Attorney Advisor

General Job Information

The Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) is the State Education Agency for the District of Columbia charged with raising the quality of education for all DC residents. OSSE serves as the District's liaison to the U.S.

Department of Education and works closely with the District's 470+ early childhood facilities, 250+ schools, 60+ local education agencies (including DCPS and charter organizations), and community-based organizations to provide critical programming and resources to our stakeholders. OSSE is focused on sustaining, accelerating, and deepening the progress being made for the District's 90,000+ students.

This position is located in OSSE's Office of the General Counsel (OGC). The OGC is the legal office within the agency, providing legal advice and guidance to the State Superintendent, the leadership team, and programmatic staff across all divisions. Legal practice areas include, but are not limited to labor and employment, special education, civil rights compliance, regulatory enforcement, and administrative law.

We are seeking an attorney to serve as the primary Attorney Advisor for our Divisions of Student Transportation and Human Resources to provide support for labor negotiations, provide advice, strategy and guidance relating to union grievances, disputes involving wage and hour requirements, workplace discrimination, workplace sexual harassment, discrimination and other employment laws that govern the rights and duties between the agency and its employees. The Attorney Advisor will report to OSSE's General Counsel.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Attorney Advisor will review various legal documents and relevant case law to determine whether execution or non-execution of proposed actions is in the best interest of the District of Columbia government and provide statements of reasons and draft language necessary to obviate objections. The attorney will also examine and analyze proposed orders, legislation, and other legal documents from various sources for legal sufficiency, prepare memoranda on legal questions and proposals.

The incumbent will serve as an agency representative in represent the agency before administrative tribunals, including the D.C.

Office of Employee Appeals, the D.C.

Office of Human Rights, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and handle all case responsibilities, including the preparation of position statements, briefs, motions, and other documents and evidence to support cases, as necessary. The Attorney Advisor will also have the opportunity to work in other practice areas within OGC such as student health and wellness, special education due process litigation, child development facility licensing and enforcement, educator credentialing, and data privacy.

At times, the Attorney Advisor may be responsible for supporting grants programs administered by OSSE by resolving questions, within area of responsibility, regarding compliance with grant requirements, auditing, and reporting, as well as questions relating to fraud and to anti-deficiency practices. The Attorney Advisor will provide technical guidance and assistance to junior attorneys of OGC in areas of special expertise. The Attorney Advisor will report to OSSE's General Counsel.

Qualifications and Education

Applicants must possess a LLB or Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association at the time of appointment.

Applicants must have at least three (3) years of post J.D. professional legal experience. Applicants must possess at least one (1) year of specialized experience equivalent to the next lower grade level LA-13 in the normal line of progression. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped the applicant with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform successfully the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the position to be filled.

Licensures and Certifications

Applicants must be an active member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar or must be admitted in another United States jurisdiction, be eligible to waive in, and be admitted within 365 days of appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member in good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during his/her employment in the Legal Service.

Working Conditions /Environment

The work is primarily performed in a normal office setting.

Other Significant Facts

Tour of Duty: Monday

• Friday; 8:30am

• 5:00pm

Pay Plan, Series and Grade: LA-905-14

Type of Appointment: Legal Service

• Regular Appointment

Collective Bargaining Unit: This position is not in a collective bargaining unit.

Promotional Potential: No known promotion potential

Emergency Designation: This position has been designated as "emergency"; incumbent must adhere to the policies in sections 1271 and 1274 of DPM Chapter 12, regarding Emergency/Essential employees.

As an emergency employee, you will be required to either report to work, stay at work, or telework (if directed to do so) during a declared emergency or during a period of non-emergency where your duties have been deemed as critical District government functions/operations. You may be required to perform other duties outside of your position description during a period of a declared emergency (such as manual labor, shelter services, etc.).

Position Designation: This position has been designated as security sensitive therefore the incumbent of this position will be subject to enhanced suitability screening pursuant to Chapter 4 of DC Personnel Regulations, Suitability and as such, incumbents of this position shall be subject to criminal background checks, background investigations, and mandatory drug and alcohol testing, as applicable.

Residency Preference: Applicants claiming "Residency Preference" will be required to maintain residency in the District of Columbia for a minimum of seven (7) years. Failure to do so may result in forfeiture of employment.

EEO Statement: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.