Chief Counsel

Please note: The salary range listed in this job description is a base salary. Applicants eligible for years-of-service adjustments or shift differentials may exceed salary range listed above.

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

Primary counsel to the State Board of Education, the Commissioner of Education, and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department).

• Supervise and oversee the work of the Chief Counsel legal team, comprised of attorneys and legal support staff positions.
• Serve as primary department legal contact for all legal matters related to and coming before the State Board of Education.
• Coordinate the Department’s legal response on all matters, and serve as liaison to the Office of the Attorney General.
• Provide legal support in the form of memos, trainings, presentations, research, and other assistance as requested to members of the State Board, Commissioner of Education, Deputy Commissioners of Education, as well as for agency staff reporting to these positions.
• Provide legal advice on personnel matters, internal complaints, investigations, and Office of Civil Rights, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints against the Department.
• Coordinate Department-held administrative hearings; administrative rule making; and records retention pursuant to Chapter 105, RSMo.
• Address and respond, or assist in preparing responses to constituent, legislative, and other questions regarding the Department.
• Assist in the development, drafting, and review of contracts, agreements, and procedures for the Department.
• Serve as the Department Privacy Officer; provide overarching departmental strategy and specific guidance and assistance relating to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA); the Missouri Open Meetings and Records (“Sunshine”) Act; and general privacy issues.
• Perform other related work as assigned.
• Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA approved law school
• Member of the Missouri Bar in good standing
• Five years’ state agency or other public governmental agency experience

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous 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.gov

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 , through Missouri Relay System at , or via email .

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), 7th Floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, MO ;

telephone number  or TTY ; fax number ; email civil rights.gov.

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

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.