General Counsel
The Ohio Education Association (OEA) is seeking a General Counsel to lead the Association’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives and provides advice...
The Ohio Education Association (OEA) is seeking a General Counsel to lead the Association’s strategic and tactical legal initiatives and provides advice to and representation of the Association, its affiliates, and its membership in legal matters, including both private and public sector labor law matters. The General Counsel provides effective advice on Association strategies and their implementation, manages the legal function, and obtains and oversees the work of outside counsel.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Provides legal representation and advice to the Association as assigned; provides legal advice and consultation to OEA Governance, staff, Association affiliates, and members.
• Participates in the definition and development of Association policies, procedures and programs and provides continuing counsel and guidance on legal matters and on legal implications of all matters.
• Serves as legal advisor on all major business transactions.
• Advises the Association regarding compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Keeps informed of the current state of the law in public and private sector labor law, school law and
civil service law and, in conjunction with the Assistant General Counsel, prepares and distributes
summaries of same.
• Assesses the merits of major court cases filed against or on behalf of the Association, works with
Association leadership and appropriate manager(s) to define a strategic defense and approve settlements of disputes where warranted. Defends the Association against suits/charges/claims, as assigned.
• Addresses organizational and staff issues in accordance with staff contracts, OEA policies, and the OEA’s core values.
• Serves as staff liaison to governance groups as assigned.
• Evaluates matters of national and state education policy for impact on the Association and reports to
management and governance as assigned.
• Acts as the legal representative of the Association on matters of employer-employee relations with its
staff unions, as assigned.
• In conjunction with other appropriate managers, reviews, develops a course of action with the
appropriate immediate supervisor, and maintains responsibility for management's position on all
grievances formally filed under existing labor agreements.
• Serves as the Executive Director’s designee in the administration of the staff union contracts, as
assigned.
• Serves as a member of the management bargaining team(s) for negotiations with staff union contracts,
as assigned.
• Selects, retains, manages and evaluates the work of outside counsel.
• Assists in the training of staff and local leaders.
• Prepares and maintains case files, timesheets, and other records and reports as needed.
• Recommends policy and procedural changes to the Executive Director.
• Supervises assigned staff in a collaborative team environment and leads the development, alignment,
and implementation of strategies to achieve departmental and cross-divisional operational priorities
and goals.
• Works in partnership with the Executive Management Team and other appropriate managers to
establish and implement short- and long-term plans consistent with OEA’s strategic and operational
priorities and promote integration of operations.
• In collaboration with the Assistant Executive Director - Business Services and Assistant General
Counsel, develops an annual budget for the Legal Department, monitors expenditures and adjusts expenditures to stay within budget.
Posting date: 11-21-2019 Posting closes: open until filled
• Performs other related duties as assigned by the Executive Director. QUALIFICATIONS
Education, Experience and Training:
• Must possess Juris Doctor Degree and be currently licensed to practice law in Ohio.
• At least 5 years’ work experience serving in a general counsel or related capacity.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in public and/or private sector labor law; Association experience
preferred.
• Successful management or supervisory experience.
• Experience working in a union environment and serving as the legal representative on matters of
employer-employee relations.
• Experience with cost effective management of outside legal resources.
Required Knowledge, Skills, Ability:
• Knowledge and experience in school law, civil service law and collective bargaining law.
• Ability to identify risks, propose alternative solutions to mitigate risks and manage complex issues.
• Excellent analytical research and documentation writing skills. Demonstrated ability to conduct legal
research effectively, using both print and electronic means, and to draft legal research memoranda
for Association distribution.
• Evidences of a commitment to excellence and continual improvement in all areas.
• Demonstrated ability to use independent judgment and discretion to formulate, interpret, implement,
compare, evaluate and recommend policies and course of action regarding all aspects of the
organization.
• Ability to provide leadership, take initiative and delegate appropriately while managing organizational
priorities.
• High ability to resolve complaints and recommend courses of action on the interpretation,
implementation and development of policies, procedures and union agreements.
