Assistant, Legal Operations

District of Columbia Public Schools; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 42,000 - 62,000; Full time

Job summary

The Office of General Counsel (OGC) at District of Columbia Public Schools seeks an Assistant, Legal Operations to support the Legal Operations team with administrative, program, and clerical tasks.

You will assist with daily operations, manage document workflows, coordinate meetings, and help ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and 1–2 years of legal work experience.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.

Responsibilities

• Receives telephone calls, visitors, and guests to the office; responds to and assists in resolving a variety of inquiries.
• Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to obtain information and collaborate on projects.
• Schedules and coordinates meetings, conferences, and appointments, as well as program/project-related logistics.
• Researches specific issues or inquiries regarding program- or project-related topics and reports back findings.
• Handles and follows up on inquiries and correspondence regarding outstanding actions, procedures, and policies.

Skills

Communication

Office administration

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office 365

Job description

TheOfficeofGeneral Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing expert advice of counsel and legal representation to DCPS' Chancellor, CentralOffice, principals, and other school-based staff to help ensure that all DCPS students, regardless of background or circumstance, receive a world-class education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Major practice areas in OGCinclude:General Practice, which includes FOIA, FERPA, policy andethics, Laborand Employment, and Special Education due process litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Additionally, theofficeincludes the Labor Management and Employee Relations (LMER) team and the Compliance division.

The Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER)work group is responsible for supporting DCPS on a wide range of employee relations matters, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with EEO laws;facilitating the proper implementation of progressive discipline; assisting employees with workplace problems; collaborating with unions to resolve issues and address concerns; working with managers to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies; scheduling meditations and hearings to address grievances; investigating allegations of misconduct by employees, contractors, and volunteers; and conducting background investigations to determine suitability for DCPS employment and service providers.

The Compliance divisionis made up of the Internal Audit, Special Education Compliance, Risk Management, and Comprehensive Alternative Resolution and Equity (CARE) teams. The Compliance division works closely with various federal and District agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Education,Officeofthe Inspector General,Officeofthe District of Columbia Auditor,Officeofthe State Superintendent of Education,OfficeofHuman Rights,Officeofthe Chief FinancialOfficer, and Metropolitan Police Department on an as needed basis. The division receives concerns and complaints from students, parents, and third parties and provides effective andequitableresolution to issues raised, conducts internal audits of DCPS programs, and oversees the management of all audits of DCPS conducted by external entities. The division is also responsible foridentifyingandmitigating risks and workingand collaborating to ensure safety. The Compliance team’s mission is to work with all Schools and Central Services departments to ensure that operations and programming are compliant with applicable DCPS, District, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.

The Legal Operations team is responsible for managing the priorities and operations within OGC and oversees the development, finalization, and execution of OGC’s departmental operating plan and budget. The team also manages r esource allocation, change management, and decision-making for the office in addition to providing administrative and technical legal support.

The Assistant, Legal Operations will be responsible for performing administrative, program, and technical work to support the Legal Operations team. In addition to assisting with daily legal operations, the Assistant, Legal Operations will complete a variety of clerical work in support of various operations-related projects.

This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Traffic record check (as applicable).

The Assistant, Legal Operations will report to the General Counsel.

Position Overview

TheOfficeofGeneral Counsel (OGC) is responsible for providing expert advice of counsel and legal representation to DCPS' Chancellor, CentralOffice, principals, and other school-based staff to help ensure that all DCPS students, regardless of background or circumstance, receive a world-class education that prepares them for success in college, career, and life. Major practice areas in OGCinclude:General Practice, which includes FOIA, FERPA, policy andethics, Laborand Employment, and Special Education due process litigation under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004 (IDEA). Additionally, theofficeincludes the Labor Management and Employee Relations (LMER) team and the Compliance division.

