Assistant School Division Counsel and Title IX Coordinator

Assistant School Division Counsel and Title IX Coordinator

Full-time, 12 months/year

In Albemarle County Public Schools, we work together as a team to end the predictive value of race, class, gender, and special capacities for our children's success through high-quality teaching and learning for all. We seek to build relationships with families and communities to ensure that every student succeeds.

We are the first public school division in Virginia, and among the first in the country, to develop and implement an Anti-Racism policy with the expressed purpose of building school communities that share the responsibility to recognize and end racism, eliminate inequitable practices that result in achievement gaps, and support the unique gifts, talents, and interests of every child. In ACPS, "all" really means all.

ACPS employees enjoy competitive pay and benefits, including health & dental coverage, retirement, flexible spending accounts, paid time off, wellness program, discounts on gym memberships, and more! Be sure to check out our website to learn more about our Division and our Schools.

The Assistant School Division Counsel and Title IX Coordinator, under the direction of the School Division Counsel, is responsible for providing effective legal services to the School Board, the Superintendent and Division employees in legal matters. In addition to providing support in a wide range of legal matters, this position provides leadership, management, and administration of Albemarle County Public School's (ACPS) compliance with federal Title IX requirements and related state and school division policies and regulations. This position serves as the Title IX resource for ACPS employees, students, and parents and guardians.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Assists the School Division Counsel with conducting legal and policy research and the creation of legal documents required in the operation of the school division;
• Reviews vendor contracts, deeds and other legal documents;
• Provides assistance to the School Division Counsel with litigations and negotiations involving the School Board, Superintendent or employees in state and federal courts;
• Advises the school division personnel on compliance with federal and state statues, County policies and ordinances, court process, rules, regulations, policy and practice;
• Supports School Division Counsel to provide legal advice to the School Board and attend meetings as needed;
• Manages all aspects of Title IX compliance on behalf of ACPS, serving approximately 14,000 students and 2,400 licensed and classified staff.
• Administers, supervises, and monitors compliance with federal Title IX requirements, related state regulations, and School Board Policies.
• Triages all reports of potential sexual misconduct or sex discrimination across the entire school division, using legal background to apply the regulatory standard to specific fact patterns, and determines whether Title IX applies to the situation or ascertains and obtains the further information required to make that determination.
• Leads ACPS employees through the complex Title IX grievance process and provides advice and support; staffs each case with an investigator, decision-maker, and if needed, appellate decision-maker; and addresses questions or challenges faced by those employees.
• Educates and advises parties, parents, and guardians on the Title IX grievance process and their rights and responsibilities with respect thereto.
• Develops and maintains deep knowledge of Title IX requirements, case law, regulatory history, proposed regulatory amendments, and related state and federal laws and regulations, to make informed legal judgments when applying the regulation to specific Title IX cases or potential cases.
• Conducts Title IX research as needed.
• Consults with the School Division's legal counsel concerning Title IX regulations and compliance.
• Revises existing School Board Policies and ACPS standard operating procedures, as appropriate and in coordination with ACPS leadership, to implement best practices and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Works to ensure a prompt, thorough, and impartial process for all parties.
• Maintains confidentiality during all proceedings as required and possible.
• Revises all formal written documents prepared during the grievance process for clarity, thoroughness, and consistency.
• Develops, implements, and conducts Title IX training for employees, and serves as primary Title IX knowledge resource for ACPS.
• Establishes, implements, and coordinates supportive measures with school administrators and staff, parties, and parents and guardians for all active and potential Title IX cases.
• Monitors all Title IX cases through the grievance process and establishes and maintains deadlines for Title IX staff to ensure ACPS response to Title IX complaints is reasonably prompt and is in accordance with Title IX regulations.
• Directly supervises Title IX Investigators.
• Oversees informal resolutions, conducting mediations between opposing parties.
• Develops system for tracking Title IX cases and issues regular status reports.
• Identifies any systemic deficiencies with ACPS compliance with Title IX regulatory requirements.
• Maintains reporting obligations to outside agencies and coordinates Title IX investigations with law enforcement where appropriate.
• Redevelops ACPS Title IX website and creates new content for ACPS staff, parents and guardians, students, and the school community.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Comprehensive knowledge of Title IX law and regulations, and legal skills to apply such regulations to specific situations. Comprehensive knowledge of federal constitutional provisions, statutory law, case law, and regulations; comprehensive knowledge of state constitutional provisions, statutory law, case law, and regulations; and comprehensive knowledge of local ordinances, policies, and regulations as applicable to the authority and function of school boards and school divisions. Comprehensive knowledge of School Board policy and practice. Must have strong leadership, organizational, problem-solving, and conflict-resolution skills, be skilled in training staff and facilitating meetings, and proficient in the use of technology. Must have excellent research skills and writing abilities. Proficient in conducting investigations and documentation. Must have the ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects and tasks; organize and manage time effectively; communicate effectively both orally and in writing and possess the ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information. Must have the ability to skillfully manage individual, group, and organizational interactions, and establish and maintain effective working relationships with school officials, parents, students, teachers, support staff, and associates.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

A Juris Doctorate from an accredited U.S. law school is required, as well as a minimum of three years of related experience. Must be an active member in good standing of the Virginia State Bar or possess the ability to waive into membership with the Virginia State Bar through reciprocity as a member of another U.S. state bar.

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS AND NATURE OF WORK CONTACTS:

School administrative work is typically performed in an office setting. Regular coordination with principals, teachers, and other school staff is necessary. Occasional attendance to school-related activities throughout the state and after normal working hours is necessary. Daily contact is made with school administrators and central office employees. Regular contact is made with parents and guardians, teachers, and the community. These contacts often require considerable skill, ability to build trust, tact, and diplomacy and may require confidential and sensitive material.

EVALUATION:

Performance will be evaluated on the ability and effectiveness in carrying out the above responsibility.