Legal Counsel - Office of Special Education, State Operated Schools

Job Location: This position will be located at 205 Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65101.

Why you’ll love this position:

Within the Division of Learning Services, the Office of Special Education administers state and federal funds to support services for students and adults with disabilities. This office also oversees the operation of three school systems administered by the State Board of Education. These are the Missouri School for the Blind, the Missouri School for the Deaf and the Missouri Schools for Severely Disabled. Through their outreach programs and consulting services, these school systems assist local school personnel and families throughout the state in meeting the needs of children with disabilities.

• Provide legal advice to the State Operated Programs regarding the interpretation and application of special education law, regulation, policy, and practices.
• Assist in the development of regulation and policy on behalf of the State Operated Programs.
• Provide litigation support for State Operated Programs and act as a liaison between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) and the Office Attorney General.
• Assist in the development, writing and review of contracts, agreements, and procedures for the State Operated Programs, and for other Department offices as requested.
• Manage and coordinate Sunshine Law and other record requests for the Office of Special Education programs, including email and record searches, tracking, meeting deadlines, and providing counsel to program staff on providing responsive documents.
• Assist in providing legal guidance in human resources questions.
• Develop and provide training to State Operated Program staff as needed.
• Coordinate with the Legal Counsel - Office of Special Education, Compliance on workload management and issues that impact the Office of Special Education as a whole.
• Assist the Department’s Chief Counsel and the Office of Special Education Assistant Commissioner by researching and responding to internal and external inquiries relating to case law, legislation, regulations, and federal and state statutes.
• Address and respond, or assist in preparing responses, to constituent and legal counsel questions regarding the Office of Special Education from legislators, legislative staff, other local and state officials, and legal counsel on behalf of clients.
• Assist in responding to Office of Civil Rights, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints against the Department.
• Provide legal support to the Office of the Chief Counsel.
• Serve as a hearing officer for the Department as designated by the Commissioner of Education.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA approved law school.
• Member of the Missouri Bar in good standing.

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here .

If you have questions about this position please contact: hr@dese.mo.gov

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at (573) 751-9619, through Missouri Relay System at (800) 735-2966, or via email at hr@dese.mo.gov .

Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to department programs and to the location of services, activities, and facilities that are accessible by persons with disabilities may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Director of Civil Rights Compliance and MOA Coordinator (Title VI/Title VII/Title IX/504/ADA/ADAAA/Age Act/GINA/USDA Title VI), 7 th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0480; telephone number 573-522-1775 or TTY 800-735-2966; fax number 573-522-4883; email civilrights@dese.mo.gov.

To Our Applicants with Disabilities: For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at (573) 751-9619. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service (800) 735-2966.

Notice to Applicants: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

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• State of Missouri

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