ABOUT THE DISTRICT


Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado's largest K-12 school district, with 85,000 students and approximately 14,000 employees, has provided educational excellence for more than 60 years. Nearly 10 percent of all Colorado K-12 students attend a Jeffco school and our employees benefit from partnerships with experienced, dynamic school leaders throughout our district. Our Jeffco Generations vision document and strategic plan map out with focus and clarity what we expect our schools to accomplish with our graduates. Come join us!

ABOUT THE SCHOOL/DEPARTMENT

No job description available

ABOUT THE JOB

Legal Services and Employee Relations Staff Attorney

HOURS AND DAYS WORKED

Staff Attorney Empl Rel
Annual Position
FLSA: Exempt
FTE: 1.00000, Hours/Day: 8.000, Days/Year: 229
Salary Plan, Grade, Step: JCA - Administrator - 229 days, G08, 1
Min-Mid Annual Salary Range: $78,776.00 - $94,435.00

RESPONSIBILITIES

SUMMARY Manage and direct the administration and interpretation of one or more labor contracts in accordance with state and federal laws, Board policies and negotiated agreements. Provide advice and counsel to administrators, licensed and classified staff regarding labor relations concerns and assist in supervising the daily operations of the Employee Relations Department.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following:

Legal Services

-Provide legal opinions, research services and analysis as directed by the Chief Legal Counsel.

-Assist in drafting and/or providing legal reviews of legal documents including, but not limited to, contracts, charter applications, policies and regulations, resolutions, negotiated agreements and position statements in response to CCRD, EEOC and OCR requests.

-Study and interpret laws, court decisions, ordinances and other legal authorities - anticipate potential litigation and administrative claims, gather necessary information, perform investigations and align resources. Identify legal trends, work with District partners to develop programs to combat those trends.

-In the absence of the Chief Legal Counsel, attend meetings as directed and provide legal support and advice. Provide guidance to District staff as needed consistent with Chief Legal Counsels direction.

Employee Relations

-Receive employees concerns regarding workplace issues; manage the issue through resolution.

-Provide advice and counsel to District administrators and supervisors on the employee discipline and evaluation processes. Advise and counsel District administrators and supervisors on correct contract interpretation and grievance processes as they pertain to administrative and licensed staff.

-Advise and counsel District administrators on the teacher non-renewal and dismissal processes; handle, or support outside counsel in litigation of these matters. Prepare dismissal documentation for review by outside attorney.

-Partner with Human Resources on the administrative leave process.

-Conduct and direct investigations including Title IX matters form start to finish; facilitate case management team meetings.

-Assist with, and represent the District in, unemployment hearings.

-Manage the ADA reasonable accommodation requests from start to finish in accordance with federal law.

Labor Union Relations

-Provide advice and counsel with the Executive Team in establishing negotiations strategy. Research, identify, and provide labor relations recommendations to Executive and Negotiating Teams.

-Represent the District as the lead or as a facilitator in contract negotiations with the labor unions. Analyze and prepare data to support the District?s position in contract negotiations; manage the contract and provide contract interpretation.

-Conduct and facilitate grievance and arbitration hearings. Serve as a liaison between administrators and District legal counsel in personnel issues.

Continuous Quality Process Improvement

-Develop and deliver training materials and training programs on District personnel policies, contract administration, and state and federal directives related to school law and employee relations issues.

-Analyze, manage and supervise legal services and employee relations programs as assigned and make recommendations for improving processes and better efficiencies.

Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

EXPERIENCE 2-5 years experience in Employee Relations and interpreting applicable federal and state laws as well as internal policies, 1 year of experience in Labor Relations, 1 year experience in continuous Quality Process Improvement e.g., LEAN, SIX SIGMA.

EDUCATION AND TRAINING Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Management, Business or related fields. A Juris Doctorate from an accredited law school is required.

CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS A current license to practice law in the State of Colorado and a valid Colorado Driver's License.

SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, & EQUIPMENT Experience in researching and interpreting laws and court opinions, Employee Relations, Quality Process Improvement and Human Resources areas. Excellent communication and writing skills. Ability to problem solve. Working knowledge with information technology (i.e., PeopleSoft and MicroSoft Office).

DECISION MAKING Ability to make decisions regarding possible contract violation, violation of federal or state law/statues, or Board policy. If violations occur must decide appropriate employer response to violation. Requires analysis of laws, contracts, policies, and critical understanding of labor relation decisions via laws, arbitrator decisions changes in laws along with historical precedents in employee relations. Errors in decision making could potentially result in substantial cost and/or embarrassment to the District.

COMMUNITY RELATIONS Daily contact with classified staff within department to obtain/furnish information, resolve routine corrections/adjustments, interpret policy, maintain relationships, recommend policy, negotiate controversial matters, and set critical policy; with professional staff within/outside department to interpret policy, maintain relationships, recommend policy, negotiate controversial matters, and set critical policy; and with advisory committees to interpret policy, recommend policy, negotiate controversial matters, and set critical policy. Weekly contact with classified staff outside department to interpret policy, maintain relationships, recommend policy, negotiate controversial matters, and set critical policy.

SPAN OF CONTROL May directly supervise up to five employees in the Employee Relations Department. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the organization?s policies and applicable laws. Responsibilities include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems. Responsible for budget development and accountability.

EDUCATIONAL DELIVERY Provide support to schools and students by providing direction, advice, influence, and training to District licensed and classified supervisory staff regarding labor relations concerns, problems, contract negotiations, legal compliance, and/or employment law. The majority of time is not spent on the school site.

COMPLEXITY OF WORK Work is self-directed. Requires independent judgment; interpretation of facts; analysis; tact; diplomacy; and comprehensive understanding of District rules, regulations, and contracts to solve complex problems with potential for legal ramifications.

The physical demands, mental functions, and work environment characteristics 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.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

MENTAL FUNCTIONS While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to analyze, communicate, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile, and negotiate. The employee is frequently required to compare, coordinate, and instruct. The employee is occasionally required to copy, compute, and synthesize.

WORK ENVIRONMENT The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

SALARY

Jeffco Salary Schedules

BENEFITS

Jeffco Benefits


EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY

The Jefferson County School District does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, political affiliation, pregnancy, or gender.