ESSENTIAL JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Provides legal counsel and guidance to the officers of Endeavors and other upper management on all legal matters relevant to the organizations programs, including policies, procedures, rules, and regulations, and laws pertaining to clients, real estate transactions, contracts and grants, tax matters, worker's compensation, liability and insurance matters, public monies and purchases, affirmative action, and other laws and regulations. Anticipates and identifies legal issues and counsels officers of Endeavors and other upper management in order to develop legal strategies and solutions, often in situations of great political, public relations, or financial risk or significance, and with limited time for assessing alternatives. Reviews, researches, interprets, and prepares both written and oral opinions on a wide variety of legal issues. Drafts, reviews, and approves policies and procedures, regulations, bylaws, and other legal documents. Reviews federal government service contracts and private sector agreements, leases, and other legal documents; researches legal issues and recommends revisions as necessary. Reviews and provides guidance and recommendations on contract renewals and change requests to which the Agency is a party. Prepares detailed management reports on audit findings, recommendations for improvements and corrective actions planned to mitigate risk. Reports findings in a prompt and thorough manner to CEO and other executive or Board committee as required. Creates plans for corrective action and follows up with responsible parties within the Agency to report on corrections implemented to avoid future risks. Represents or oversees the representation of the institution and upper management in judicial and administrative proceedings, and in negotiations with other state agencies. Selects and retains outside counsel, as required, to obtain legal opinions or to handle claims and litigation. Provides training to the organization on various legal issues through seminars and meetings. Maintains professional growth and development through seminars, workshops, and professional affiliations to keep abreast of latest developments in non-profit and government contracting law and in other related areas. Lead the organization’s risk management program to ensure risks are identified and managed proactively. The risk program will oversee all business lines and monitor programs from a variety of risk perspective to include strategic, operational, legal/compliance, financial, reputation. Partner with key functions and leaders to administer and enhance compliance and monitoring programs. Serve as liaison for compliance and regulatory audits, exams and investigations with the compliance officer. Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned. ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION: J.D. from an American Bar Association accredited law school; Member of TX State Bar, or member in good standing of the State Bar of another state or District of Columbia. EXPERIENCE: 10 years in corporate, non-profit or public entity legal or compliance. 5 or more years risk management experience in the nonprofit and/or government sector. Prior role as general counsel and/or chief compliance officer for large, complex organization and experience with federal contracts preferred. ATTENDANCE: Must maintain regular and acceptable attendance at such level as is determined in the employer’s sole discretion. LICENSES: Driver’s License with clear record. VEHICLE: Must have daily use of a vehicle without prior notice. OTHER: Must be available and willing to travel to various locations and with such frequency as the business need dictates. EXCEPTIONS TO THESE CRITERIA MUST BE APPROVED BY THE DEPARTMENT HEAD. ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: COMMUNICATION: Ability to communicate clearly and effectively via oral or written means. Ability to present a friendly and positive demeanor to parents, school personnel, licensing, staff and the general public. Ability to make oral presentations. COMPOSURE: Ability to remain calm and maintain self-control in the midst of difficult circumstances and emergencies. Ability to respond in a professional manner in all situations. DECISION MAKING: Ability to set work priorities and to evaluate and create solutions to work related problems. Ability to think analytically and evaluate the impact of decisions. ORGANIZATION: Ability to plan ahead several months to a year. Ability to keep various on-going projects organized and files maintained accurately. Above normal levels of concentration and memory required. Requires good time management practices and the ability to meet multiple deadlines. |