Director of Legal & Policy Services

Position Overview:

The Arizona School Boards Association seeks a Director of Legal and Policy Services to contribute to ASBA’s mission of cultivating excellence in locally governed school districts.

The director reports to the executive director, is an integral member of the senior leadership team and works in a cross-functional environment with other members of ASBA’s mission-driven professional staff. The director will contribute to the success of the association and its member boards by:

• Guiding and managing the association’s Policy Services and Legal Services functions
• Managing internal legal matters and 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) compliance activities Other related duties may be assigned. Frequent in-state travel is required.

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Duties and responsibilities include:

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Policy Services-

• Monitor state and federal law and regulations, attorney general opinions and court decisions that impact school district operations and school board governance for policy implications.
• Guide development and ensure accuracy and timely delivery of compliance-based model policies, including advisories and alerts, for school district and charter school subscribers.
• Manage internal processes and systems for reviewing, updating and hosting district policy, including the web-based PolicyBridge platform. (Serve as the liaison with the PolicyBridge software provider.)
• Identify and develop business opportunities to expand policy-related services revenues. (Grow employee handbook offering.) (Assess fee structure for PolicyBridge subscription services and recommend changes.)
• Regularly assess member needs for non-compliance-based policy and develop and implement strategies to support them.
• Maintain high standards of customer support and service.
• Provide member education through individual consultation, group professional development and other means, including articles and memoranda, as necessary and appropriate. (Develop training opportunities for PolicyBridge users.)
• Participate in the association in the American Association of State Policy Services.
• Manage policy services team by providing direction, leadership, performance objectives and assessments, and developing and encouraging professional growth opportunities.

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Legal Services-

• Regularly consult with and advise the director of governmental relations on legal implications and policy issues related to proposed legislation or regulatory action.
• Explore and guide legal advocacy, including litigation and regulatory action, aligned with the association’s Political Agenda at the direction of the executive director and in concert with the director of governmental relations.
• Testify before legislative and rule-making bodies as needed.
• Develop and present educational content to members as part of the association’s regular professional development program and activities and other means, including articles and memoranda, as necessary and appropriate.
• Advise the executive director on legal challenges to the association’s legislative and legal advocacy and policy services, as well as 501(c)(3) status.
• Serve as liaison with national Council of School Attorneys (COSA) and local council of school attorneys (ACOSA)
• Develop and maintain a network of attorneys and other legal experts who specialize in school law and litigation pertaining to K-12 public policy issues. (Create associations of trust and respect with key stakeholders.)

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Internal Legal Matters-

• Manage internal legal matters, such as tenant rental agreements and service provider contracts.
• Carry out legal compliance activities to maintain the ASBA’s status as a 501(c)(3) organization, including corporate filings such as annual reports and property tax exemptions, consulting with outside counsel as necessary.
• Carry out legal compliance activities to maintain the Friends of ASBA’s status as a 501(c)(4) organization, including corporate filings such as annual reports and property tax exemptions, consulting with outside counsel as necessary.
• Monitor and advise on association activities to ensure compliance with ARS 15-511.
• Maintain and advise the executive director on ASBA governance documents, including the association bylaws and internal policies, and participate in association activities in which such advice is necessary. (Ex: Governance Committee, Delegate Assembly, Annual Membership Meeting)
• Maintain and advise the executive director on Friends of ASBA governance documents, including bylaws, and participate in activities, such as board of directors’ meetings, in which such advice is necessary.

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The preferred candidate's education and experience-

• Attorney (Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school)
• State bar admission
• A minimum of seven years of experience in the practice of Arizona school law
• A minimum of seven years of experience in the review, interpretation and implementation of Arizona school district policy
• A minimum of five years of experience in a leadership role, including developing and managing a staff team
• Experience working with diverse communities
• Must agree to undergo a background check and obtain a fingerprint clearance card

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The preferred candidate's knowledge-

• Expertise in school law
• Knowledge of the role school district governing boards play in the operation of a school district
• Knowledge of legal processes
• Knowledge of state and federal legislative processes
• Knowledge of regulatory bodies related to K-12 education Knowledge of state and federal education policy issues

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The preferred candidate's personal and professional characteristics-

• A passion for public education
• Innovative and technologically astute
• Collaborative decision-maker
• Excellent research, verbal and written communication skills
• Problem solver
• Strong organizational, time management, communication and interpersonal skills
• Proficient understanding of business sensitivities and confidentiality
• Models professionalism and collegiality (Be a positive collaborative team player that sets the tone of everyone else to do their best work)
• Ability to develop strong relationships across ASBA, with other non-profits and umbrella organizations

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In addition, the preferred candidate will have an interest in, appreciation of and respect for the diversity of our state and its residents and demonstrate the highest levels of professional integrity.

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About the Arizona School Boards Association:

The Arizona School Boards Association works toward the best schools in every community by cultivating excellence in locally governed school boards. We are a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, the members of which are the governing boards of Arizona’s public schools. ASBA provides training and information to governing board members, school administrators and other education leaders on leadership, governance and issues related to public education; represents its members’ interests through leadership and advocacy on state and federal legislative, policy and legal issues; offers subscriptions to model policies and support with policy adoption and updates; and offers superintendent search services.

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Salary & Benefits-

The annual salary range for this position is $150,000 – $160,000. ASBA also offers generous PTO, a retirement plan contribution, and employee paid health insurance.

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To Apply-

Interested applicants should contact Ellen White, ASBA Active Executive Director & ASBA Director of Business and Conference Services, at ewhite@azsba.org. Review of resumes will begin immediately.