Assistant General Counsel (Federal and State Grants Compliance)
OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL
440 N. BROAD STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA 19130

Central Office

Job Number: 4600158773

Start Date:

Open Date: 06/07/2018

Closing Date:

Job Summary
Provides legal advice and representation to the School Reform Commission/Board of Education and the School District of Philadelphia and its employees on a wide array of legal issues. Works under the supervision of the General Counsel and specializes in federal and state grants compliance and grant-funded contract preparation.
Essential Functions

• Provides legal representation to the School District, the Superintendent and the School Reform Commission/Board of Education to ensure that grants and contract processes are in compliance with law and regulations and functions effectively and efficiently in meeting strategic objectives and in the proper and timely execution of grant and contract processes.
• Serves as a subject matter expert for all legal issues related to grant and contract processing in accordance with law and regulations and School District policies and procedures related to grants and contracting functions.
• Analyzes contract requests/needs from clients and translates them into appropriate contracts and procedures to ensure compliance; leads negotiation and execution of contracts, including required specialized supporting legal documents such as confidentiality agreements, data collection instruments and other ancillary contract documents as required.
• Assesses risks of legal, program and budget provisions independently; provides solution and business-focused advice to clients and others on contract and grant-related topics.
• Manages the establishment of master agreements and templates and other innovative solutions.
• Advises clients on matters, including but not limited to: how to ensure costs are an allowable use of funds under the various federal education programs; the types of records that need to be maintained to ensure funds are properly spent; the length of time that records must be retained; negotiation of indirect costs, rates and cost allocation plans; requirements of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA); requirements of the Family
• Educational Rights Privacy Act (FERPA); requirements of the Education Department General Administrative Regulations (EDGAR); requirements of the Uniform Grant Guidance (UGG); requirements of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circulars.

• Develops preventive measures to avoid audit exposure under federal education grant programs, including but not limited to, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA).
• Identifies and solves grants management and/compliance problems before auditors or a government agency identifies them through monitoring; identifies in a timely manner early potential monitoring and audit issues and the development of creative effort saving and cost-effective solutions.
• Reviews, interprets and negotiates contract and grant terms and conditions to determine compliance and conformity and/or conflict with federal regulations and with sponsor and client policies and procedures.
• Assists with internal investigations regarding possible overpayments, billing errors, and documentation of insufficiencies from the School District's use of grant funds.
• Presents recommendations for corrective action resulting from internal investigation findings.
• Ensures the confidentiality of sensitive information, including asserting the attorney-client privilege where applicable.
• Represents clients at entrance conferences, site visits and exit conferences with auditors and agency reviewers, including representation before administrative agencies; analyzes and responds to findings in draft and final audit reports; develops and ensures the implementation of corrective action plans.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's of Law degree from an accredited school of law.
• Five years of full-time, paid, professional legal experience in a law firm, public sector law department or corporate law department.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
All Specialties
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the common laws and the state and federal laws particularly as they relate to administrative, fiscal and regulatory functions of the School District.
• judicial proceedings and of the rules of evidence as related to the area of specialization.
• the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
• the principles and practices of governmental laws.
• the uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to :

• analyze, organize and evaluate the evidence and procedures involving difficult and complex matters and to present such material in clear and logical form for all written presentations such as memos, briefs, opinions, orders or decisions.
• analyze legal documents and instruments.
• draft legal instruments and propose legislation.
• negotiate terms and conditions successfully.
• manage a detail-oriented workload.
• organize and prioritize workload during high pressure, high-volume workload periods.
• collaborate with colleagues and District clients.
• exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact required.
• handle matters outside areas of familiarity.
• manage stress.
• handle multiple concurrent tasks.
• review and process information within a computerized web system throughout the majority of the workday.
• travel as required.
• express ideas effectively, both orally and in writing.
• establish and maintain effective working relationships.

Disclaimer
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified.
Certificates/Licenses
All Specialties

• Certificate of admission to the Bar of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania and membership in good standing and for litigator's admission to practice in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

OR

• Eligible for admission to the Pennsylvania Bar within six months of employment and are active members in good standing and currently licensed to practice law in another state and in compliance with the most recently completed twelve-month Continuing Legal Education compliance period.

Additional Job Information: This is a non-represented position. The salary grade for this role is 4030.

Interviews may be conducted to determine how well a candidate meets the established criteria. Note that not all qualified candidates may be selected for an interview. Additional factors including the ability to follow directions, punctuality and professional conduct will be considered in part of the evaluation process. The selected candidate must have no anecdotal record on file and have not been subject to any disciplinary action within the past eighteen (18) months, and have an excellent record of attendance and punctuality during the last three (3) years (defined as no more than eighteen (18) occasions of lateness or absence for personal illness in the last three years (3) years with the exception of one extended long-term absence.