Description:
Position Overview:The Office of General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing expert advice of counsel and legal representation to DCPS' Chancellor, Central Office, principals, and other school-based staff to help ensure that all DCPS students, regardless of background or circumstance, receive a world-class education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Major practice areas in OGC include: General Practice, which includes FOIA, FERPA, policy and ethics, Labor and Employment, and Special Education due process litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Additionally, the office includes the Labor Management and Employee Relations (LMER) team and the Compliance division.
The Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER) work group is responsible for supporting DCPS on a wide range of employee relations matters, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with EEO laws; facilitating the proper implementation of progressive discipline; assisting employees with workplace problems; collaborating with unions to resolve issues and address concerns; working with managers to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies; scheduling meditations and hearings to address grievances; investigating allegations of misconduct by employees, contractors, and volunteers; and conducting background investigations to determine suitability for DCPS employment and service providers.
The Attorney, Trial (Labor & Employment) will represent DCPS at administrative hearings, make policy recommendations to DCPS leadership, and provide legal advice and counseling to stakeholders across the school system. The Attorney, Trial (Labor & Employment) may work on legal matters across all practice areas, given the requirement of the client, to handle a diverse body of work.
This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Pre-employment drug and alcohol test; Traffic record check (as applicable); Reasonable suspicion drug and alcohol test; and Post-accident or incident drug and alcohol test.
If you are hired into this position at an annual salary of one hundred fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) or more, DC government regulations require that you must establish residency in the District of Columbia within one hundred eighty (180) days of the effective date of the appointment and continue to maintain residency within the District of Columbia throughout the duration of the appointment.
The Attorney, Trial (Labor & Employment) will report to the Deputy, General Counsel.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.
- Advises clients in the interpretation of relevant laws, including, but not limited to, labor and employment laws.
- Prepares and presents legal memoranda and opinions on matters upon request by the client.
- Represents DCPS in administrative hearings in various fora including, but not limited to: the Office of Employee Appeals; Office of Human Rights; the Office of Administrative Hearings; the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; and grievance hearings before hearing officers and arbitrators.
- Provides advice and counsel to school-based leaders on labor and employment laws and policies that directly impact the school.
- Participates in the formulation of and development of policies, procedures, and programs.
- Advises of trends or problems and recommends appropriate corrective action.
- Conducts and presents legal research of the impact of new and proposed legislation on the interests of DCPS.
- Communicates with DCPS administrators, other attorneys, and outside organizations to coordinate activities, resolve issues and conflicts, and exchange information.
- Coordinates with litigation counsel in the DC Office of Attorney General (OAG) and the DC Office of Labor Relations and Collective Bargaining (OLRCB) to prepare, among other things, discovery requests in cases pending before administrative and judicial bodies including, but not limited to, the DC Superior Court, the US District Courts, and the Public Employee Relations Board (PERB).
- May represent the General Counsel and DCPS with external stakeholders.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor and at least three years of legal experience.
- Member of the District of Columbia Bar or the ability to become a member within six months of hire.
- Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
- Previous experience litigating labor and employment matters.
- Demonstrated technical mastery and use of judgment in the application of law to complex fact patterns.
- Demonstrated skill in fact-finding, analysis, problem solving, writing, presentation, consulting, and conflict resolution techniques to identify problems and recommend solutions.
DCPS Values
- Students First: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
- Courage: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
- Equity: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
- Excellence: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
- Teamwork: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
- Joy: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.
