Chief Legal Counsel

Job Description

Jeffco Public Schools (Jeffco) is located in Jefferson County, Colorado. It is the second largest school district in Colorado serving 69,000 students across 155 schools. With 14,000 employees, the district is the largest employer in Jefferson County and has provided educational excellence for more than 70 years.

Jeffco embraces the spirit of the West and the natural beauty of the Rocky Mountain region with the county spanning more than 770 square miles running the length of the western edge of the Denver metropolitan area. The district is diverse in both population and geography, from urban to rural, including the mountain communities in the foothills west of Denver.

Overall, Jeffco has 31% of students that qualify for free and reduced lunch, an indicator of poverty, and 34% minority (25% Hispanic) student population. The district is implementing a new strategic plan, Jeffco Thrives 2025 that is focused on providing a world-class education that prepares all Jeffco students for bright and successful futures as local and global citizens. Come join us!

Jeffco Public Schools is a Single-State Employer. All candidates hired by Jeffco Public Schools must reside within the state of Colorado.

SUMMARY: Provides strategic legal leadership and serves as the principal legal advisor to the Board of Education, Superintendent, and District leadership. Leads and oversees the Legal Department, including supervision of other attorneys and oversight of the district's public records production processes. Provides counsel on complex legal matters, litigation, labor and employment matters, collective bargaining, contracts, policy, compliance, and legal risk. Advises on legal considerations related to the District?s strategic initiatives and directs the District?s legal resources including external legal counsel. Provides strategic legal guidance that supports effective governance, sound decision-making, and the District?s educational mission.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

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• Advise District leadership on legal risks associated with District operations and strategic initiatives and recommend strategies to mitigate potential liability and ensure compliance with applicable legal requirements.
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• Work with district leadership and departments to review pending legislation, assess potential impacts on the District, and provide guidance on responses to public records requests and subpoenas.
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• Oversee and provide legal guidance on the development and revision of Board of Education and district policies.
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• As appropriate, represent the District's legal interest during complex meetings, arbitration, hearings, negotiations, and legal conferences.
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• Represent, counsel, advise, instruct, and defend school administrators, District administrators, and District Superintendent regarding a wide variety of complex legal matters.
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• Advise the Board of Education on pending legal matters and Board compliance with open meetings and open records laws.
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• Direct and manage the District's legal services, including the assignment of work to external legal counsel.
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• Draft and review legal documents including, contracts, charter applications, policies and regulations, resolutions, negotiated agreements, and position statements in response to CCRD, EEOC, OCR and other regulatory agencies.
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• As appropriate, review a wide variety of written correspondence and legal documents for the District including contracts, leases, policies, agreements, and position statements.
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• Research and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances, and other legal authorities; anticipate potential litigation and administrative claims; gather information and conduct investigations as necessary; and coordinate legal resources to address emerging issues. Identify legal trends and collaborate with District partners to develop strategies and programs that address associated risks.
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• Provide expert advice matters related to the Human Resources Department including advising District managers in discipline and performance issues, grievances, hearings and disputes. Represent the District's position in hearings, disputes, and arbitrations, when required.
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• Provide legal guidance and collaborate with Human Resources and other District departments to develop and implement training programs that promote compliance with applicable laws, policies, and procedures.
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• Advise and provide legal counsel to Labor Relations staff in matters related to collective bargaining, grievance process, and labor law.
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• Other duties as assigned.
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To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE A minimum of 7 years of experience in a senior level legal role. Experience representing public entities and/or experience in education law, constitutional law, contract law, and open meetings and records act law preferred.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS Member of the Colorado Bar in good standing or the ability to gain admission within 60 days of employment offer. License to practice law in Colorado, or eligible for admission on motion under C.R.C.P. 203.1.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & ABILITIES Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and regulations applicable to public school districts, including education law, employment and labor law, public records, open meetings, civil rights, contracts, and administrative proceedings. Knowledge of principles and practices of litigation, dispute resolution, collective bargaining, policy development, and legal risk management. Knowledge of public-sector governance and the legal responsibilities of school districts, Boards of Education, and executive leadership. Skilled in legal analysis, interpreting, and applying laws and regulations. Skilled in developing sound legal strategies and recommendations. Skilled in drafting, reviewing, and negotiating legal documents and agreements. Skilled in managing litigation, legal proceedings, and external legal counsel. Skilled in communicating complex legal concepts to diverse audiences. Ability to exercise independent professional judgment and discretion in complex and sensitive legal matters. Ability to manage competing priorities and legal resources while meeting critical deadlines. Ability to maintain confidentiality, professional integrity, and effective working relationships.

SPAN OF CONTROL Provides districtwide legal leadership and oversees the Legal Department, including direct supervision of department staff. Advises the Board of Education, Superintendent, and District leadership on complex legal matters, legal risks, and compliance requirements. Directs the assignment and coordination of legal work, including the engagement and oversight of external legal counsel, and establishes priorities for addressing legal matters affecting District operations. Exercises professional judgment and discretion in matters involving significant legal, financial, operational, and reputational risk, while ensuring legal guidance supports the District's governance responsibilities and educational mission.

Desired Start Date: November 15, 2026

Chief Legal Counsel

Annual Position

FLSA: Exempt

FTE: 1.0, Hours/Day: 8.0, Days/Year: Year Round

Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA - Administrator - 229 days , G014, 1

Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $139,488 - $177,302 Effective as of: 08-16-2025

Full Salary Range: $139,488 - $215,116

Salary offers exceeding midpoint (based on education and experience) are subject to superintendent approval.

Compensation schedules for Jeffco Schools can be found here. Starting salary for non-licensed roles is based on the candidate's relevant work experience and education. Additional considerations may be given for job-specific certifications and skills. Applicants should submit all relevant and verifiable education, training and work experiences at the time of application. Starting Salary for licensed educators is based on the step and lane schedule found here.

PRE-EMPLOYMENT REQUIREMENT

The successful new hire or rehired candidate will be responsible to complete and incur the fingerprinting and processing fee of $57.50 through an appropriate fingerprinting vendor and the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, within 48 hours of offer acceptance.

SALARY

Jeffco Salary Schedules

BENEFITS

Jeffco Benefits

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.

Accepting applications through October 12, 2026