General Counsel

Job Description

Leads the Office of Law in its role as in-house counsel for the Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Supervises and evaluates professional and administrative staff. Directs the workflow and oversees the budget of the office. Serves as the chief legal advisor to the school system. Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, system leadership, administration, and the Board of Education regarding all legal matters affecting the administration of public education. Performs other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities

• Serves as the Baltimore County Public Schools system’s primary legal advisor.
• Provides leadership, planning, and direction for the Office of Law to ensure their support of and alignment with the system-wide goals and priorities.
• Plans, directs, supervises, and evaluates attorneys, paralegals, and other staff. Coordinates and reviews the work of outside counsel. Coordinates the work of the Law Office with the programs and activities of other departments and local, state, and federal agencies.
• Provides advice and counsel to the Superintendent, school administrators, and others regarding a variety of legal issues. Confers with the Superintendent.
• Assists the school system in compliance with and creation of Board of Education Policies and Superintendent Rules.
• Responds to and directs the school system’s response to complaints such as those filed with state and federal administrative agencies, including the Office for Civil Rights, Maryland Office of the Inspector General for Education, the Open Meetings Compliance Board, the Office of Administrative Hearings, the Public Information Act Compliance Board, and the Public Employees Relations Board.
• Represents the Baltimore County Public Schools in arbitrations, administrative hearings and in judicial proceedings. Represents BCPS at meetings, public hearings, and conferences. Negotiates settlement agreements.
• Reviews legislation, judicial decisions, and state and federal agency opinions. Keeps current with pertinent legislation, regulations, and case law involving students, public employees and public bodies.
• Prepares witnesses, presents arguments, and provides representation to the school system.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education, Training and Experience: Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Ten years of professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience with legal issues involving public schools, students’ rights, including the rights of students with disabilities, litigation, labor arbitration, settlement, and administrative hearings.
• Experience supervising professional and administrative staff.

Licenses And Certificates

• Admission to the Bar of Maryland.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Knowledge of legal principles and practices. Knowledge of legal research.
• Knowledge of Maryland education law.
• Knowledge of litigation involving administrative agencies and courts.
• Knowledge of the Open Meetings Act.
• Knowledge of the Maryland Public Information Act.
• Knowledge of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
• Knowledge of special education law.
• Knowledge of employment law.
• Knowledge of collective bargaining agreements.
• Knowledge of the policies and procedures followed by local school systems.
• Skill in the practice of law. Skill in conducting legal research.
• Skill in conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
• Skill in providing legal opinions. Skill in communicating effectively.
• Skill in developing effective working relationships with school administrators.
• Skill in oral advocacy.
• Ability to maintain confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Physical And Environmental Conditions

The work of this class is generally sedentary and performed in an office environment. Work includes the operation of office equipment, including personal computers, and occasional limited physical activities.

Conditions Of Employment

May require work beyond regularly scheduled work hours with little or no advanced notice.

FLSA

Exempt

RETIREMENT

Eligible for the Baltimore County Employees’ Retirement System.

SALARY

\$254,242

Visit the BCPS Office of Payroll website for additional information on pay scales, other compensation and leave accruals at: Office of Payroll - Baltimore County Public Schools -

OTHER COMPENSATION

Position may be eligible for relocation bonus, extra duty activities pay, or other student activities pay as defined in the applicable Bargaining Unit Agreement.

BENEFITS

BCPS offers a comprehensive benefits program for eligible employees including options for medical plans, dental plans, vision, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, disability coverage, and 403b/457 plans. Other benefits include paid holidays, sick, personal business, and bereavement days, and flexible leave options such as FMLA, sick bank, and board approved leaves. All new hires will attend a benefits meeting upon hire.

Non-discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board’s nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 View phone number on click.appcast.io).