Description:
Position Summary:An Associate General Counsel, Transactional and Regulatory (Procurement Focus) provides legal guidance to the General Counsel, Superintendent, School Board and school district administrators on administrative and litigation matters regarding but not limited to: (i) construction contracts; (ii) procurement; (iii) transactions; (iv) contract preparation, drafting, negotiation and review; (v) partnership and memorandum of understanding ("MOU") agreement preparation, negotiation, drafting and review; (vi) charter schools; and (vii) statutory and regulatory interpretation.
An Associate General Counsel, Transactional and Regulatory (Procurement Focus) must have an active and extensive understanding of (or a demonstrated aptitude and willingness to quickly learn) the above facets of law. An Associate General Counsel, Transactional and Regulatory (Procurement Focus) should possess expert interpersonal relationship, critical thinking, organizational, writing and researching skills. Also, must exhibit high attention to detail, the ability to prioritize tasks, initiative and a willingness to complete varied tasks.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Law Degree (Juris Doctor) from an accredited law school (Required).
- License in good standing to practice law in the State of Michigan (Required).
- Additional graduate level education (e.g., Master of Business Administration) is desirable.
- Three (3) to seven (7) years of experience as a practicing attorney to include experience working in a law firm, corporation, governmental agency, non-profit business, school district or institution of higher learning.
- Significant experience in school construction matters.
- Significant experience in procurement matters.
- Experience in contract preparation, negotiation, review, drafting and editing.
- Experience in real estate (leases, purchase agreements, land contract agreements, deeds and conveyance documents, negotiations, cell tower issues, etc.)
- Experience in bond/finance and other transactional matters.
- Experience with charter schools, laws and matters.
- Experience with statutory construction, research, review and interpretation.
- Experience using computer-based legal research systems (e.g., Westlaw or Lexus) and knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including but not limited to Word and Excel.
- Experience working with and supervising outside counsel.
- Strong interpersonal, excellent verbal and written communication skills and executive presence necessary to effectively interact with Board Members, Superintendent, senior level managers, individuals throughout the school system and individuals external to the school district.
- Experience with Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and other privacy statutory compliance (preferred).
- Experience with the Michigan School Code (preferred).
- Experience with Freedom of Information Act and other statutory compliance (preferred).
- Ability to quickly and accurately respond to school-based issues and questions (preferred).
Essential Functions:
- Provides legal advice and counsel to administrators.
- Provides counsel and guidance regarding procurement.
- Provides counsel and guidance regarding school improvement and construction contracts.
- Negotiates, prepares, drafts, reviews all contracts between vendors and the school district - and submits recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such contracts.
- Negotiates, prepares, drafts, reviews all agreements (MOUs, MOAs, Partnership Agreements, etc.) relating to the school district - and submits recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such agreements.
- Negotiates, prepares, drafts, reviews all real estate transactions relating to the school district - and submits recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such transactions.
- Negotiates, prepares, drafts, reviews all bond/financing transactions relating to the school district - and submits recommendation to the General Counsel for approval of all such transactions.
- Reviews and interprets statutes and regulations.
- Provides guidance regarding charter schools .
- Provide oral legal advice and written legal opinions to the General Counsel, senior management and Superintendent and/or School Board
- Draft and review FOIA response.
- Perform additional duties as assigned by the General Counsel (or Designee).
Internal Applicants
If you are a current Detroit Public Schools Community District employee, you do not have to submit to a new security clearance, unless your new role requires a different type of criminal background check.
External Applicants
In alignment with Michigan law, if you are hired to fill a position, you will be required to submit to a Detroit Public Schools Community District criminal background check. Information regarding required background checks will be shared at point of hire.
Method of Application:
Applicants must apply through the online application system. Only applications submitted through the online application system will be considered for any posted position and all applications require a resume to be considered.
Successful candidates are required to submit official transcript(s) at point of offer to hire. Teaching service outside of the Detroit Public Schools Community District must be verified by the applicant's prior employer(s) prior to hire. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide all documentation (including copies) as requested.
Applicants requesting assistance during the application process should contact the Office of Human Resources via email at recruitment@detroitk12.org or phone at (313) 873-6897.
DPSCD does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability and/or religion. Contact the Civil Rights Coordinator for more information at (313) 240-4377 or detroitk12.org/compliance.
