OSSE: Attorney Advisor (LS-13)

Job SummaryThis Attorney Advisor position is located in the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE), Office of the General Counsel (OGC). Legal practice areas include, but are not limited to special education, civil rights compliance, grants, contracts, student health, labor and employment, student privacy, regulatory enforcement, and administrative law.OSSE serves as the District’s liaison to the U.S. Department of Education and works closely with the District’s traditional and public charter schools to achieve its key functions, including overseeing all federal education programs and related grants administered in the District of Columbia; developing state-level standards aligned with school, college, and workforce readiness expectations; ensuring access to high-quality child care and universal pre-kindergarten for eligible District families; providing resources and support to assist the District’s most vulnerable student populations; administering the annual student assessment test (PARCC); providing regional, door-to-door transportation to school for District children with special needs; awarding higher education financial assistance to eligible District students at public and private colleges and universities in DC and across the country; increasing health and physical education awareness as well as ensuring access to free meals year-round; and providing a one-stop source of statewide school data on each traditional and public charter school through the DC School Report Card and STAR Framework.Duties And ResponsibilitiesThe incumbent of this position provides legal advice, conducts extensive and detailed legal document research dealing with proposed laws and amendments to existing laws; superseded laws and regulations; and the legislative history of Federal and District laws and regulations. Drafts testimony for the Senior Attorney or the Chief Legal Counsel or designee, and other Managers within a specific division/section of a legal office, for presentation at hearings before the Council of the District of Columbia and/or Congressional committees, as well as for presentation in public forums. Reviews, researches and prepares Office responses by management to selected and sensitive and often confidential inquiries and correspondence from the Mayor, members of the Council of the District of Columbia, officials of the District and Federal government and surrounding jurisdictions, members of the private sector, both individual and organized, and the general public. Assists with conducting a continuing review and evaluation of existing District of Columbia and Federal statutes and regulations to determine the need for new regulations or amendments, new administrative and enforcement procedures, and to provide clarification, in instances of ambiguities or conflict with other laws and regulations.Recommends and drafts new enabling legislation and amendments to existing legislation for review and approval, as appropriate. Represents the agency in complex administrative hearings, and prepares evidence, briefs, motions, and other documents to support cases as necessary. Assists the Office and/or the Office of the Attorney General with litigation. Incumbent may have to confer with and incorporate concerns of District Government officials, members of administrative bodies, and officials outside of the District Government with actions taken during enforcement cases. Keeps abreast of judicial, agency, and other changes in laws and regulations related to the function of programs and the recommendation of appropriate courses of action to the Office and/or to OAG. Assists with the training of inspectors in laws, rules, regulations, adjudicative process, and gathering information and documentation for supporting evidence pursuant to enforcement or corrective actions. Assists in reviewing and revising directives and correspondence, including standard operating procedures, inspection reports, reporting requirements, and other legal documents related to enforcement actions. Answers questions regarding compliance with grant requirements, auditing, reporting, as well as questions relating to fraud and to grant deficiency practices. Gives advice regarding compliance with applicable personnel regulations and agreements, including advice related to personnel actions.Qualifications And ExperiencePossession of a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) at the time of appointment and have at least two (2) years of post J.D. legal experience.Licensures, Certifications, And Other RequirementsCandidate must be a current member of the District of Columbia Bar in good standing or must be admitted in another United States jurisdiction, be eligible to waive in, and be admitted into the D.C. Bar within 365 days of their appointment.Working Conditions/EnvironmentWork is normally performed in an office environment. Occasionally, the incumbent may be required to visit various locations within the District of Columbia.Other Significant FactorsTour of Duty:

VariesDuration of Appointment:

This is a Legal Service (LS) Appointment. An appointee to the Legal Service position shall remain a member of good standing of the District of Columbia Bar during their employment in the Legal Service.Promotion Potential:

No known promotional potentialPlan, Series, Grade:

LA-0905-13Salary:

$109,019 - $141,734; based on available fundingCollective Bargaining Unit (Union):

This position is covered under collective bargaining agreement American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE Local 1403) Collective Bargaining Unit. You may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.Position Designation:

In accordance with Chapter 4 of the D.C. personnel regulations, Suitability, this position has been deemed security-sensitive. Accordingly, the incumbent will be subject to pre-employment checks (criminal background checks, consumer credit check, traffic record checks, and drug screenings, if applicable) as a condition of employment, and will be subject to periodic criminal background checks for the duration of your tenure.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.).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.

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