What are the responsibilities and job description for the Staff Attorney position at Winston Salem/Forsyth County Schools?
FUNCTIONAL PURPOSE
The purpose of this position is to assist the General Counsel in providing advice/guidance to key staff and administrators regarding legal matters ensuring the equitable enforcement of School Board policies across the district.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
Climbing/Balancing
I
Lifting/Carrying
O up to 30 lbs.
Crawling/Kneeling
I
Grasping/Twisting
O
Walking
F
Reaching
F
Running
I
Pushing/Pulling
O
Standing
F
Fingering/Typing
F
Sitting
F
Driving
O requires driving car between sites
Bending/Stooping
O
Others:
In compliance with Federal Law, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
The purpose of this position is to assist the General Counsel in providing advice/guidance to key staff and administrators regarding legal matters ensuring the equitable enforcement of School Board policies across the district.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provide advice and interpretation of law and Board policy for District administrators and key staff; provide counsel most frequently in matters of school law including, but not limited to, enrollment issues, custody disputes, and confidentiality of student and employee records; review orders and documentation sent from school staff to aid in forming legal opinion.
- Assist in conducting investigations, as needed, of instances of personnel misconduct; make reports and recommendations of policy violations to General Counsel.
- Provide advice and representation for school district in grievance matters; meet and prepare Superintendent and other administrators in advance of hearing; prepare witnesses and documentation for Board's review; present arguments to Board panel on behalf of Superintendent and the District's interests.
- Conduct investigations of potential policy or legal violation resulting from anonymous reports or parent/staff complaints; if necessary, create a report or assist General Counsel in creating a response to same; depends on severity of the issue.
- Draft and review contracts submitted by school staff and various departments; Collaborate with outside agencies to create contracts that protect the interests of the District; Attend meetings or telephone conferences to discuss contract issues or to resolve disputes; make recommendations to General Counsel on revisions or amendments; and suggest modifications or revisions at request of General Counsel.
- Assist staff members in responding to subpoenas and other requests for information; Assist Paralegal in coordinating staff court appearances with the District Attorney's Office or the law office that issued the subpoena; Counsel employees on preparing for court and answer any questions they may have; Ensure compliance with FERPA; If necessary, file objections to subpoenas that interfere with FERPA or other law.
- Assist in representing Board of Education in administrative proceedings involving local or state employment agencies (related to unemployment claims), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or the Office of Civil Rights; Prepare for telephone or in-person hearings (ESC); Compile information in response to formal complaints and inquiries (EEOC and OCR).
- Review motions to set aside forfeitures from bondsman and, if necessary, check the files at the courthouse; File objections and appear in Court to contest bond forfeitures set asides; Communicate with debtors and bondsman regarding payment arrangements; Maintain a list of active and past bond forfeitures and running tally of collections.
- Serve as truancy court mediator for truancy court. Assist General Counsel in preparing for litigation, responding to legal correspondence, drafting pleadings, negotiating settlements, or any other litigation-related matters as necessary and at the request of the General Counsel; Court appearances, if necessary.
- Advise Hearing Officer, as needed, with due process procedures, state and federal law related to student disciplinary proceedings, and serve as back-up Hearing Officer if needed.
- Assist in investigating and compiling all necessary information related to complaints of harassment, bullying and discrimination.
- Conduct legal trainings for district staff as needed.
- Performs other related duties as assigned.
- Knowledge of basic principles of criminal law, juvenile law, family law, contract law and civil law.
- Knowledge of state and federal laws related to constitutional and employment law.
- Knowledge of the state and federal laws related to persons with disabilities, including the IDEA and the ADA.
- Ability to communicate effectively with a diverse group of people from a variety of education and socio-economic backgrounds.
- Ability to read, interpret and apply policies, statutes, and theories of law
- Ability to use a computer or other electronic devices to communicate, research information, present information, prepare documents, and collaborate with others.
- Skilled at conducting thorough investigations and keeping detailed notes and accounts.
- Skilled at legal research, legal briefs, and drafting memos to provide concise services interpretations or recommendations according to law.
- Skilled at litigation, including evaluating, preparing, and organizing case strategies, preparing witnesses, compiling exhibits, formulating arguments.
- Ability to present findings or recommendations to both internal work audiences as well as external groups for several hours at a time.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, and parents and maintain a professional demeanor as a representative of the school district.
- Minimum Experience Required: Juris Doctor (JD) required.
- Desirable Experience: Prior work experience in education law, family law, administrative law or related field.
- Valid state license to practice law in North Carolina
- Valid NC driver's license.
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
PHYSICAL
ACTIVITY
FREQUENCY
C - Constant
F - Frequent
O - Occasional
I - Infrequent
NR - Not Required
Climbing/Balancing
I
Lifting/Carrying
O up to 30 lbs.
Crawling/Kneeling
I
Grasping/Twisting
O
Walking
F
Reaching
F
Running
I
Pushing/Pulling
O
Standing
F
Fingering/Typing
F
Sitting
F
Driving
O requires driving car between sites
Bending/Stooping
O
Others:
In compliance with Federal Law, Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools administers all education programs, employment activities and admissions without discrimination against any person on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age, or disability.
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