Education Law Counsel & Policy Advisor

West Virginia K-12 Jobs; Charleston (SC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 121,000; Full time

Job summary

West Virginia Department of Education seeks a General Counsel to provide legal counsel and representation to the State Superintendent of Schools, the WV Board of Education, and the WV Department of Education in Charleston, WV. The attorney will advise leadership on education, administrative, employment, regulatory, and government law matters and will represent the agency in legal proceedings.

This full-time on-site position requires a JD, bar admission in WV, and at least five years of relevant

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Active member in good standing of the West Virginia State Bar, or eligible for admission as required for the position.
• Minimum of five (5) years of professional legal experience.
• Experience representing or advising governmental agencies, educational entities, or other public-sector organizations preferred.
• Excellent legal research, writing, communication, analytical, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provides legal counsel and guidance to the State Superintendent, WVDE leadership, and agency staff on education, administrative, employment, and government law matters.
• Researches and interprets federal and state laws, regulations, policies, and legal precedent affecting public education and agency operations.
• Represents the State Superintendent and WVDE in administrative hearings, grievance proceedings, licensure matters, and other legal proceedings as assigned.
• Assists with investigations and matters involving educator licensure, employee discipline, grievances, and other administrative actions.
• Reviews, drafts, and advises on contracts, agreements, policies, procedures, proposed legislation, rules, and other legal documents.
• Responds to legal inquiries from agency leadership and staff and provides clear, practical, and timely legal guidance.
• Assists with Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, public records matters, and related compliance issues.
• Collaborates with agency leadership, outside counsel, and other governmental entities on litigation, legal strategy, policy development, and agency initiatives.
• Provides training and technical assistance to WVDE staff on legal, regulatory, policy, and compliance matters.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication

Analytical thinking

Organizational skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Juris Doctor (J.D.)

ABA-accredited law school

Job description

West Virginia Department of Education seeks a General Counsel to provide legal counsel and representation to the State Superintendent of Schools, the WV Board of Education, and the WV Department of Education in Charleston, WV. The attorney will advise leadership on education, administrative, employment, regulatory, and government law matters and will represent the agency in legal proceedings.

This full-time on-site position requires a JD, bar admission in WV, and at least five years of relevant