Associate Counsel

Job Summary Under direct supervision when required and otherwise under general direction of the General Counsel or designee, provide legal advice and representation to clients of Schools Legal Service. Incumbents in this job classification work on more general or routine legal matters under the general supervision and guidance of the General Counsel or other more senior attorneys. This classification is distinguished from the Senior Associate Counsel classification by the lesser complexity and sensitivity of most projects assigned and the increased degree of supervision. Requirements / Qualifications PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS The successful candidate must be an active member of the California State Bar and a graduate of an accredited law school. Administrative law or education law coursework or experience is helpful but not required. PREPARATION AND EXPERIENCE Six (6) months of prior experience as an attorney representing clients in public or private practice. Experience as a paralegal or law clerk may be substituted for time in practice as an attorney. The candidate should have excellent oral and written communication and advocacy skills and be able to work under pressure and prioritize time deadlines. The position requires travel to the various member school districts in Kern, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, and northern Los Angeles counties. Required documents: Certification (Proof of active membership in State Bar of CA) Copy of Transcript (Copy of College Transcripts) OR Other (Copy of college diploma) Letter(s) of Reference (Attach 2 Letters of Professional Reference) Other (Writing Sample) Resume (Resume) Position Overview Schools Legal Service seeks an Associate Counsel to practice law in a dynamic public sector environment. We support wonderful clients doing great work for children in each of our three practice groups, Labor & Employment, Business & Construction, and Students & Special Education. Top candidates will be placed on an eligibility list to be considered for this and future positions. Labor & Employment assignment will involve advising and representing school and community college districts in a wide variety of employment matters, including employee performance and discipline, workplace investigations, employee leaves, and development / presentation of training for various employers. Work in the area of collective bargaining may also be assigned, as well as work in other practice areas. Business & Construction assignment will involve counseling school and community college districts in a wide range of matters, including school construction-related contracts and disputes, “developer fee” issues, real estate and school site acquisition matters, general transactional matters, charter school issues, public records requests, and school district reorganization issues. Real estate or construction law experience is helpful. Work in other practice areas may also be assigned. Student & Special Education assignment will involve advising education entities in student discipline and related matters, and counseling districts in the complexities of federal and state law concerning students with disabilities. The successful candidate will represent school districts in all phases of student and special education matters, including Individualized Education Program meetings, mediation of contested issues, Due Process Hearings conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings, state and federal complaints before the California Department of Education, writs and appeals in state and federal courts, and student discipline hearings. Work in other practice areas may also be assigned. Important Comments All candidates will be notified by email throughout the hiring process. Each candidate’s application papers and answers to the essay questions contained within the application will be thoroughly evaluated and ranked by a screening committee appointed by the Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Candidates achieving a rating of 70% or better will qualify to continue in the eligibility screening process. Conditions of Employment Must be eligible for malpractice insurance coverage. Some positions may require proof of privately owned automobile insurance and the possession of a valid California Motor Vehicle operator’s license. Fingerprint clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the California Department of Justice is a condition of appointment after all other required job conditions have been met. Must present verification of completion of Child Abuse Mandated Reporter training or obtain verification within six (6) weeks of hire and annually thereafter, as required by the California Child Abuse Neglect Reporting Act. This position is overtime exempt and has a probationary period of one year. The Kern County Superintendent of Schools Office prohibits discrimination, harassment, intimidation, and bullying based on actual or perceived ancestry, age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital or parental status or association with a person or a group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. CalPERS Links CalPERS Links #J-18808-Ljbffr