Deputy General Counsel

Position Type:
Administration Level 2

Date Posted:
6/20/2024

Location:
Lincoln Center/District Wide

Closing Date:
Until Filled

Who We Are:
Waukegan Community Unit School District No.
60 serves over 13,500 students in preschool through grade 12 and is located halfway between Chicago, Illinois and Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the shores of Lake Michigan.
The District has one early learning center, 15 elementary schools, five middle schools and a high school program divided between three grade campuses.
The District encompasses portions of Waukegan, Beach Park and Park City.

Why We Do This Work:
The Waukegan Community Unit School District No.
60 has set an ambitious agenda for change, guided by the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and academic gaps can and will be eliminated with the support of teachers who deliver engaging, relevant and academically rigorous instruction that excites students and instills a love of learning in them.
Our moto is EQUITY + ACCESS = EXCELLENCE.

What We Need:
The Deputy General Counsel provides legal counsel to the School District primarily in the areas of employment and civil rights law.
This position also serves as the District's Title IX/Nondiscrimination Coordinator and manages complaints arising under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title VI & VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Illinois Human Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and other pertinent legislation.
The position includes supervisory responsibilities for Complaint Managers assisting with Title IX/Nondiscrimination investigations and the paralegal assigned to the Office of the General Counsel.
The Deputy General Counsel assists with other legal or administrative projects within the Office of the General Counsel as the need arises such as labor negotiations, business and public finance, student matters, academic matters or Board management.
This individual must have a strong understanding of employment and labor law and principles of complaint investigation, including investigations of discrimination complaints.
In addition, this person must have excellent leadership abilities; proven strong interpersonal, oral and written communication and project management skills and some supervisory experience.
This individual will work under the direction of the General Counsel and will work closely with senior District administrators.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
1.
Provide day-to-day legal advice to District and school administrators in the following areas: federal and state wage laws; employee accommodation or leave requests; Uniform Grievance complaints involving allegations of discrimination, hostile environment or retaliation; job qualification standards; labor relations, including collective bargaining contract interpretation, grievance resolution and negotiations; staff professional licensing requirements, risk management.
2.
Manage and oversee the District's Title IX and nondiscrimination efforts, in accordance with relevant law and Board policies, including:

a.
Supervise Complaint Managers in conducting Title IX and discrimination complaintinvestigations and preparing investigation reports; assist with investigation caseload as needed.
b.
Consult with building and District administrators in the investigation of allegations of sexual harassment or discrimination by students; monitor such claims and provide recommendations for training and program or policy improvements.
c. Coordination and/or provision of training associated with the civil rights obligations.

3.
Advise the Department of Human Resources and Employee Benefits in the development of legally- sound process and procedures for managing the work of the Department.
This includes working closely with the Department's administrative team to assess program compliance and develop and implement the Department's strategic plan, consistent with State and federal laws, the District's strategic plan and Board policies.
4.
Assist the Associate Superintendent of Human Resources and Employee Benefits and other administrators with litigious or difficult cases and staff grievances.
5.
Assist the General Counsel in supporting outside legal counsel assigned to administrative or litigated matters; represent the School District in agency or judicial mediation or alternative dispute resolution meetings, upon request; represent the School District in Department of Labor wage complaints or staff dismissal proceedings as requested.
6.
Assist the General Counsel in the development of, and oversee implementation of, District policy and procedures related to labor, employment and civil rights matters, in accordance with State and federal laws and arising out of identified District needs.
7.
Provide professional development and legal training to administrators and school staff on an ongoing basis.
Assist with Board member trainings on request.
8.
Assist with staff development projects, as needed, and facilitate various staff meetings or other groups as assigned.
9.
Supervise staff within the Office of the General Counsel as requested.
10.
Attend Board meetings, regular staff meetings with the Office of the General Counsel and District Leadership Team (DLT) meetings and meetings with other Departments or Divisions within the District on request.
11.
Perform other duties as assigned by the General Counsel.

Qualifications:
1.
Hold current license to practice law in Illinois and be a member of the Illinois Bar in good standing

a.
Member of the federal bar and federal trial bar a plus but not required.

1.
A minimum of five (5) years of successful experience as an employment or civil rights attorney.

a.
Preference will be given to those who demonstrate evidence of successful leadership, an understanding of, Title IX and civil rights laws, and the Illinois Education Labor Relations Act.
b.
Experience in the education industry and ability to speak Spanish a plus.

2.
Able to mediate and resolve conflicts.
3.
Be able to work successfully in a fast paced, collaborative environment; demonstrated ability to multitask effectively and prioritize strategically.
4.
Willingness to expand legal knowledge in areas of education law outside of labor/employment.
5.
Openness to feedback and willingness to take personal responsibility.
6.
Ability to interact with teachers, parents, outside agencies, community advocates and central services staff.
7.
Commitment to the belief that all children, regardless of circumstances, can achieve at high levels and that adults are lifelong learners.

Note: The above statements are intended to describe the essential functions and related requirements of persons assigned to this job.
They are not intended as an exhaustive list of job duties, responsibilities and requirements.

Work Environment: Busy office environment with multiple priorities and frequent interruptions.
Travel between District sites as needed.
Evening hours required for Board meetings and may be required from time to time to support District initiatives.

Terms of Employment: Twelve month position.

Compensation: Per Negotiated Contract Only online applications will be considered for interviews.
Apply: www.wps60.org
Waukegan Community Unit School District 60 offers employment opportunities without regard to age, gender, race, color, gender identity, national origin,
religion, marital or military/veteran status, sexual orientation, pregnancy, parental status, genetics, disability or other protected category.