General Counsel

General Counsel

STARTING DATE: July 1, 2027 
CONTRACT YEAR: 242 contract days, 24 vacation days
SALARY: $130,796-$215,022 (Salary will depend on experience)
CONTACT: Cami Harper ([email protected])

DESCRIPTION: 
The District's General Counsel serves as the chief legal officer on matters related to District operations. This position reports to the Chief Talent Officer and participates in the definition and development of Board policies, administrative procedures, and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on District legal matters. In addition, the General Counsel will provide support to Student Services, Human Resources, Title VI/IX Department, Special Education, and Risk Management. General counsel serves as a liaison with outside counsel and with State Risk. 

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Hold a law degree from an accredited school of law and be an active member of the Utah State Bar.
• A minimum of 5 years of previous job-related work experience with demonstrated competence is preferred.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS 

• Serves as the District's designated EEO coordinator responsible for District compliance with Title IX, ADA, Section 504, Title VI, Title VII, and other federal and state civil rights laws.
• Assists with investigations and resolves allegations of educational or employment harassment and discrimination on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, religion, pregnancy, national origin, veteran's status, sexual orientation, or disability.
• Advises the Directors of Human Resources and Operations regarding reasonable accommodations necessary to provide equal access to educational programs, services, and facilities to employees and patrons with disabilities.
• Supports Human Resources with employee investigations and grievances and oversees hearings and mediations as needed.
• Develops training for employees to assist with federal and state civil rights compliance.
• Monitors and provides guidance to ensure the District conducts operations in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Judges the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the District, works with the District Leadership and board to define a strategic defense, and recommends settlements of disputes where warranted as appropriate.
• Assists in complex business transactions, records requests, and negotiating critical contracts.
• Structures and manages the District's internal legal function and staff of the Legal Services Department.
• Provides sound legal advice to the Superintendent of Schools and other employees of the District as directed by the Superintendent.
• Coordinates discovery requests made to the District.
• Reviews and drafts legal documents necessary for the District's operation.
• Attends Board meetings and provides legal counsel to Board members as required.
• Attends meetings with governmental agencies, parent groups and committees as requested by the Superintendent and/or Board.
• Protects confidentiality of records and information in possession of counsel about students and staff and uses discretion when sharing any such information within legal confines, which is limited to records or information under counsel's control.
• Predictable and reliable attendance.
• Utilizes outside legal counsel as directed by the Superintendent and/or Board.
• Performs other duties as directed by the Board and/or Superintendent.

NON-ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Other duties as assigned
• This description should not be construed to contain every function/responsibility that may be required to be performed by an employee assigned to this position.
• To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.
• The requirements listed below are representative of the education, knowledge and experience requirements; the machines, tools and equipment used; background; and any licenses or certifications required.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• Be fingerprinted and clear a criminal background check.
• Hold a law degree from an accredited law school and be an active member of the Utah State Bar.
• Minimum of 5 years of previous job-related work experience with demonstrated competence preferred.
• Substantial knowledge of and experience working with federal and state civil rights laws, including Title VII, Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act.
• Substantial knowledge of and experience working with federal and state constitutional provisions delineating individual rights of students and employees, including the First, Fourth, and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.
• Requires experience with and commitment to ensuring equal opportunities for ethnic, racial, and religious minorities.
• Experience conducting highly sensitive and complex investigations is preferred.
• Experience interacting with law enforcement personnel is preferred.
• Experience organizing and conducting neutral hearings for students or employees is highly desirable.
• Experience working with employment law with strong knowledge of laws and case law that impacts the workplace.
• Experience managing other attorneys and supervising support staff is required, as well as experience with cost-effective management of outside legal resources.
• Requires outstanding interpersonal skills and the ability to work well with various stakeholders and patrons, work in a team environment, and provide high levels of customer service.
• Interacts effectively with principals and teachers, parents, law enforcement officers, lawyers, senior District office staff, and the general public.
• Is flexible and able to work in a fast-paced environment, and skilled at directing tasks and assignments with well-educated, opinionated, and outgoing personalities.
• Must possess a high degree of patience, dignity, and sensitivity. Attention to detail is imperative.
• Must have advanced written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience working with racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, as well as people with disabilities, is highly desirable.
• Ability to supervise and lead employees effectively
• Accuracy and confidentiality are critically important.
• Must have outstanding organization and initiative and a professional, courteous demeanor suitable for executive-level work.

NOTE: The Administration reserves the right to require specific training for this position. However, depending upon the type and quality of prior work experience and availability of formal training programs, some exchanges can be made between training and experience.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS---Not limited to the following:

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to speak and/or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, or crouch. The employee is occasionally required to use hands to handle or feel and must occasionally climb or balance.
• The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, and depth perception.
• Physical ability to perform the essential functions listed above with or without reasonable accommodation.
• Possess the physical, mental, and emotional stability to work under stressful conditions, including but not limited to: deadlines, contract requirements, inspection requirements, and interaction with critical personnel. 

Note: This list of essential and marginal functions and of physical requirements is not exhaustive and may be supplemented in accordance with the requirements of the job.


All employees are required to participate in the District evaluation process. It is the employee's responsibility to review and adhere to all district policies and procedures.