Director: Employee and Labor Relations
OFFICE OF TALENT

Central Office

Job Number: 4600160662

Start Date:

Open Date: 07/03/2018

Closing Date:

*REVISED TITLE AND DESCRIPTION 8/13/18*
Job Summary
Ensures that the School District of Philadelphia's officers and employees comply with local, state and federal laws, regulations, contracts, policies and procedures. Oversees investigations related to equal employment opportunities, discrimination on the basis of classifications protected by law, unlawful harassment claims, and general workplace misconduct. Provides training and support to District staff on staff responsibilities to prevent discrimination and harassment in the School District.
Essential Functions

• Serves as the District's Civil Rights Compliance Officer for all employment-related matters, including, but not limited to, conducting and/or overseeing investigations of claims and complaints by or against the District, its employees, and its contractors.
• In collaboration with the Office of General Counsel, oversees the development, maintenance and appropriate distribution of all policies and related administrative procedures pertaining to employees to ensure compliance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
• Oversees the development, maintenance, and appropriate distribution of a comprehensive Employee Handbook on various District-wide policies and administrative procedures.
• In collaboration with appropriate administrative personnel, reviews, investigates and processes complaints of inappropriate interactions between staff and students, including, but not limited to, making recommendations as to appropriate action to be taken.
• In collaboration with other appropriate departments, ensures staff receives annual employment-related notifications.
• Coordinates and oversees required employee trainings on topics such as workplace harassment and workplace bullying.
• Works in conjunction with Talent Partners and Labor Relations Officers in providing counsel and guidance related to potential investigations and employee/labor relations issues.
• In collaboration with the Office of General Counsel, renders decisions regarding employment eligibility of candidates based on the review of required clearances.
• Serves as liaison to the Office of General Counsel in preparing for grievance arbitrations and other litigation resulting from employment-related decisions, such as, discrimination, unlawful harassment, failure to hire, violations of various civil rights laws, et cetera.
• Performs other duties as requested or assigned.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in legal studies or in a related field.
• Seven years of full-time, paid, professional experience practicing law or working in a non-legal position which has involved addressing various legal compliance issues impacting K-12 public school entities or similar large and complex organizations.

OR

• Master's degree from an accredited college or university in legal studies or in a related field.
• Five years of full-time, paid, professional experience practicing law or working in a non-legal position which has involved addressing various legal compliance issues impacting K-12 public school entities or similar large and complex organizations.

Additional Qualifications

• Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from an accredited law school.
• All work experience related to the position must be included on the resume.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
All Specialties
Demonstrated knowledge of:

• the federal, state and local laws related to equal employment opportunity, discrimination on the basis of protected classifications, and unlawful harassment.
• collective bargaining agreements and employment contracts.
• the principles and practices guiding investigations of alleged discrimination or harassment.
• the principles, practices, methods and techniques of legal research.
• the principles, practices, methods and techniques of employment investigations.
• group dynamics, consensus building, and problem solving and conflict resolution.
• the uses and capabilities of personal computers and their software applications including word processing, database management and spreadsheets.

Demonstrated ability to :

• interpret laws, regulations, collective bargaining agreements, employment contracts, policies and administrative procedures.
• analyze legal documents and instruments.
• conduct investigations into matters related to lack of compliance and allegations pertaining to conduct, behavior, harassment and potential equal employment opportunity violations.
• assist with ensuring that the School District is in compliance with all applicable federal, state and local laws.
• interview complainants, witnesses and review documents and other relevant materials.
• organize and maintain records of all complaints filed regarding civil rights, discrimination and harassment.
• analyze and resolve complex problems.
• plan, organize, and manage projects, including complex investigations.
• exercise sound judgment, discretion and tact.
• communicate ideas effectively, both orally and in writing to a wide variety of audiences.
• 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

• 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.

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.