The work we do matters!
Hiring Agency: Education - Agency 13
Location: Lincoln
Hiring Rate: $66,073
Classification Salary Range: $56.96 - $82.98
Job Posting: JR2024-00007656 General Counsel (Open)
Applications No Longer Accepted On: 07-13-2024
Job Description: The Nebraska Department of Education is looking for a General Counsel to provide strategic leadership, vision, and guidance to the Commissioner of Education and Office of Legal Services aligned with the mission, strategic priorities, and goals of the State Board of Education.
The team will conduct interviews throughout the posting. This position may be closed any time after ten calendar days from the posting date.
Office Location & Schedule: This position is assigned to our office located at 84th & O St, Lincoln, NE.
Pay Rate: $137,432.81/year. This rate is based on available budget funds; the selected candidate’s skills, abilities, education, and experience may provide an opportunity for a higher salary rate.
Teammates Enjoy: In addition to being part of meaningful work and making a difference through public service, our Total Compensation package includes an approximate $43,100 in additional Benefits value!
- Competitive benefits, paid time off, and retirement
- 79% employer-paid health insurance, dental, vision, long and short-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts, employee discount program, and more!
- Generous vacation and sick leave earnings each year (starting at 12 days each!), plus a variety of other leave types
- 156% state-matched retirement (yes, that’s $1.56 for every dollar!) with a guaranteed 5% return
- Thirteen paid holidays per year
Essential Functions:
- Provides leadership, coordination, and implementation for sections and guidance related to Legal Services.
- Provides legal assistance, opinions, and technical support for the Commissioner of Education, State Board of Education, and the Nebraska Department of Education (NDE).
- Collaborates with and advises agency leadership on significant issues and operations of the Legal Services Offices. Maintains an understanding of the programs, services, and operational functions of the NDE and appropriately implements policies, procedures, and guidelines.
- Prepares and reviews legal opinions, memoranda, contracts, findings of fact, conclusions of law, other legal documents, and information on facts and status of cases or other legal and administrative actions or issues.
- Interprets and provides guidance on policies, regulations, procedures, and standards, identifies potential problems, and formulates solutions.
- Directs legal research and case investigations to administer and enforce NDE statutory authority.
- Works collaboratively to complete annual and biennial budgets for the Office of Legal Services, and ensures the budget reflects major projects and initiatives, operational requirements, and changes in state and/or federal regulations.
- Provides leadership in the hiring, supervision, and potential discipline of staff in the Office of Legal Services. Conducts performance management activities including establishing annual goals related to the strategic plan, holding check-in meetings to discuss goal progress, and completing performance appraisals. Facilitates a continuous learning environment by promoting professional development to ensure all employees have the opportunity and skills to be efficient and effective in meeting the goals of the agency. Delegates work and projects appropriately among staff.
- Demonstrates commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive working and learning environment.
Working Conditions and Travel: This position requires approximately 75% of work time spent in an office environment; the remaining 25% is spent traveling or working in alternative sites such as meetings, conferences, or hearings. There is also approximately five to ten days of overnight travel per year.
Requirements / Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications: Juris Doctor from an accredited school of law, admission to practice law in Nebraska, and six years’ experience in the practice of law directly related to Agency programs, including, but not limited to, providing legal advice to clients, and preparing for and trying cases of general jurisprudence.
Preferred Qualifications: Experience with education and employment law in Nebraska and advising elected and appointed public bodies. Previous experience with supervision of other legal staff.
Benefits: We offer a comprehensive package of pay, benefits, paid time off, retirement and professional development opportunities to help you get the most out of your career and life. Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation.
Equal Opportunity Statement: The State of Nebraska values our teammates as well as a supportive environment that strives to promote diversity, inclusion, and belonging. We recruit, hire, train, and promote in all job classifications and at all levels without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, marital status or genetics.
Current employees of the State of Nebraska should NOT apply on this external career. Instead go to Workday and access the Jobs Hub - Internal Apply app from your home landing page.
Instructions for Applying:
Important points to remember when applying:
- The employment application is required and is the primary source of information used to determine if you meet the minimum requirements of the job.
- Make sure your application is complete. Incomplete applications are rejected.
- You will not be allowed to change your application after you have applied for a position and you cannot re-apply for the same position unless it is posted again.
- You have the opportunity to attach a resume; however, it should not be used to replace any information asked for on the official application.
- When you have successfully applied for a job, you will receive a confirmation on the screen and your application will be available on your Candidate Home page.
We encourage you to use the Search for Jobs feature to find jobs that are available in a particular location or a job that matches your work experience.
Applicants who need accommodation in the selection process should request this in advance. Requests can be made by contacting the Nebraska State Personnel Office 1526 K Street, Suite 100, Lincoln, NE. (402)471-2075.
These positions are subject to application of Veterans' Preference.
