The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Office of Legal Services (OLS) has an opening for a KBE-KDE Education Academic Program Manager (Deputy General Counsel).
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Serve as lead litigation counsel representing the Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) and the Kentucky Board of Education (KBE) in complex education, employment, constitutional, and other litigated matters. Represent the agency and its employees in state and federal courts and in administrative forums. Craft well-researched pleadings on behalf of the agency. Regularly appear and represent the agency at required court proceedings, depositions, mediations, and trials. Maintain a current and accurate litigation log to keep client(s) apprised of case deadlines and developments. Provide timely and understandable client communication regarding the status of pending litigation.
Serve as counsel to the Office of Special Education and Early Learning (OSEEL), which includes the Kentucky School for the Blind and the Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSB/KSD). Provide legal advice directly to staff at KSB/KSD, when needed. Serve as primary counsel handling appeals of Formal Written Complaints issued by the OSEEL Division of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Monitoring and Results. Oversee and facilitate due process hearing and mediation procedures consistent with the federal IDEA, its implementing regulations, state law, and internal procedures. Provide legal advice to OSEEL regarding all laws and regulations impacting students with disabilities, including but not limited to the IDEA. Review and consult on policies and procedures implemented at KSB/KSD.
Serve as counsel to the KDE Division of Resource Management, which includes providing consultation on agency employment actions, agency employment policies, and other employment law issues. Review and provide legal advice concerning employee disciplinary actions. Represent the agency in all employment related litigation, including appeals to the Kentucky Personnel Board, appeals to the Kentucky Technical Education Personnel Board, and any employee matter pending with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or court with jurisdiction.
Serve as a leader in the Office of Legal Services, including covering matters for the General Counsel in his/her absence, reviewing more junior attorney work and providing guidance and advice to improve their work and encourage their development, and identifying team inefficiencies or areas for improvement and leading change management to implement more efficient processes or improved procedures. Provide timely and thorough advice and recommendations to the General Counsel regarding legal strategy to best accomplish the goals of the agency. Appear at KBE meetings to assist subject-area presentations and provide legal advice to the board, as needed. Review and provide legal advice concerning agency administrative regulations and represent the agency in legislative review of same. Oversee and facilitate any appeal to the State Evaluation Appeals Panel and represent the Panel in any necessary public meeting or appeal.
Provide a variety of legal services, under the direction of General Counsel and independently, for the agency which are often characterized by issues which are unique, controversial, or technical in nature and require extensive research and analysis. Perform extensive legal review of forms, contracts, proposed regulations, memorandum of agreements, and memorandum of understanding for the agency. Review records and timely respond to Open Records Requests. Respond to Open Meetings allegations.
Provide consultation by phone and email to external partners, stakeholders, and constituents on interpretation of various state and federal regulations and education laws.
Perform other duties as assigned.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
EDUCATION:
Graduate of an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited college of law with a Juris Doctor degree.
EXPERIENCE, TRAINING, OR SKILLS:
Minimum five years of extensive litigation or other relevant legal experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be admitted to practice law and in good standing in the Commonwealth of Kentucky OR comply with Kentucky Supreme Court Rule (SCR) 2.111 (limited certification of admission to practice), SCR 2.112 (attorney participants in defender or legal services programs), SCR 2.117 (practice pending admission). Must maintain any required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials for the length of employment in this position. Employing agency is responsible for ensuring employee possesses and maintains required licensure(s), certification(s), or other credentials.
Must have or obtain admission to the United States District Court, Eastern and Western Districts of Kentucky, as well as the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit.
SUBSTITUTION:
EDUCATION for EXPERIENCE:
None.
EXPERIENCE for EDUCATION:
None.
In accordance with KRS 161.220 the applicant selected for this position will become a member of the Teachers' Retirement System.
Gross Monthly Salary Range: $8,843.58 - $10,372.10
Applicants and employees in this classification may be required to submit to a drug screening test and background check.
Applicants currently under contract with a local school district are required to provide a written release from their superintendent prior to an offer of employment will be given.
NOTE: This position is eligible for consideration for a hybrid schedule that allows for a combination of in-office and approved alternative work scheduling. The agency may terminate or modify the telecommuting arrangement at any time.
Position Number: 31092346
For further information concerning the application process, go to the following link: Personnel Cabinet
Inquiries for this position should be directed to: Anitra Williams, Division of Resource Management, 300 Sower Blvd., 4th Floor, Frankfort, KY 40601; Phone: 502-564-3716; Email: anitra.williams@education.ky.gov
This position will remain open until filled.
The Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. KDE will only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
For more information on E-Verify, or if you believe that KDE has violated its E-Verify responsibilities, please contact the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) at 999-897-7781 or E-Verify website
An Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer M/F/D