Research and Policy Legal and Policy Associate
Job Description
ORGANIZATION OVERVIEW
The Colorado Charter School Institute (CSI) is a statewide charter school authorizer whose mission is to foster high-quality public school choices offered through charter schools, particularly schools that are focused on closing the achievement gap for at-risk students. Governed by a board of nine members appointed by the Governor and Commissioner of Education, CSI currently serves a diverse portfolio of 40 schools across the state of Colorado serving over 18,000 PK-12 students. CSI is uniquely positioned to serve and promote charter school innovation in communities throughout Colorado and to be a leader in improvements in authorizer practices. CSI aspires to continue growing the quality and quantity of its portfolio of schools in Colorado in response to the need for high quality, innovative charter school options. Our organization is at an extraordinary point of opportunity and is poised to make additional systemic changes that will yield improvements within the portfolio’s overall student achievement.
DEPARTMENT: Legal and Policy
REPORTS TO: Director of Legal and Policy Initiatives (“DLPI”)
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Essential duties of this position include the following. Employees in this position perform some or all of the following tasks. Other duties may be assigned. Assignment of duties may depend upon the strengths of the person filling the position.
Assist the DLPI with:
Authorizing Functions:
- Reviewing charter school applications to determine whether an application meets minimum legal requirements, sets forth plans for a viable charter school, and is in the best interest of students.
- Drafting, negotiating, and overseeing the implementation of charter school contracts and amendments, including monitoring of contract conditions, milestones, and waiver replacement plans.
- Providing intervention support and monitoring in response to situations of extreme non-compliance or emergencies, in coordination with legal counsel and CSI staff.
- Monitoring and overseeing compliance with relevant rules, regulations, laws and policies, including revising CSI policies as necessary.
- Monitoring and overseeing compliance with laws, rules, and policies, including revising CSI policies as necessary.
- Annually reviewing various policies and practices of CSI Schools through the Organizational Submissions process to determine compliance and evaluate the School’s performance.
- Implementing the CSI Compliance Policy through issuance of written notices of noncompliance or implementation of another remedial action.
Legal and Policy Support
- Developing and expanding CSI’s legal and policy initiatives in alignment with CSI’s mission, vision, and strategic plan, including the identification, reduction, or elimination of requirements that are unnecessary, duplicative, or obsolete.
- Expanding CSI’s suite of legal and policy resources for CSI schools through the issuance of written guidance, sample policies, and trainings.
- Developing and managing new and updated CSI Board policies at the direction of Executive Director and DLPI.
- Monitoring the Colorado legislature and reporting on legal and policy developments as well as drafting policy documents to articulate the impact to CSI and to CSI-authorized schools.
- Researching legal and policy-related issues, including searching state and federal statutes, state and federal regulations, and State Board documents.
- Reviewing all proposed legislation and state board rules that may affect CSI Schools, and issuing guidance to CSI Schools on changes to state laws and regulations on at least an annual basis.
- Providing governance support and resources to the governing boards of CSI Schools.
Administrative
- Preparing resolutions, motions, and other documents needed for CSI Board meetings.
- Fielding parent or community complaints, respectfully and effectively communicating any complaints to the appropriate school-level individuals, and identifying any areas that require intervention by CSI.
- Coordinating Colorado Open Records Act request responses made to CSI.
- Managing the Legal and Policy compliance tracker.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to follow-through on projects
- Ability to evaluate complex legal issues and provide clear and concise guidance to non-lawyers on such issues
- Forward-thinker who has the ability to identify potential issues before they become problematic
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle conflicts in a respectful and effective manner
EXPERIENCE
- Minimum of 3 years work experience in education or related field
- Experience and familiarity with Colorado statutes, State Board of Education rules, and relevant policies associated with charter schools
- Experience developing and implementing training resources and procedures
- Experience resolving conflicts and fielding complaints
- Experience drafting clear and concise policies that meet federal and state requirements
- Experience with school operations and compliance
EDUCATION
- Master’s Degree in public policy, law, or related field is preferred but all candidates with relevant work experience will be considered. It is encouraged that all individuals with relevant work experience and who desire to grow in a legal and policy role apply.
JOB TYPE.
- This is a full time (1 Full-Time Equivalent) position.
SALARY RANGE
- Starting at $4,583-$5,416 per month. Commensurate with experience.
BENEFITS
As an employee of the Colorado Charter School Institute (State of Colorado), you will have access to a variety of benefits to include medical, dental, paid holidays, ample paid vacation and sick time, no-cost life and disability insurance (with additional paid options), Flex Spending and Health Savings Account options, and participation in the Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA).
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand, walk; sit; use hands for fine manipulation, handle or feel and reach with hands and arms using a keyboard and video display terminal. The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The work environment is a standard office setting. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.
NOTE
This is not necessarily an exhaustive or all-inclusive list of responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, efforts, functions or working conditions associated with the job. This job description is not a contract of employment or a promise or guarantee of any specific terms or conditions of employment. CSI may add to, modify or delete any aspect of this job (or the position itself) at any time as it deems advisable.