• The Labor Management & Employee Relations (LMER)work group is responsible for supporting DCPS on a wide range of employee relations matters, including but not limited to: ensuring compliance with EEO laws;facilitating the proper implementation of progressive discipline; assisting employees with workplace problems; collaborating with unions to resolve issues and address concerns; working with managers to ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, and policies; scheduling meditations and hearings to address grievances; investigating allegations of misconduct by employees, contractors, and volunteers; and conducting background investigations to determine suitability for DCPS employment and service providers.
• The Compliance divisionis made up of the Internal Audit, Special Education Compliance, Risk Management, and Comprehensive Alternative Resolution and Equity (CARE) teams. The Compliance division works closely with various federal and District agencies, including but not limited to the Department of Education,Officeofthe Inspector General,Officeofthe District of Columbia Auditor,Officeofthe State Superintendent of Education,OfficeofHuman Rights,Officeofthe Chief FinancialOfficer, and Metropolitan Police Department on an as needed basis. The division receives concerns and complaints from students, parents, and third parties and provides effective andequitableresolution to issues raised, conducts internal audits of DCPS programs, and oversees the management of all audits of DCPS conducted by external entities. The division is also responsible foridentifyingandmitigating risks and workingand collaborating to ensure safety. The Compliance team’s mission is to work with all Schools and Central Services departments to ensure that operations and programming are compliant with applicable DCPS, District, and federal laws, regulations, and policies.

The Legal Operations team is responsible for managing the priorities and operations within OGC and oversees the development, finalization, and execution of OGC’s departmental operating plan and budget. The team also manages r esource allocation, change management, and decision-making for the office in addition to providing administrative and technical legal support.

The Assistant, Legal Operations will be responsible for performing administrative, program, and technical work to support the Legal Operations team. In addition to assisting with daily legal operations, the Assistant, Legal Operations will complete a variety of clerical work in support of various operations-related projects.

This position has been designated as Protection Sensitive. Pursuant to section 410 of Chapter 4 of the D.C. Personnel Regulations; in addition to the general suitability screening, individuals applying for or occupying protection sensitive positions are subject to the following checks and tests: Criminal background check; Sex Offender Registry check; Traffic record check (as applicable).

The Assistant, Legal Operations will report to the General Counsel.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The below statements are intended to describe the general nature and scope of work being performed by this position. This is not a complete listing of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required. Other duties may be assigned.

• Receives telephone calls, visitors, and guests to the office; responds to and assists in resolving a variety of inquiries.
• Builds relationships and liaises with various internal departments to obtain information and collaborate on projects.
• Schedules and coordinates meetings, conferences, and appointments, as well as program/project-related logistics.
• Researches specific issues or inquiries regarding program- or project-related topics and reports back findings.
• Handles and follows up on inquiries and correspondence regarding outstanding actions, procedures, and policies.
• Utilizes various computer programs to track data and create presentations, charts, graphs, tables, and memos.
• Reviews, logs, and disseminates mail, faxes, and other correspondences appropriately.
• Serves as initial point of contact for particular projects, internal DCPS issues, and/or information needs.
• Keeps abreast of various DCPS procedural requirements and changes and adjusts operations accordingly.
• Tracks progress of ongoing internal projects and initiatives; flags key issues of concern.
• Troubleshoots and develops best practice routines and processes pertaining to administrative matters.

Qualifications

• High school diploma and one to two years of legal work experience. Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Previous exposure to or experience in the education sector a plus.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office 365 applications.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Previous experience working in a legal office preferred.

DCPS Values

• STUDENTS FIRST: We recognize students as whole children and put their needs first in everything we do.
• COURAGE: We have the audacity to learn from our successes and failures, to try new things, and to lead the nation as a proof point of PK-12 success.
• EQUITY: We work proactively to eliminate opportunity gaps by interrupting institutional bias and investing in effective strategies to ensure every student succeeds.
• EXCELLENCE: We work with integrity and hold ourselves accountable for exemplary outcomes, service, and interactions.
• TEAMWORK: We recognize that our greatest asset is our collective vision and ability to work collaboratively and authentically.
• JOY: We enjoy our collective work and will enthusiastically celebrate our success and each other.

We are an equal opportunity employer and are committed to creating an inclusive, accessible workplace. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals with disabilities. Accommodation and/or application assistance is available upon request at all stages of the application and employment process. To request accommodation, please contact [e-mail].