General Counsel

Position Title:          General Counsel

Department:            Legal

Reports To:              Aiken County Board of Education & Superintendent

FLSA Status:            Exempt

SUMMARY: 

The General Counsel is responsible for providing legal services to the Board of Education and legal counsel to the superintendent and district staff. The General Counsel must possess comprehensive knowledge of constitutional law, South Carolina school law, and state statutes pertaining to public education. The attorney must also understand the regulatory powers, limitations, authority, and responsibilities of the Board of Education. To fulfill these duties effectively, the General Counsel must maintain a working knowledge of the Aiken County Public School District and the educational philosophy and policies of the Board of Education.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES: Other duties may be assigned.

• Provides legal opinions, legal interpretations, and recommendations to the Board of Education and district administration for the purpose of ensuring the district maintains compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Reviews, edits, and creates district documents for the purpose of conveying information to both internal and external entities in a legally compliant manner.
• Represents the Aiken County Public School District in legal matters for the purpose of accurately reflecting the legal desires of the Board of Education.
• Advises district staff concerning legal matters for the purpose of maintaining the district in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provides staff development for the purpose of educating others on their legal responsibilities.
• Attends various meetings at district, regional, and state level for the purpose of conveying and/or gathering information required to perform job functions.
• Prepares a wide variety of written materials for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written references, conveying information, and/or supporting presentations concerning policy and procedure changes.
• The General Counsel is responsible for legal services to the Board of Education and for providing legal counsel to the superintendent and staff regarding District legal matters.
• Performs such other duties consistent with their professional competence as the Board may assign.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Supervises secretary.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE:

• Duly licensed by the State of South Carolina to practice law.
• Specialized training and/or experience in school-law issues preferred.
• Established practice with progressively more responsible cases.
• Such alternatives to the above qualifications as the Board may find appropriate.

LANGUAGE SKILLS:  

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community. Ability to write speeches and articles for publication that conform to prescribed style and format. Ability to effectively present information to administrators, public groups/community, and board of education.

MATHEMATICAL SKILLS:

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference and in the display and interpretation of assessment data. Ability to apply basic concepts of statistical analysis, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

OTHER SKILLS and ABILITIES:  

Technology skills.  Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory in specific field.  Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff and the school community. Ability to speak clearly and concisely both in oral and written communication.   Ability to perform duties with awareness of all district requirements and Board of Education policies.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

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. 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 regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to walk. The employee is occasionally required to stand and reach with hands and arms. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision.  Some driving is necessary.  Occasionally, yet essential to this position, the individual must meet deadlines with severe time constraints, interacting with the public and other workers.  Occasionally the position requires the employee to work irregular or extended hours, direct responsibility for the safety, well-being or work output of other people and meet multiple demands from several people.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.  The noise level in the work environment is usually very quiet.

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT 

12 Months (260 Days)

Level 138 Pay Scale

EVALUATION

Performance of this job will be evaluated annually according to Board policy.

The information contained in this job description is for compliance with the American with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) and is not an exhaustive list of the duties performed for this position.  Additional duties are performed by the individuals currently holding this position and additional duties may be assigned.