Employee Relations and Legal Assistant Specialist

Position Type:
Coordinator, Liaison, Specialist/Specialist

Date Posted:
6/23/2021

Location:
Educational Service Center

Date Available:
ASAP

Hours per Day:
8.0 Hours Per Day

Days of the Week:
Monday,Tuesday,Wednesday,Thursday,Friday

Days per Year:
260.00

SALARY: $80,600.00 (Non Negotiable)

POSITION SUMMARY: Under the direction of General Counsel, the position of Employee Relations and Legal Assistant Specialist performs a variety of legal and administrative support responsibilities. This position leads with an equity-based lens that will transform outcomes for all students by focusing on responsive delivery of personalized service and high leverage professional practices that remove barriers and build up anti-racist strategies for marginalized and underrepresented students that ultimately benefit all students. This position is responsible for supporting General Counsel in their capacity with public records requests and compliance; Harassment, Intimidation and Bullying investigations; and case management and tracking. The individual in this position provides back up in technical as well as routine administrative tasks and conducts investigations under the direction of General Counsel. The individual in this position will be required to exercise independent decision-making abilities and make decisions within parameters established with their supervisor, handle multiple time-sensitive tasks and resolve difficult and/or delicate parent, staff and community issues. Excellent judgment, human relations, multi-tasking and organizational ability are needed to independently prioritize and appropriately respond to time-sensitive, legal, compliance and contractual issues. This position responds daily to a wide variety of emails and calls, many of which require the ability to manage conflict, problem-solve, and exhibit a high degree of confidentiality.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. This list is meant to be representative, not exhaustive. Some incumbents may not perform all the duties listed while in other cases related duties may also be assigned. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Application of Washington law requiring local agencies to make public records available to the public.Draft, prepare and process a variety of forms, memorandums, resolutions, contracts, agreements, pleadings, briefs, letters and other documents; assure proper completion within legally mandated time frames.Monitor timelines for required HIB to ensure investigations will be completed as soon as practicable but generally no later than five (5) school days from the initial complaint or report.Identify critical deadlines and updates general counsel with relevant information related to the status of casesSubmit the appropriate supporting documentation in the timely preparation and filing of documents and for public records requests, hearings and meetings.Prepare and produce general correspondence and other written materials from a rough draft, notes, verbal instructions and or email directions.Prepare correspondence and reports to governmental agencies such as the Human Rights Commission, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Office of Civil Rights, Department of Labor, Office of the Superintendent for Public Instruction, and Employment Security Department.Proofread and edit documents and other written materials to assure accuracy and completeness; correct errors and omissions. Independently composes correspondence for supervisor's signature.Conduct investigations and write investigation reports at the direction of supervisor.Operate a variety of office equipment including dictation, computer, IPad, laptop, telephone, calculator and photocopier equipment.Perform legal research or other research. Check legal citations and references for correct format. Retrieve, store, edit and print documents as needed.Prepare written updates regarding developments in case law, statutory provisions, bargaining issues and other matter as determined by supervisor.Gather and review information and assist in responding to discovery request, public records requests, subpoenas, request for information; gathers records and information and coordinates responses to interrogatories and requests for production. Redact exempt information as needed and draft redaction logs.Prepare materials for meetings or hearings and schedules and attend interviews and takes notes. Schedule pre-deposition/pre-hearing conferences /interviews with witnesses and attendees; prepare files for conferences and hearings. Identify and resolve scheduling conflicts.Draft letters, notifications, agreements, memorandum of understandings, letters of intent, etc., sign correspondence after clearing any technical or policy content with administrator(s). Summarize depositions and other discovery material.Initiate and prepare annual administrative or procedural notices or instructions to staff; prepare the necessary issuance and present them for signature.Develops databases for use in producing required projects, reports, bargaining activities, grievance tracking and summary activity analyses using a variety of software programs.Schedule and coordinate interviews and interview process for investigators.Provide support for meetings and/or attends meetings or other administrative activities for the purposes of taking minutes and/or notes as requested.Research, compile, and format information as assigned, including but not limited to policies and procedures, data in graphs, charts, statistical tables, and/or other presentation mediums. Research may require off-site investigations, archive records retrieval, telephone calls and Internet research.Interact constructively with other Office of the Superintendent administrators and staff.Responsible for record retention, record-keeping system and archiving supervisor's files and public records.

OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Coordinate duties with other departmental office personnel to ensure the department's office area is a warm and welcoming environment.Supports customers when other staff is on leave or in need of assistance.Maintains and updates knowledge and skills required for success in the position by participating in professional development activities as needed or as assigned; stays current in practices and research on matters for assigned responsibilities.Maintain research documents including procedure manuals and other reference documents as necessary.Arranges for interpreters.Performs other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Education and Experience
AA degree
Five (5) years of experience in legal or government public records field

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Work experience with senior management level administration
Excellent word processing, spreadsheet, newsletter, website and database skills
Proficient knowledge and excellent skills regarding grammar, spelling, proofreading and oral and written communication
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher and PowerPoint
Proficient with an e-mail system and willingness and ability to reach a high level of proficiency with the District's current e-mail system

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Bachelor's degree
Experience working in a public agency
Knowledge of Washington State laws and regulations
Previous work experience with a law firm or law office
Knowledge in investigation techniques

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT:
Washington State Driver's License
Criminal background check
Work scheduled hours on a consistent basis and positive evaluations
Willingness to upgrade skills to meet changing job conditions

KNOWLEDGE OF:
Legal terminology; local, state and federal court rules and their application; court procedures
Legal forms and documents and their processing; and sources for checking legal citations.
Secretarial procedures
Mathematical calculations
School board policies and procedures

ABILITY TO:
Demonstrate a high degree of initiative, judgment, discretion and ability to carry out assigned duties
Demonstrate proficiency at multi-tasking and organization skills
Demonstrate aptitude and ability to use legal terminology; local, state and federal court rules and their application; legal forms and documents and their processing; and sources for checking legal citations
Comply with school board policies and follow administrative procedures
Demonstrate customer service and have the ability to effectively interact with administrators, staff and other community members
Demonstrated aptitude and ability to effectively serve as a communication link with various organizations, employees, departments and the public
Structure and formate reports and graphs on a variety of software systems
Work effectively under pressure and meet multiple deadlines\\Establish and maintain positive and effective working relationships with staff, parents, principals, administrators, vendors, outside agencies and the general public
Routinely resolve problems and make decisions based on good judgement
Research and analyze data and make recommendations
Demonstrate basic knowledge of modern technology and willingness and ability to increase knowledge to proficiency
Work independently and collaboratively with others fostering a team approach whenever appropriate.
Maintain a good work attendance record, be punctual, and follow District procedures for reporting all absences.
Demonstrate enthusiasm, flexibility and a commitment to students.
Practice effective safety and security within individual work routines.
Follow written and verbal directions with minimal supervision
Speak, read and follow written communications in English
Exercise judgment as to when to act independently and when to refer to higher authority
Practice ethical and professional standards of conduct including the requirements of confidentiality
Communicate effectively with staff, students, parents/guardians, and the public in a multicultural and multiracial community
Interact positively with students, parents and staff in a professional manner and demonstrate a commitment for students and their success
Continue professional growth
Perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodations

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES RELATED TO CULTURAL COMPETENCE AND EQUITY:
Knowledge/awareness of own cultural identity and how this influences behavior, and desire to learn about the cultural identity of others.
Ability to establish and nurture an environment that promotes cultural competence and equitable treatment of staff, students, and patrons of the District.
Ability to understand and hold self and others accountable for promoting the Federal Way Public Schools' commitment to "Each Scholar: A Voice. A Dream. A Bright Future."
Ability to recognize that each person is a unique individual even as we celebrate their group cultural heritage.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee will constantly sit, stand and walk, bend neck and back, use hands for repetitive grasping and pushing/pulling. The employee is frequently required to squat and use hands for fine manipulation. The employee will occasionally be required to climb stairs/ladder, lift and reach overhead, knee stand, kneel. The employee must constantly lift/carry up to 10 lbs. and must frequently lift/carry up to 25 lbs. The employee will occasionally lift/carry a maximum of 35 lbs. The employee is occasionally required to push/pull a maximum force of 100 lbs.

WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment characteristics 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in indoor conditions and regularly works near video display. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate. Experiences frequent inflexible deadlines and interruptions and often required to shift tasks and priorities to meet immediate needs and to manage competing time demands. Position requires visual and mental concentration on detail, and precision. Extended periods of time reading from a computer monitor, and experiences frequent exposure to angry or frustrated or distraught individuals. May be required to travel out of town or to community sites or within the school district. Nights and weekends may be required occasionally to meet job demands.

WORK SCHEDULE
This is an 8 hour per day, 12 months per year, 260 days position. Schedule varies and some evening work is required.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
This position reports to, and is evaluated by General Counsel

REPRESENTATION
Non-Represented

LEVEL OF COMPENSATION
Executive Administrative Level - Non-Represented Salary Schedule

CLASSIFICATION HISTORY
Updated June 2021

Disclaimer
The preceding list is not exhaustive and may be supplemented as necessary. The statements contained herein reflect general details as necessary to describe the principal functions of this job, the scope of responsibility and the level of knowledge and skills typically required but should not be considered an all-inclusive listing of work requirements, skills or duties so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside their normal responsibilities from time to time as needed.

All employment open positions are made available on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or veteran status.

Job descriptions are written as a representative list of the ADA essential duties performed by the entire classification. They cannot include, and are not intended to include, every possible activity and task performed by every specific employee.