Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Jefferson City, Missouri

The Office of Special Education administers state and federal funds to support services for students and adults with disabilities.

This office also oversees the operation of three school systems administered by the State Board of Education.  These are the Missouri School for the Blind, the Missouri School for the Deaf and the Missouri Schools for Severely Disabled. Through their outreach programs and consulting services, these school systems assist local school personnel and families throughout the state in meeting the needs of children with disabilities. 


Job Number:  01-240723-04:  Legal Counsel - Office of Special Education


Company Name:  Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education


Salary: $88,440

Job Location: This position will be located at 205 Jefferson Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.


What you’ll do:
•Provide legal advice to the State Operate Programs regarding the interpretation and application of special education law, regulation, policy, and practices.
•Assist in the development of regulation and policy on behalf of the State Operated Programs.
•Provide litigation support for State Operated Programs and act as a liaison between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) and the Office Attorney General.
•Assist in the development, writing and review of contracts, agreements, and procedures for the State Operated Programs, and for other Department offices as requested.
•Manage and coordinate Sunshine Law and other record requests for the Office of Special Education programs, including email and record searches, tracking, meeting deadlines, and providing counsel to program staff on providing responsive documents.
•Assist in providing legal guidance in human resources questions.
•Develop and provide training to State Operated Program staff as needed.
•Coordinate with the Legal Counsel – Office of Special Education, Compliance on workload management and issues that impact the Office of Special Education as a whole.
•Assist the Department’s Chief Counsel and the Office of Special Education Assistant Commissioner by researching and responding to internal and external inquiries relating to case law, legislation, regulations, and federal and state statutes.
•Address and respond, or assist in preparing responses, to constituent and legal counsel questions regarding the Office of Special Education from legislators, legislative staff, other local and state officials, and legal counsel on behalf of clients.
•Assist in responding to Office of Civil Rights, Missouri Commission on Human Rights, and Equal Employment Opportunity Commission complaints against the Department.
•Provide legal support to the Office of the Chief Counsel.
•Serve as a hearing officer for the Department as designated by the Commissioner of Education.
•Perform other related work as assigned.
•Demonstrate regular, reliable, and engaged attendance.


Education & Experience Required:
•Juris Doctorate from an ABA approved law school.
•Member of the Missouri Bar in good standing.



Interested Parties/How to Apply:     

https://mocareers.mo.gov/hiretrue/ce3/job-board/5effe9b2-4b89-494b-ac76-c45e25190768/08f71646-3afd-4d08-a519-4141557cf36c?jb=1