Description
Job Overview
The Assistant Legal will perform duties related to legal issues or proceedings under the direct supervision of the General Counsel. This position will provide assistance and support to the General Counsel including assistance in compiling documentation from campuses and preparing of complaints, hearings and litigation (investigation and discovery); drafting correspondence; and assistance with legal research to support the Legal Department's work. This position is allocated to this classification based upon the requirement to provide the type of administrative support that requires knowledge of legal procedures and practices. The incumbent is expected to possess considerable expertise in legal terminology, administrative law procedures, knowledge of Texas statutes of limitation, Public Information Act, Local Government Records Act and to exercise discretion in the performance of all duties, as the consequences of error are costly.
Position Description
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Contract Review and Approval
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Assist the District in consultation of HR policy review and maintain changes with TASB to update the On-line policy, maintain the District’s paper Policy Manual and the history of district policy, review SOP's as needed and advise about needed updates
- Work with outside legal firms in the preparation of necessary documents related to contracts and employee and student matters. Communicate with employees and attorneys, as necessary
- Assist in the review of District Contracts, MOU’s and Interlocal Agreements and assist in resolving legal issues
- Assist in compiling a quarterly report on MOU's per Policy GNC (local)
- Collaborate with other departments regarding contracts
Litigation/Administration Hearings-
Monitor general legal and litigation activities related to complaints and grievances [Local, TEA, and OCR], lawsuits, contracts, public information requests, subpoenas, elections, special education, 504 and records management to ensure that all appropriate documents and responses are filed in a timely manner
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Provide support to General Counsel with in-house, TEA, and OCR investigations; data collection; document preparation; drafting of responses; and preparation of witnesses. Gather and maintain relevant documents and information used in reports of alleged complaints
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Work with outside legal firms in the preparation of necessary documents related to contracts and employee and student matters. Communicate with employees and attorneys, as necessary
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Assist in processing Lighthouse Reports, ensuring an investigative response is received in a timely manner
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Receive service of Subpoenas for the District for employee records and other types of records including criminal and family law matters involving student records, verify subpoena is valid, assist with coordinating and overseeing timely compliance, review responsive documents and redact as necessary, provide support to campuses and prepare business affidavits
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Review Court Orders regarding Expunctions and Sealing of Files/Records, gather responsive documents and respond to the Court
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Assist the Legal Department in preparing the official Board record for employee grievance hearings and student complaint hearings; schedule the hearings with all parties, prepare notice letters and prepare board agendas for hearing
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Provide assistance to administration on policy and procedures, review of interpretation of basic legal concepts and FBISD policies and procedures, as directed by the General Counsel
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Analyze and prepare summaries of various legal documents. Identify issues and concerns for further review and analysis by General Counsel
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Provide assistance to administrators and campus personnel relating to Employee, Student and Special Education Issues
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Assist with the gathering of information, documents, reports and physical evidence from various departments and campuses as necessary to respond to litigation discovery, complaints, in-house investigations and grievance hearings
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Provide guidance to campus personnel regarding student issues including but not limited to custody matters by researching, reviewing and interpreting court documents as necessary
Public Information-
Assist with coordinating Public Information Requests by reviewing and redacting responsive documents from campuses and administration, based upon a strict timeline
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Assist with the preparation of requests for Attorney General Opinions in reference to Public Information Requests
Records Management-
Establish and maintain a fully-indexed and cross-referenced bank of letters, documents and articles previously produced by the General Counsel for future matters
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Assist with the District’s Records Management program under the supervision of the General Counsel by facilitating three District-wide records destructions yearly, manage the District’s records for both destruction and retention, and provide training and assistance to campuses and departments
Elections-
Assist with coordinating the Board of Trustees elections, by preparing the election order, maintaining the election calendar and organizing candidate packets in accordance with applicable laws and policies
Qualifications
Qualification Requirements
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each of the above essential duties satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or abilities, required unless otherwise stated as preferred. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essentials functions.-
Associate's Degree from an accredited program
- Bachelor's Degree preferred
- Five years' of direct legal experience will be considered in lieu of Associate's degree requirement
- Minimum of 1 year experience in civil law in support of litigation, document preparation, or court procedures
- Minimum of 1 year as a paralegal
- Experience in public school law preferred
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Ability to organize and prioritize workload
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Ability to multi-task and perform on deadline
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Excellent computer application skills (Microsoft Word/Excel/PowerPoint) and legal research skills (LexisNexis)
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Professional demeanor, effective communication skills, personal integrity, self-starter, team player and the ability to work with complex issues in a confidential and fast paced work environment
Physical Requirements/Working Conditions
The work environment characteristics and physical demands described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Work is performed in classrooms, offices, work stations and meeting rooms.
The position requires occasional walking, standing, sitting, bending, stooping, kneeling, crouching, crawling, and lifting/carrying work related items weighing less than 40 pounds, such as books, papers and presentation materials. The employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, and the ability to adjust focus. Attendance at conferences and professional development is required. Work involves everyday risks and discomforts which require normal safety precautions when operating equipment or performing job duties. May work prolonged or irregular hours and must be able to maintain emotional control under stress.
Primary Location: TEXAS-SUGAR LAND
Work Locations: ADMINISTRATION BUILDING 16431 LEXINGTON BLVD. SUGAR LAND 77479
Job: Staff
Organization: DEPARTMENT
Position Calendar: 238JUL
School Year:2024-2025
Salary Grade: 202
Unposting Date: Jul 22, 2024, 11:59:00 PM