Research and Policy Senior Director of Governance & Legal Support
Job Description
Reports To: Executire Director
Job Type: Full Time, Exempt
Closing: Open Until Filled
Salary Range: Starting at $7,916.67 – $9,583.33 (monthly). Commensurate with experience.
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 20,000 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.
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Please note: Applications will be reviewed as they are received. This position is non-classified and is not subject to appeal rights.
POSITION SUMMARY
The Senior Director of Governance and Legal Support is primarily responsible for monitoring and ensuring CSI Board and CSI School Board compliance with relevant rules, regulations, laws, policies and best practice, reviewing and providing feedback on CSI School Board materials, and providing ongoing training and supports to CSI School Boards. The Director of Governance and Legal Support also oversees the charter contract drafting and negotiation process.
Please see below for a complete position description:
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
LEADERSHIP TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES (60%)
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.
- Set the vision and direction for the department that aligns with, and advances, broader strategic objectives.
- Ensure work and decisions align with national best practices to maintain high standards for charter schools, uphold school autonomy, and protect student and public interests.
- Collaborate to ensure coordination and alignment of work across departments, effective allocation of resources, opportunities to learn from the in-depth work of the team and inform broader organizational initiatives.
- Regularly engage with and report to the CSI Board and Board committees.
- Regularly engage and represent CSI with a variety of audiences, including schools, school leaders, school boards, the CSI Board, Colorado Department of Education, other charter authorizers, charter school support organizations and decision makers in public and high-stakes settings.
- Build community internally and in partnership with schools that promotes trusting relationships, engagement across differences, inclusion, and a sense of belonging, and demonstrates a commitment to equitable policies and practices.
- Oversee and monitor compliance with state and federal statutory requirements and regulations by providing professional development, coaching, and technical assistance for schools.
- Contribute to the development of contract conditions and milestones, risk assessments, and staff reports for recommendation to the Executive Director.
- Oversee the development and monitoring of the departmental budget.
ROLE-SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES
Accountability (20%)
- Oversee the charter contract drafting and negotiation process, including contract amendments, as applicable.
- Oversee the review of charter school waiver requests, replacement plans, and process for submitting to CDE.
- Review and provide feedback on school contract conditions and milestones especially as they relate to school board requirements. Review and provide feedback on policy submissions, as needed.
- Provide intervention support and monitoring in response to situations of extreme non-compliance or emergencies, in coordination with legal counsel and CSI staff.
- Provide support for ongoing monitoring of CSI school compliance with relevant rules, regulations, laws and policies.
- Field 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.
- Conduct annual audits as they relate to school board requirements.
- Provide support related to school revocation and closure procedures and policies, as needed.
- Collaborate with the Attorney General’s Office on all relevant legal analyses.
- Act as the Title VII, Title IX, Age Discrimination Coordinator for CSI.
Governance Training, Support, and Resource Development (15%)
- In collaboration with CSI staff, develop resources that support strong governing board practices (including written guidance, sample policies, board newsletter content, etc.), conduct related trainings for school leadership, monitor board compliance, and provide on-site support to school leadership, as needed.
- Provide school training on and technical assistance with federal and state statutory, regulatory, and contractual requirements.
- Monitor and inform CSI Board, and school boards of legal, regulatory, and policy changes as well as relevant implications. Provide formal guidance to school boards, as needed.
- Provide support for CSI staff in understanding and interpreting relevant legal and regulatory requirements related to their specialty area.
CSI Board Supports (5%)
- Monitor and ensure CSI Board compliance with CSI Board Policies and Procedures, relevant rules, regulations, laws, policies, and best practice, in collaboration with the CSI Board Liaison as necessary.
- Draft relevant resolutions and documentation for CSI Board consideration in collaboration with the CSI Board Liaison and other staff as necessary.
- Implement a process for conducting regular reviews of existing CSI Board policies as well as drafting new and revising existing policies as necessary.
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 and vision insurance, paid holidays, paid vacation and sick time, flexible scheduling, a work-life balance culture, no-cost life and disability insurance (with additional paid options), Flex Spending and Health Savings Account options, professional development opportunities, wellness offerings, a performance based bonus and membership in Colorado Public Employees’ Retirement Association (PERA).
CSI INCLUSION STATEMENT
CSI recognizes that autonomy and diversity can drive innovation and improved outcomes, both in our schools and in our organization. We are committed to a diverse and culturally inclusive workplace as we believe that differences in perspective and experiences broaden our awareness, enrich our daily experiences, and contribute to our collective strength.
As a charter school authorizer with schools that serve a wide range of communities across the state, we prioritize recruiting a staff that shares the diversity of the students and communities our schools serve. CSI is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on gender, race, color, religion or belief, national origin, age, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected class.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
At a minimum, we are looking for the following:
- Bachelor’s degree.
- 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.
- Professional written and verbal communication skills.
- Self-motivated.
- Strong time-management skills.
- Detail-oriented with demonstrated ability to follow-through on projects.
- Strong interpersonal skills and ability to handle conflicts in a respectful and effective manner.
- All final candidates must successfully pass a thorough criminal background check.
Ideal candidates will have some, or all, of the following education, skills, and abilities:
- Juris Doctor or Master’s degree in public policy, law, or related field is preferred but all candidates with relevant work experience will be considered.
- Ability to evaluate complex legal issues and provide clear and concise guidance to non-lawyers on such issues.
- Experience drafting clear and concise policies that meet federal and state requirements.
- Experience with school operations and compliance, specifically as it relates to school boards.
- Experience developing and implementing training resources and procedures.
- Experience resolving conflicts and fielding complaints.
- Forward-thinker who can identify potential issues before they become problematic.
- Experience working with charter schools in Colorado.
LOCATION & TRAVEL
Must be a resident of Colorado. Some within state travel is required. Telecommute Flexibility is available.
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 includes 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.