• Familiarity with the collective bargaining process, strategies and concepts, labor relations and contract
administration.
• Ability to maintain utmost level of discretion, work independently and take initiative in a dynamic
environment.
• Ability to collaborate effectively, navigate conflict appropriately and build relationships internally and
externally.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing with diverse audiences.
• Commitment to union principles and values and ability to work in a unionized environment.
• Ability to work flexible hours and/or extended hours.
About OEA
The OEA represents more than 122,000 teachers, faculty members and support professionals who work in Ohio’s schools, colleges and universities to help improve public education and the lives of Ohio’s children. OEA members provide a wide range of professional education services in communities throughout the state.
Our members teach in kindergarten classrooms, high school labs and university halls. They counsel adolescents and help students carve out career aspirations. We coach athletes and transport students to and from the schools and extra-curricular events. We provide professional services to benefit students, schools and the public in virtually every position needed to run Ohio’s schools.
Posting date: 11-21-2019 Posting closes: open until filled
OEA members are dedicated to children and public education. OEA’s mission is to lead the way for the continuous improvement of public education while advocating for our members and the students we serve. We always have, and always will, work to that end. Through OEA’s more than 150-year history OEA members have been involved in every struggle and effort to advance the finest of America’s dreams: a quality public education for every child.
OEA has been working to make schools better and improve public education since 1847.
AUTHORITY AND RELATIONSHIPS
The General Counsel serves as a member of the Executive Management Team, reports to the Executive Director, and acts on behalf of the Executive Director to convene meetings, request progress reports and information, and facilitate the assignment of responsibilities and tasks to ensure the delivery of high quality programs and support to the OEA and its affiliates. The General Counsel supervises management staff of the Legal department and the daily operations of staff and others as required.
BENEFITS OVERVIEW AND APPLICATION INFORMATION
This position is exempt from the bargaining unit. Salary is commensurate with experience. Fringe benefits include paid vacation, sick leave, health insurance, paid holidays and retirement plans, including 401 (k).
For consideration, please submit a letter of interest and resume to OEA Human Resources by clicking Apply to this Job below.
The OEA is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Below are some other jobs we think you might be interested in.
-
Assistant General Counsel I/II
- Portland General Electric
- Portland, OR
Mar 24 -
General Counsel
- Washington State Bar Association
- Seattle, WA
Mar 22 -
General Counsel
- TCB
- Boston, MA
- Hybrid
Mar 13 -
General Counsel
- ETS
- Washington, D.C.
Mar 11 -
General Counsel
- Lane Construction
- Charlotte, NC
Mar 19 -
General Counsel
- FYZICAL Therapy & Balance Centers
- Sarasota, FL
Mar 05 -
General Counsel
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- Boston, MA
Mar 18 -
General Counsel
- Division of Human Rights - New York State
- New York, NY
Mar 24 -
General Counsel
- Sarah Lawrence College
- Bronxville, NY
Mar 03 -
General Counsel
- IIA
- Lake Mary, FL
Mar 02 -
General Counsel
- Bolthouse Fresh Foods
- Bakersfield, CA
Mar 07 -
General Counsel
- Emory University
- Atlanta, GA
Mar 13 -
General Counsel
- TNTP
- TELECOMMUTE
- Remote
Mar 21 -
General Counsel
- PSI Services, LLC
- Kansas City, MO
- Remote
Mar 14 -
General Counsel
- 3Z Brands
- Phoenix, AZ
Feb 28 -
General Counsel
- Fusco Corporation
- Miami, FL
- Hybrid
Mar 16 -
General Counsel
- IIA
- Orlando, FL
Mar 07 -
General Counsel
- Infinitum
- Austin, TX
Mar 07 -
General Counsel
- Fusco Corporation
- New Haven, CT
- Hybrid
Mar 16 -
General Counsel
- The New Teacher Project
- TELECOMMUTE
- Remote
Mar 28