Manager, Law Office / Paralegal at Orange County Department of Education
About the Employer
The Orange County Department of Education (OCDE) serves some of Orange County’s most vulnerable student populations and provides support and mandated fiscal oversight to 28 school districts serving more than 600 schools and approximately 475,000 students. In addition to providing direct instruction to students through its own alternative and special education programs, OCDE administers an array of programs and services that are critical to the operations of local school districts and community colleges, facilitating professional development, legal guidance, payroll, career and technical education support, high-speed internet access, Local Control and Accountability Plan assistance and approval, resources for families, and student enrichment. OCDE’s vision is that “Orange County students will lead the nation in college and career readiness and success.” Department staff are working to achieve this goal in collaboration with educators at all levels of student development, from early childhood through higher education, and in partnership with families, businesses and community organizations.
Job Summary
Job Summary
OCDE’s Legal Services advocates and promotes public education in Orange County by providing a variety of legal services to the OCDE and to school districts, community college districts, regional occupational programs, and special education local plan areas. We are looking for an experienced and enthusiastic individual to serve as Manager, Law Office/Paralegal. This position will perform specialized and highly sensitive and confidential legal duties which include: Manage and coordinate special education cases. Analyze legal issues, perform legal research and develop legal strategy; draft legal documents; and review contracts. Independently manage e-discovery, public record requests, student record requests, and subpoenas. Conduct investigations of complaints on behalf of OCDE and school district clients. Assist General Counsel in coordination of overall law office management including development and administration of budget. Identify, develop and maintain resources for use by attorneys and support staff. Interface with managers and administrators, faculty, students, the public, and other governmental agencies in investigating and advising on legal matters. Plan, prioritize, assign, and review the work of staff responsible for providing legal support services; prepare work schedules for appropriate staff. Select, train, schedule, supervise, lead, and evaluate assigned staff; provide resources and guidance to support staff success; work with employees to improve performance.
Requirements / Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in pre-law or related field or completion of an approved ABA paralegal program. • Three (3) years of three years of responsible paralegal experience including one year of lead or supervisory experience.
There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe your approach to analyzing legal issues, performing legal research, and developing legal strategies. 2. Please describe your experience and your process for managing responses to public record requests, subpoena duces tecum, and student record requests on behalf of a public agency? 3. What is your experience and approach in planning, prioritizing, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of legal support staff? 4. How would you balance your managerial responsibilities while supporting the diverse needs of the attorneys in Legal Services? 5. How would you contribute to the effective operation of Legal Services while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment? Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodations in the application process, please inform us.
Requirements / Qualifications
Education and Experience: Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be: • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in pre-law or related field or completion of an approved ABA paralegal program. • Three (3) years of three years of responsible paralegal experience including one year of lead or supervisory experience.
There are supplemental questions in the application. Please note that the EdJoin system will time-out after a 20-minute period of perceived inactivity. To assist you in the preparation of your application, the supplemental questions are listed here. Your responses should be thoughtful and thorough, and within the limit of 5,000 characters or less. We recommend that you prepare your responses in advance of beginning the application. 1. Please describe your approach to analyzing legal issues, performing legal research, and developing legal strategies. 2. Please describe your experience and your process for managing responses to public record requests, subpoena duces tecum, and student record requests on behalf of a public agency? 3. What is your experience and approach in planning, prioritizing, assigning, reviewing, and evaluating the work of legal support staff? 4. How would you balance your managerial responsibilities while supporting the diverse needs of the attorneys in Legal Services? 5. How would you contribute to the effective operation of Legal Services while fostering an inclusive and supportive environment? Notice to Applicants: If you require accommodations in the application process, please inform us.
Comments and Other Information
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application.
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA
Comments and Other Information
Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of the completed online application.
Before receiving authorization to work in this position, the individual selected will be required to provide a current negative TB authorization, within the last 60 days, and submit fingerprints for the purpose of conducting a confidential background investigation and record check. The tests are arranged and paid for by OCDE.
The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employability of all new employees. Before the Department will finalize an offer of employment, the candidate selected will be required to show original documents which establish both the individual’s identity and employment authorization. The candidate must also sign a statement under penalty of perjury regarding his/her employability.
We reserve the right to reopen, readvertise, or delay filling this position.
AA/EOE/ADA
Application Deadline
1/2/2024 3:00 PM Pacific
Date Posted
9/18/2023
Number of Openings
1
Salary
Pay Range
9,134.00 - 11,125.00 Monthly
9,134.00 - 11,125.00 Monthly
Add'l Salary Info
Classified Management, Range-26: Placement based on education and years of experience.
Length of Work Year
225 Days/12 Months
Employment Type
Full Time
Benefits
We provide a safe, caring, courteous, and professional environment that fosters collaborative work and individual development for employees. OCDE offers generous, comprehensive, tax-free insurance benefits options to full-time members of the staff. Benefits may be prorated for employees working fewer than 12 months per year or less than full-time. Benefits packages include medical, dental, and vision care insurance for employees and their eligible dependents, and life insurance for employees.