Assistant General Counsel (Special Education) (2372)

Responsibilities

• Assists the General Counsel in the coordination and administration of the District’s legal affairs, with primary responsibility for matters involving special education and student services.
• Provides legal advice, representation, training, and guidance to District administrators and staff to ensure compliance with federal and state laws governing students with disabilities.
• Represents the District in administrative hearings and legal proceedings related to special education, and supports the development, implementation, and review of District policies, procedures, and programs impacting students with disabilities.
• Assists in the preparation and conduct of administrative litigation, including matters involving special education, student rights, student records, and compliance.
• Represents the District in special education due process hearings, mediations, resolution sessions, and related proceedings before the Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH) and other agencies.
• Advises District administrators, including Special Education and Student Services leadership, regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides guidance on the development, review, and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), eligibility determinations, placement decisions, manifestation determinations, and discipline involving students with disabilities.
• Attends IEP meetings upon request to represent the District.
• Responds to and manages complaints and investigations filed with agencies such as the California Department of Education (CDE) and the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
• Prepares written legal opinions and conducts research regarding legal relationships, duties, obligations, and rights affecting special education programs and services, and student issues.
• Composes and/or edits prior written notice letters (PWNs).
• Assists in drafting and reviewing Board policies, administrative regulations, contracts, agreements, and legal documents related to special education and student services.
• Under general guidance, coordinates with outside legal counsel on assigned matters, including reviewing pleadings, assisting in discovery, developing legal strategies, and monitoring legal expenditures.
• Provides training to administrators, certificated staff, and classified staff regarding legal requirements and best practices related to special education and student rights.
• Anticipates the legal impact of emerging programs, legislation, and case law affecting special education and advises the General Counsel and District leadership accordingly.
• Assists in the investigation of complaints or allegations involving legal compliance in special education programs and student issues.
• Prepares reports and provides updates to the General Counsel, Superintendent, and Board of Education as needed.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements

Education

• A baccalaureate degree from a recognized college or university and a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution or an institution accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California.

Experience

• Three (3) years of experience as a practicing member of the Bar. Strong preference for candidates with prior experience in education law and/or special education matters.

Licenses and Certificates

• Authorization to practice law in California by the California State Bar.
• Possession of a valid State of California driver’s license and the ability to maintain insurability.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

The Board of Education is committed to equal opportunity for all individuals in education. District programs, activities and services shall be free from unlawful discrimination, harassment (including sexual harassment), intimidation, and/or bullying based on actual or perceived sex, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, nationality, religion, age, sexual orientation, sexual preference, ancestry, ethnic group identification, gender, gender expression, gender identity, physical or mental disability, marital or parental status, or on the basis of a person's association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics, or sexual harassment in any district service, program and/or activity that receives or benefits from state financial assistance. The Board shall promote programs which ensure that unlawful discriminatory practices are eliminated in all district activities. The District will take steps to assure that the lack of English will not be a barrier to admission and participation in district programs.