Deputy General Counsel, Legal

Description
SUMMARY
Under general direction from the General Counsel, provides support for the legal department, guidance and support to CSBA's members and leadership, corporate support for other departments within CSBA, works with and supervises the Human Resources division, and coordinates assigned activities with other Association divisions, departments, and outside agencies. The legal department provides support to CSBA's members and leadership teams and also provides corporate legal support for other departments within CSBA and members of the CSBA Education Legal Alliance Steering Committee by initiating and supporting litigation cases and issues of statewide significance to California school districts, county offices of education, and ROC/Ps, consistent with CSBA's mission, priorities and strategic direction.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists with providing legal advice and counsel on Association business and contractual matters.
• Assists with preparation of legal documents and reviews and revises contracts.
• Assists with providing litigation support and management, as well as compliance with corporate formalities and Association obligations.
• Assists with providing counsel and support on compliance matters to ensure statutes, rules, and regulatory requirements impacting CSBA are followed.
• Supervises the Human Resources division, including directly supervising the Director, Human Resources.
• Represents CSBA in the absence of the General Counsel.
• Interprets the impact of court decisions, legislation and proposed legislation, and regulations on CSBA members and provides guidance and written materials on potential impacts and implementation.
• Assists with providing legal support to all CSBA departments and related entities, including reviewing proposed sample board policies and administrative regulations developed by the Policy Services Department.
• Assists General Counsel in advising CSBA management and leadership on non-profit corporation issues.
• Provides support and direction for Education Legal Alliance activities, including committee support.
• Assists the General Counsel with other Legal Department committee work.
• Remains current on developing issues and changes in rules or law to inform and help CSBA members on potential impacts and implementation.
• Conducts legal research, prepares documents, and advises the General Counsel, CSBA staff, and leadership.
• Develops materials for publications and presentations regarding legal issues to CSBA members and others.
• Responds to requests for information and questions on legal issues from CSBA board members and others.
• Reads and demonstrates an understanding and adherence to CSBA values, policies, and practices.
• Demonstrates respect, honesty, and professionalism at all times.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• This position provides for a wide variety of independent decision-making, within legal and general policy and regulatory guidelines. Exercises general direction and supervision over management, supervisory, professional, technical, and administrative support staff through subordinate levels of supervision. This position will carry out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization's policies and all applicable laws. Overall supervisorial responsibilities of this position include, but may not be limited to, interviewing, training, timekeeping and wage & hour management, planning, assigning, directing work, appraising performance, rewarding and disciplining employees, and addressing and resolving complaints.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Juris Doctorate degree; qualified to practice law in California. Admission to California's Federal District Courts preferred.
• Seven (7) to Ten (10) years of legal experience, including experience working in education law and labor and employment law, or a combination of practicing education law that includes direct experience in the area(s) of labor and employment.
• Practicing law for seven (7) to ten (10) years or more and experience as Deputy General/In-House Counsel is preferred.
• A combination of practicing law and experience in the area(s) of education and non-profit law and litigation for corporations, plus seven (7) years of supervisory and/or administrative experience is preferred.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements
QUALIFICATIONS
Knowledge of:

• Principles, practices, and trends in public, elementary, and secondary education.
• California Education law, labor, and employment law within the public and private sector.
• Non-profit, corporation, and California pension law is preferred.
• Sources of information related to a broad range of education policy and programs.
• Contracts and contract negotiation.
• Legal principles and procedures, including civil and administrative laws and procedures.
• Federal, State, and local trial and appeal procedures and methods of case preparation and presentation.
• Human resources principles, practices, and strategic planning.
• Techniques for effectively representing the Association in contacts with governmental agencies, community groups, and various business, professional, educational, regulatory, and legislative organizations; techniques for providing a high level of customer service by effectively dealing with the public, vendors, contractors, and Association staff. This includes internal communication with Senior Staff and with members of CSBA's governing bodies, the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and the Delegate Assembly, as well as with members on many CSBA committees staffed by the Legal Department.
• Principles and practices of budget development and administration; employee supervision, either directly or through subordinate levels of supervision, including work planning, assignment, review and evaluation, and the training of staff in work procedures; contract management; and researching issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting effective staff reports; and general principles of risk management related to the functions of assigned areas.
• Organization and management practices as applied to the development, analysis, and evaluation of programs, policies, and operational needs of assigned functional areas.

Ability to:

• Recommend and implement goals, objectives, and practices for providing effective and efficient services.
• Plan, organize, administer, coordinate, review, evaluate and personally participate in a comprehensive media relations and public information program.
• Respond to inquiries and complaints from the media, members, or regulatory agencies.
• Effectively convey information to all levels of management, leadership, and public audiences.
• Work effectively with a diverse group of internal and external customers.
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Interpret, apply, explain, and ensure compliance with Federal, State, and local policies, procedures, laws, regulations.
• Prepare clear and concise reports, correspondence, policies, procedures, and other written materials.
• Analyze, interpret, summarize, and present technical information and data in an effective manner.
• Conduct complex research projects, evaluate alternatives, make sound recommendations, and prepare effective staff reports.
• Effectively represent the division and the Association in meeting with governmental agencies, community groups, and various businesses, professional, and regulatory organizations, and in meetings with individuals.
• Organize and prioritize a variety of projects and multiple tasks in an effective and timely manner; organize own work, set priorities, and meet critical time deadlines.
• Operate modern office equipment including computer equipment and specialized software applications programs.
• Use English effectively to communicate in person, over the telephone, and in writing.
• Use tact, initiative, prudence, and independent judgment within general policy, procedural and legal guidelines.
• Establish, maintain, and foster positive and effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of performing duties and responsibilities.
• Overnight travel for CSBA business.

ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Employee works in a primarily sedentary office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
• Employee is personally responsible for following health and safety guidelines, instructions, and policies.
• Must possess mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; vision to read printed materials and computer screen, and hearing and speech to communicate in person, and over the telephone; must be able to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push and pull drawers open and closed in the execution of duties.
• Must be able to sit at computer for long periods of time and have the dexterity to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard office equipment.
• Employee must possess the ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects weighing up to 25 pounds, hand truck available to assist.
• Must have the dexterity and mobility to facilitate or present information to a group, access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator, and operate standard facilitation equipment.
• Must be able to work in a hybrid environment.
• Work occasional evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays for activities that are required to be done after-hours.
• Employee will be required to travel.
• Occasional overnight travel.
• Limited vacation during peak periods.

LICENSES & CERTIFICATIONS

• Possession of, or ability to, obtain a valid California Driver's license by time of appointment.
• Active member in good standing with the State Bar of California.