and process information within a computerized web system throughout the majority of the workday.
• travel as required.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.

Certificates/Licenses

All Specialties

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and membership in good standing and for litigator's admission to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

OR

• Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and are active members in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state and in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period.

Additional Job Information :
This is a 12-month, non-represented role. The salary grade for this position is 4030.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview.

DISCLAIMER: Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Please note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors, including, but not limited to, disciplinary action, ability to follow directions, punctuality, and professional conduct will be considered in the evaluation process.

The selected candidate must have no pending disciplinary action or anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months. In addition, the candidate must have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness within this period of time with the exception of one extended long-term absence)