General Counsel

Texas School for the Deaf; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas School for the Deaf seeks a licensed attorney to advise the Superintendent and Governing Board on school law, special education, and human resources. The role includes serving as a liaison to the Office of the Attorney General and supporting administrators with legal requirements and policy development.

Responsibilities include attending ARD/IEP meetings when needed, providing training on legal issues, and guiding investigations related to agency matters, all while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• Licensed attorney in Texas with a law degree and board standing.
• Working knowledge of IDEA, employment and civil rights laws, or school law.
• Sign Language proficiency with SLPI Survival level or higher.

Responsibilities

• Provide legal advice and opinions to the Superintendent and Governing Board.
• Coordinate with the Office of the Attorney General as liaison for board matters.
• Attend ARD/IEP meetings when legal representation is warranted.
• Train agency employees on legal issues and school law.

Skills

Sign Language SLPI Survival

Legal Knowledge

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Education

LL.B. or J.D. degree

Tools

MS Office

Job description

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT

Length of position: 12 months

Hours: Full-Time

SUMMARY

Provides legal advice, consultation and opinions to Superintendent and Governing Board of the Texas School for the Deaf, a State of Texas Agency that functions similarly to an independent school district providing Deaf education services. Provides legal advice, consultation and opinions to administrators and supervisors at request of Superintendent; serves as liaison between the office of the Attorney General and the Superintendent and the Board. Areas of legal advice include school law, special education, business, and human resources. Works under general supervision with moderate latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provides legal advice, opinions and consultation to the President of the TSD Governing Board
• Serves as a liaison between the TSD Governing Board and the Office of the Attorney General

Superintendent

• Provides legal advice, opinions and consultation to the Superintendent regarding legal requirements related to state and federal law and rules related to all school functions (school law, special education business, and human resources)
• Performs special projects as assigned
• Under the direction of the Superintendent, participates in development and review of Board Policies Administration
• At the request of the Superintendent, provides legal advice, opinions and consultation to administrators and supervisors related to specific departmental and division activities
• At the request of the Superintendent, provides advice on or conducts investigations related to agency issues
• Attend ARD/IEP meetings when the circumstances warrant legal representation
• Provides training to agency employees on legal issues and general school law

Employee Relations

• Coordinates and advises supervisors and administrators regarding responses to employee grievances
• Advises Human Resources and Superintendent on employee disciplinary actions
• Completes other duties as assigned

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Five years of experience in legal work related to school law and state agency law or regulations
• Graduation from an accredited law school with a LL.B. or J.D. degree
• Licensed as an attorney by the State of Texas and member in good standing with the State Bar of Texas
• A working knowledge of the following – 1) knowledge of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, and similar laws; 2) knowledge of employment and civil rights laws; and/or 3) knowledge of general school laws
• Sign Language: The ultimate required proficiency level for the position using the levels designated in the Signed LanguageProficiency Interview (SLPI) is Survival. If hired with a sign language proficiency level below this level, you are required to participate in signed communication learning opportunities on a regular basis until you have achieved the sign language proficiency level assigned to your position

DESIREABLE QUALIFICATIONS

• Documented experience in special education litigation
• Working knowledge of the Deaf community and Deaf Education principles
• Knowledge of legal principles, practices, and proceedings of agency laws, regulations, and statutes
• Previous experience preparing legal documents, conducting research, interpreting and applying laws, summarizing findings, preparing cases for trial, and conducting hearings
• Ability to communicate effective with administrators, supervisors, staff and the general public
• Previous experience using computers, standard office equipment, and MS Office
• Sign communication skills above required proficiency level for the position

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities/Attributes

Legal knowledge

• Core legal areas: Comprehensive understanding of relevant laws like corporate, employment, and contract law.
• Compliance and governance: Expertise in regulatory issues, compliance protocols, and corporate governance.
• Legal operations: Proficiency in legal research, case preparation, and document drafting.

Business and strategic skills

• Business acumen: A strong grasp of the company's industry, operations, and broader economic environment.
• Strategic thinking: The ability to see the "big picture," identify risks, and align legal strategy with business goals.
• Financial literacy: Understanding of financial concepts like budgeting and forecasting.
• Risk management: Experience in anticipating legal risks and developing proactive solutions.

Leadership and management

• Team leadership: Proven ability to manage and lead a diverse legal team, including delegating and supervising work.
• Decision-making: Strong judgment and the ability to make sound decisions, often under pressure.
• Strategic direction: Capacity to provide direction, manage change, and inspire others.

Communication and interpersonal skills

• Oral and written communication: Excellent skills for presenting to executives, writing detailed documents, and negotiating.
• Negotiation: Ability to effectively negotiate with external parties and internal stakeholders.
• Interpersonal skills: High emotional intelligence and the ability to build credibility and trust with colleagues, the board, and other business units.
• Analytical skills: The capacity to analyze complex information, research arguments, and interpret technical documents.

Professional and personal attributes

• Ethics and integrity: A high degree of professional ethics and integrity.
• Attention to detail: Meticulousness when reviewing complex legal documents.
• Adaptability: Ability to adapt to change and work under pressure while managing multiple projects.
• Calm temperament: Maintaining composure in crisis situations.

SUPERVISOR:

Superintendent

MILITARY OCCUPATION SPECIALTY (MOS) CODE:

General Counsel III, see page 2 of http://www.hr.sao.texas.gov/Compensation/MilitaryCrosswalk/MOSC_Legal.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity statement

It is the Texas School for the Deaf’s (TSD) policy to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, political affiliation or belief, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law. TSD expressly prohibits any form of workplace discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics. Retaliation against individuals who oppose unlawful discrimination or participate in an employment discrimination proceeding is also prohibited. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including hiring, firing, promotions, training, wages, and benefits. In addition to federal law requirements, TSD complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.