Description

Under the direction of assigned Administrator, the Legal Support Specialist receives, records, processes and responds to requests for information including public records requests in compliance with applicable laws and District policies; conducts legal research and provides analysis to District leadership.  The Legal Support Specialist also assists the Administrator of a department in carrying out his or her functional responsibilities and relieves him or her of administrative detail.  

Requirements

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
Any combination of training, experience, and/or education equivalent to three years of recent legal secretarial or paralegal experience.  Completed coursework in paralegal studies and/or certificate from an accredited paralegal program is highly desirable.  Experience with a school district, county office, other governmental agency, or law firm is preferred.   

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

The position may perform any combination of the following:

        Provides expedient, efficient, and concise response to requests for information orally or in writing.

        Reviews documents proposed to be produced in response to Public Records Act requests and redacts confidential information to ensure compliance with District policies and applicable laws including, the California Government Code, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and to protect student, parent and district employees' rights to confidentiality.

        Coordinates the collection of documents with district departments and redacts confidential information.

        Ensures the timely posting of released documents to the requestor and appropriate parties.

        Researches, interprets, and explains legal requirements, makes recommendations, and suggests problem-solving strategies to district administration on complex matters.

        Analyzes complex legal resources to make recommendations to district administrators.

        Performs legal administrative functions, including providing legal resources and research support to district to ensure compliance with public records act requests, personnel issues, other assigned responsibilities, and generally coordinating legal services.

        Plans, coordinates, and organizes activities in collaboration with district subject matter experts and administrators for the preparation and adoption of policies and administrative regulations to ensure compliance with state and federal laws and regulations.

        Researches, investigates, and develops cases, in a variety of areas including employee disciplines, grievances, PERB Complaints, Title IX Complaints, Uniform Complaints and other litigation matters; interviews witnesses and assists with hearings.

        Assists the assigned administrator in carrying out his or her functional responsibilities.

        Relieves the administrator of routine administrative detail.

        Communicates information and instructions on behalf of the administrator.  

        Receives, screens and processes visitors, telephone calls, and mail.  

        Provides information and directs inquiries to appropriate staff.

        Evaluates situations and determines appropriate action to take.

        Composes written communications under the direction of Supervisor.

        Coordinates activities such as events, meetings, and schedules.

        Takes meeting minutes and prepares agendas.  

        Other related duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE OF:

        Pertinent laws, codes, policies, and/or regulations including the California Education Code, California Public Records Act, Public Employees Relations Act, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.

        Legal concepts, terminology and principles. 

        Legal research sources and methods.

        Correct English usage, grammar, spelling, punctuation and vocabulary.

        Oral and written communication skills.

        District policies and regulations related to assigned program activities.

        Interpersonal skills using professionalism, tact, patience and courtesy.

        Proper methods of document storage and retrieval systems.

        Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers and computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, calendars, and statistical databases.