SY26/27 General Counsel

Camden City School District; Camden (NJ); Sur place; USD 150 000 - 210 000; Plein temps

Avantages offerts par ce poste

Full medical coverage

Dental coverage

Vision coverage

NJ Pension (PERS)

Résumé du poste

The Camden City School District seeks a General Counsel to serve as a senior district leader, advising the Superintendent and Advisory Board on legal, governance, labor, regulatory, and strategic matters. You will help establish and implement a legal strategy to support the district's priorities, manage external counsel, and ensure compliance with state education law and policy.

This role includes leading complex negotiations, drafting policies, and representing the district in hearings and

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor with license to practice law in NJ and federal courts.
• At least 6 years of relevant legal experience in NJ education and school law.
• At least 3 years advising NJ school districts on education and school law and labor relations.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to pass background checks.
• Ability to work within public sector governance and compliance requirements.

Responsabilités

• Provide legal guidance on new initiatives, policy changes, and questions of law.
• Advise on district strategy to align with state and local laws.
• Draft and oversee implementation of new legal policies.
• Support performance management to align personnel policies with laws and CBAs.
• Represent the district in litigation, arbitration, and labor negotiations as needed.
• Oversee outside counsel and manage legal budget and district projects.
• Coordinate governance training for Advisory Board members and leadership.

Connaissances

Legal leadership

Governance

Labor law

Education law

Policy interpretation

Formation

Juris Doctor

Outils

Legal research tools

Description du poste

Position Type: Superintendent's Office / General Counsel

Date Posted: 10/8/2026

Location: Camden City School District (High-Needs School)

Closing Date: 10/17/2026

General Counsel

(Pending availability of funds and Superintendent's approval)

The Superintendent invites qualified and interested candidates to apply for the position of General Counsel.

Role Overview

The General Counsel will serve as a senior district leader, advising the Superintendent and Advisory Board of Education on legal, governance, labor, regulatory, and strategic matters. The General Counsel will help establish and implement the legal strategy necessary to support the Camden City School District's priorities.

Minimum Requirements

• Juris Doctor, with license to practice law in the state and federal courts in New Jersey.
• Commitment to upholding the mandates and tenets of the New Jersey Rules of Professional Conduct for attorneys.
• At least 6 years of relevant legal experience in New Jersey education and school law.
• At least 3 years of experience representing and advising/counseling New Jersey school districts in all aspects of:
  • At least 3 years of experience representing and advising New Jersey school districts in education and school law, including, but not limited to, the Public School Contracts Law, Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act, fiscal accountability regulations, and special education; and in public-sector labor and employment law, including, but not limited to, contract formation, union negotiations, interpretation and administration of collective bargaining agreements, labor grievances, and school board policies.
• A valid driver's license as well as current insurance and vehicle with valid registration.
• Successful completion of a criminal history background check and physical examination, and proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with the operations of State government, particularly the New Jersey Department of Education, and its various offices, including but not limited to, the Commissioner, Assistant Commissioners, Office of Fiscal Accountability and Compliance, Office of School Funding, State Board of Examiners, and Office of Licensure and Credentials.
• Practical knowledge of Title18A statutes and Title 6A regulations, and proficiency in using legal research tools and resources applicable to New Jersey education law.
• Experience working in nonprofit, education, consulting and/or entrepreneurial sectors that serve low-income students and/or communities.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex management efforts.

Role & Responsibilities

Major responsibilities of the role include, but are not limited to:

Counsel on District Strategy and Implementation

• Provide legal guidance as it pertains to new initiatives, revision of existing policies, and any aspect of the school system where questions of law and policy may arise.
• Provide the District with accurate, thoughtful and sound legal advice on the district's strategy to transform Camden's schools in alignment with state, district, and local laws and policies.
• Draft and oversee the implementation of new legal policies to address gaps in current district practice and advise Board and Superintendent of required changes.
• Support the district's performance management and evaluation strategy by ensuring all personnel policies align with state law and collective bargaining agreements.
• Serve as a representative of the State Superintendent at legal and administrative proceedings, including lawsuits, grievances, and arbitration hearings.
• Advise District leaders on all labor- and employment-related legal issues and policy development.
• Assist the District in developing union contract proposals and labor-negotiation strategies, and participate in labor negotiations as requested.
• Conduct research and gather documents to prepare for collective bargaining, contract administration and other functions pertaining to labor relations.
• Assist with the drafting and litigation of tenure charge matters.
• Advise/counsels on employee disciplinary actions and proceedings.
• Represent the District in federal, State, and administrative hearings and trials for labor and employment-related matters.
• Provide legal advice to district staff on compliance with 18A statutes, 6A regulations, and other aspects of education and school law.
• Knowledge of New Jersey laws, regulations, and legal requirements arising from the Abbott school-funding litigation.
• Familiarity with the New Jersey Schools Development Authority and its role in school-facilities matters.

Project Management

• Oversee and project manage all cases referred to outside counsel, including managing a legal budget.
• Oversee and/or support projects and initiatives in other divisions and departments throughout the District on an as-needed basis.
• Track requests under the Open Public Records Act ("OPRA") and oversee timely responses within all deadlines mandated by law.
• Review and manage the responses for all document requests, including student records requests, subpoenas, and discovery requests sent to the District.
• Review and if necessary respond to IRS notices related to payroll functions.
• Serve as the District's liaison to outside counsel for litigation and insurance-related matters.

Board Management and Governance

• Serve as counsel at all Advisory Board of Education meetings, including the oversight of all public comment sessions.
• Serve as District liaison on the Advisory Board Policy & Governance Committee.
• Provide the Advisory Board and Superintendent with counsel on all matters involving board meeting operations, including compliance with the Open Public Meetings Act ("OPMA").
• Coordinate periodic training for Advisory Board members on board governance, ethics, and legal updates, and organize the annual Advisory Board retreat.
• The General Counsel may also take on other tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the Superintendent, or other members of the district's senior leadership team.

The General Counsel may not engage in the private practice of law while employed by the Camden City School District unless prior approval is granted by the Superintendent.

Reports to & Evaluated By

• State District Superintendent

Benefits

Full medical, dental, prescription, and vision coverage is available, including spouse, child, and family coverage.

• Mandatory enrollment in NJ Pension (PERS)
• Optional pre-tax benefits available, including flexible spending accounts for childcare, healthcare and transportation

Minimum Starting Salary

$150,000

Maximum Starting Salary

$210,000

Residency Requirement

Under the New Jersey First Act (N.J.S.A. 52:14-7), employees of New Jersey public school districts must maintain bona fide New Jersey residency as a condition of employment. Candidates must reside in New Jersey or establish residency within the timeframe required by law after hire. Employees hired on or before September 1, 2011, are exempt and may continue to reside outside New Jersey. In limited circumstances, an applicant may request a waiver from the State's Employee Residency Review Committee based on critical need or hardship; approval is not guaranteed.

THE CAMDEN CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYER

(Pending availability of funds and Superintendent's approval)