Legal Counsel - Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services

Job Location: This position will be located at 3024 Dupont Circle, Jefferson St., Jefferson City, MO 65109.

Why you’ll love this position:

As a member of the Chief Counsel’s team, you will be acting as legal counsel to the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services (OALRS). OALRS administers statewide adult learning and rehabilitation services. Adult Learning Services includes Veterans’ Education and Training. Veterans’ Education and Training approves postsecondary schools for GI Bill benefits and on-the-job training locations.

Rehabilitation Services has three core programs: Vocational Rehabilitation (VR), Disability Determination Services (DDS) and Independent Living (IL). VR provides individual counseling, training and other services to help individuals with disabilities obtain and maintain employment. Operating under Social Security regulations, DDS determines medical eligibility for individuals seeking federal disability benefits. The IL program has 22 Independent Living Centers statewide that offer peer counseling, advocacy, personal care, and training in independent living skills for individuals with disabilities. Centers are funded through VR grants but managed by local boards of individuals with disabilities.

What you’ll do:

• Provide legal counsel to the Office of Adult Learning and Rehabilitation Services (OALRS) in connection with the development and/or implementation of education and rehabilitation laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Advise the OALRS Assistant Commissioner and other relevant staff on OALRS employment practices and procedures, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, the Family Medical Leave Act, adult education law and policy, vendor contracts and agreements, and client responses involving questions of law.
• Provide litigation support for OALRS and act as liaison between the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (Department) and the Office of Attorney General.
• Assist in the development, writing and review of contracts, agreements, rulemaking, policies, and procedures for every section within OALRS, and for other Department offices as requested.
• Manage and coordinate Sunshine Law requests and other record requests for OALRS programs, including email and record searches, tracking, meeting deadlines, and providing counsel to program staff on providing responsive documents.
• Perform legal research in all areas described above, and other areas as requested.
• Participate in staff trainings, particularly in the area of rehabilitation law.
• Assist in the research, writing, editing, and coordination of the administrative rule process for OALRS, and other areas of the Department.
• Full job description available upon request.

All you need for success:

Minimum Qualifications

• Juris Doctorate from an ABA approved law school.
• Member of the Missouri Bar in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Background in education law and/or administrative law preferred.

More reasons to love this position:

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

If you have questions about this position please contact: hr@dese.mo.gov

Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer: Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is an Equal Opportunity Employer. If you have special needs addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), please contact Human Resources at (573) 751-9619, through Missouri Relay System at (800) 735-2966, or via email at hr@dese.mo.gov.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, age, veteran status, mental or physical disability, or any other basis prohibited by statute in its programs and activities. Inquiries related to Department employment practices may be directed to the Jefferson State Office Building, Human Resources Director, 8th floor, 205 Jefferson Street, P.O. Box 480, Jefferson City, Missouri 65102-0480; telephone number 573-751-9619 or TYY 800-735-2966.

To Our Applicants with Disabilities: For assistance with any phase of the Department process, please notify the Director of Human Resources at (573) 751-9619. Reasonable attempts will be made to accommodate special needs. TTY/TDD Relay Missouri service (800) 735-2966.

Notice to Applicants: The Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education is unable to sponsor applicants in their application for work visas through INS. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources.

The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.