Website Anoka-Hennepin School District
Location: ESC – Legal Counsel
Date Closing: 03/02/2021
Posting # 9094
GENERAL COUNSEL
Full Time 12 months
Provide quality professional legal counsel, advice, and representation to the Superintendent and the School Board on all matters affecting the operation of the school district. Assume general administrative responsibility for General Counsel’s Office including bargaining unit contract negotiations, contract interpretation and compliance, and legal interpretation and compliance.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Represent the District in all negotiations, arbitrations, grievances, and representation issues with District bargaining units.
Represent the District as legal counsel for all labor relations litigation and for all student services related activities requiring legal representation.
Provide legal opinions, legal interpretations, and recommendations to district administration for the purposes of ensuring the district maintains compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, MDE policies, practices, and general legal principles affecting the public school system.
Manage all District litigation and advise the School Board and Superintendent on issues needing outside legal representation. Monitor and review the work performed by outside counsel.
Consult with a team determined by the Superintendent to ensure appropriate budgeting of negotiated salaries and benefits.
Serve as legal counsel for the School Board; attend School Board meetings.
Assist School Board members in the legal performance of their duties, and fair and just discharging of such obligations to students, staff, employees, and the public.
Serve as District resource to all administration with regard to student and personnel issues.
Provide staff development for the purposes of educating others on their legal responsibilities.
Provide guidance on employment laws, records retention management, and Minnesota Government Data Practices Act.
Coordinate District responses to human rights, discrimination, harassment, and state agency complaints.
Member of the Superintendent’s Cabinet, the leadership team for the school district.
Perform other tasks and assumes other responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
Directly supervise Associate General Counsel and Administrative Assistant. Responsible for overall direction, coordination and evaluation of the General Counsel Office. Carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with school district policies and applicable law. Duties include interviewing, hiring, and training employees, planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; imposing discipline; addressing complaints, and resolving problems.
Start Date: May or June, 2021.
Requirements
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
Requires Juris Doctor degree.
Licensed to practice law in the State of Minnesota with experience in educational administration and/or school and labor laws, industrial relations, public administration, and business administration and increasingly responsible experience in education administration.
Requires 10 years related experience, preferably in an educational setting, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Skilled in verbal and written communication to a diverse audience.
Skilled in problem analysis, data collection, and problem-solving.
Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from administrators, employees, students, general public, and School Board.
Ability to effectively present information to and respond to questions from administrators, employees, students, general public, and School Board.
Experience preparing and presenting effective written and oral reports, recommendations, district policies and procedures
Experience and ability to work cooperatively across a complex organization and numerous stakeholders
Knowledge of legal principles and practices, including civil, criminal, constitutional, contract, employment, administrative, and business law and procedures
Knowledge of regulatory powers, limitations, authorities, and responsibilities of the board of education
Knowledge of pertinent Federal, State, and local laws, regulations and court decisions relating to education
Experience with and knowledge of school district labor organizations and collective bargaining agreements; principles and practices of negotiations and collective bargaining.
Maintain current knowledge of provisions of applicable Federal, State, and District laws, rules and regulations.
Ability to prepare and present complex data in written and oral reports, and represent the District in a variety of public settings.
Ability to maintain regular attendance, which includes completing an assigned day, and attending evening and weekend obligations.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Education, Employment, and Labor Law background and experience preferred.
Salary/Benefits
Salary: $159,674 and up, DOQ, plus excellent benefits package, including up to 10% annual performance pay.
District Application Guidelines
How to apply:
All Applicants must complete the Anoka-Hennepin Schools online application at www.ahschools.us/employment
Applicants must also attach a letter of application/cover letter and a current resume describing qualifications for this position.
For questions and confidential inquiries about this position, please contact
Sarah Kriewall, Director of Employee Services Department
email: [email protected] - cell: 612-360-3072 - office: 763-506-1101
Please complete your application by clicking the box below:
District ApplicationAPPLICATION PROCESS
- Be sure to review the district’s requirements for the application process and provide all required documents.
- Some districts may require that candidates apply through an external link. If that is the case, the link will be noted in the job posting.
- If the posting does not indicate an external link, apply using your MASA online candidate profile and click on the box below.
- If you have not completed your candidate profile within our site, please do so by clicking here. Many districts search the profiles for promising candidates. To improve your outcome, please complete all requested information.
You will need to have a Jobsite account and be signed in to view your candidate profile.