BALTIMORE COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

JOB TITLE: Staff Attorney, Special Education

REPORTS TO: Deputy General Counsel

DEFINITION: Under general supervision, the staff attorney represents Baltimore County Public Schools in matters regarding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, mediations, resolution conferences, and due process appeals. Staff attorney provides a variety of professional legal services as directed by the Deputy General Counsel and General Counsel.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES:

• Represents Baltimore County Public Schools in special education mediations and due process hearings. Prepares school staff to participate in mediations and hearings.
• Evaluates cases and negotiates settlement agreements, requests for attorneys' fees, expert fees, and reimbursements for independent evaluations. Attends IEP team meetings to support the team in decision-making.
• Reviews statutory amendments and regulations, judicial decisions, and federal agency decisions. Keeps current with pertinent legislation, regulations, and case law involving students with disabilities. Provides clarification and procedural updates for special education staff and school administrators.
• Coordinates and conducts in-service training related to procedural safeguards and team processes. Serves as a consultant to schools to ensure compliance with laws and regulations regarding students with disabilities and their parents. Assists teachers and administrators in responding to student and parental concerns.
• Responds to complaints regarding special education and student related Section 504 issues. Conducts legal research on issues raised in complaints, formulates legal opinions and provides advice.
• Represents the Superintendent in administrative hearings, as needed.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education, Training and Experience :

• Possession of a juris doctorate degree from an accredited school of law.
• Two years professional experience in the practice of law which includes experience with legal issues involving students with disabilities.
• Demonstrated experience with litigation, negotiation, mediation, and administrative hearings.
• Experience with general education law preferred.

Note: Other combinations of applicable education, training, and experience that provide the knowledge and skills necessary to perform effectively in the position may be considered.

License and Certifications:

• Member of the Maryland State Bar required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities :

• Skill and ability to use a personal computer, including spreadsheet, database and word processing programs (Microsoft Office preferred).
• Knowledge of legal research (Westlaw or Lexis-Nexis), legal terminology, Maryland administrative law and appeal process, and statutes and regulations.
• Knowledge of legal principles and practices.
• Knowledge of education law (IDEA and Section 504 f the Rehabilitation Act of 1973).
• Knowledge of litigation involving administrative agencies and courts.
• Knowledge of legal research.
• Skill in the practice of law.
• Skill in conducting litigation before administrative agencies and courts.
• Skill in conducting legal research.
• Ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally.
• Skill in developing relationships with school administrators, central office personnel, and teachers.
• Ability to prepare and deliver professional development regarding special education law.

PHYSICAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS :

The work of this class is generally sedentary and performed in an office environment. Duties require travel to schools and facilities throughout Baltimore County. Limited out-of-county and out-of-state travel.

FLSA STATUS: Exempt

Position is eligible for membership in the Baltimore County Employees' Retirement System.

This document describes the duties and responsibilities of a position. It shall not be held to exclude duties not referenced nor limit the right of management to assign work to employees.

Citizenship, residency or work VISA in United States required

Application Instructions
Please read and carefully follow the instructions provided below.

• Applicants are required to have a completed application on file for employment with Baltimore County Public Schools (BCPS). Each time an applicant applies to a job with BCPS, the application must be resubmitted. If an applicant started an application with BCPS in the past and at a later date decides to apply for additional positions, it is the applicant's responsibility to review the entire application and ensure that all data is up to date (for example, the applicant may need to add additional schooling or certifications, an additional work experience, or provide updated references). The applicant must remember to review the entire application each time for accuracy and submit each time for a new or different vacancy.
• Professional references must be submitted to complete your application. Examples of professional references include current and former principals, supervisors, managers, mentor teachers and university/college supervisors. Personal references from colleagues, friends, community members, etc. will not be accepted. Applicants should notify their reference proactively to inform them they will receive a form via email through a MAILBOT email address from Baltimore County Public Schools. Applicants should also inform their reference(s) of the job they are applying to.
• Be sure to account for all periods of employment and unemployment, including student teaching and internship experience, and include names, addresses, and telephone numbers of employers.
• Be sure to answer all criminal background questions. If you answer "yes" to any of the criminal background questions you must provide a written explanation. A criminal offense does not necessarily exclude an applicant from employment with BCPS. Factors such as passage of time since the offense, the nature of the violation, and the extent of rehabilitation will be taken into consideration.

Pre-Employment Requirements:

• All persons employed by the Baltimore County Public Schools, regular and temporary, are required to be fingerprinted and have a criminal background investigation (State of Maryland, Senate Bill 315, effective October 1, 1986) completed. The fee charged for fingerprinting is $81.00. An identification card will be issued which must be shown prior to employment.
• Anyone offered employment is required to provide proper identification and documentation of eligibility for employment in the US.
• If you have military experience you will be asked to provide a copy of DD214.
• Official transcripts for all higher education must be received prior to contract signing.
• Some positions will require employees to undergo a physical examination and/or drug testing.
• All newly hired personnel must attend a Badges and Benefits session.
• Additional job verification will be required for salary credit.

Non-Discrimination Statement

The Board of Education of Baltimore County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, disability, or veteran status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to educational programs or activities and provides equal access to the Boy Scouts and other designated youth groups. Inquiries regarding the Board's nondiscrimination policies should be directed to: EEO Officer, Office of Equal Employment Opportunity, Baltimore County Public Schools, 6901 Charles Street, Building B, Towson, Maryland 21204 (443-809-8937). There is a compliance officer responsible for identifying, preventing, and remedying prohibited harassment concerning students. Complaints of harassment should be directed to the executive director, Department of School Safety and Security, 9610 Pulaski Park Drive, Suite 219, Baltimore, Maryland 21220 (443-809-4360).

Contact Information

Michael Hodge
Supervisor, HR Staffing
6901 Charles Street, E Building
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 443-809-7872
Fax: 410-887-7876
Email: mhodge@bcps.org