Associate General Counsel

Job Description

Job DescriptionAssociate General CounselJob Summary
KIPP DC is seeking a dynamic and experienced Associate General Counsel to join the Office of General Counsel. The Associate General Counsel role is an integral part of the legal team, providing legal representation and advice in a variety of areas including labor & employment, contracts, and civil litigation. This position offers a unique opportunity to work within a mission-driven organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of students in the District of Columbia. The starting salary range for this role is $137,746-$152,245. This is a full-time role with hybrid flexibility based at KIPP DC Headquarters and campuses with an anticipated start date of Fall 2025.

About KIPP DC Public Schools
By 2025, KIPP DC will build upon two decades of proven results to develop into a more impactful, innovative, and inclusive school system that provides joyful, identity-affirming learning experiences so that all students and alumni achieve extraordinary outcomes.

Our work is grounded in a commitment to excellence, equity, and justice. We believe all students have the right to rigorous, relevant, and joyful learning experiences led by exceptionally talented and diverse educators who promote student achievement and a sense of belonging. We believe students and teachers best succeed when surrounded by an ecosystem of supports, including our central headquarters team that supports KIPP DC’s 20 schools, 7,300 students, and 1,300 teachers, leaders, and staff members dedicated to this mission.

About the Associate General Counsel Role
The Associate General Counsel provides legal representation and advice in labor & employment, contracts, and civil litigation. Reporting to the General Counsel, this role focuses on employment and labor law, advising Human Resources, ensuring compliance, mitigating risk, and supporting KIPP DC's mission. The Associate General Counsel will be the primary legal advisor on employment law matters.

In this role, this position must also ensure adherence to established internal control policies and procedures and maintain compliance within the organization. This is an exempt position and will report to the General Counsel.

Location and Type of Work
As a headquarters team that is focused on being responsive to our schools and meeting the needs of our students and families, we approach our work in a way that reflects these priorities. This position will generally work independently and not regularly interface with students, families, or school teams. This position will primarily work from our headquarters office to maintain a connection to their colleagues and foster a sense of cross-functional collaboration. Because of the nature of this position’s work, this role allows for hybrid flexibility and will be required to be onsite 2 days per week.

Key Responsibilities
The percentages for each key responsibility are estimates. Flexibility and responsiveness are encouraged to accommodate organizational needs.

Legal Support on Employee Relations (50% of time)

• Provide legal guidance to HR on complex employee relations matters, including discipline, performance management, accommodations, and separations.
• Review and advise on documentation related to terminations, performance improvement plans, and other employment actions to ensure legal compliance and consistency.
• Assess and advise on risk related to employee complaints, including those involving alleged discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or other protected activity.
• Serve as the legal advisor on workplace investigations, including reviewing investigation plans, findings, and recommendations, and ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards.

Employment Law Compliance (25% of the time)

• Monitor changes in federal, state, and local employment laws and regulations; ensure compliance through timely updates to policies and procedures.
• Draft, review, and update employee handbooks, employment policies, and related templates in collaboration with HR and organizational leadership.
• Provide legal training to HR staff, managers, and other stakeholders on employment law topics (e.g., anti-discrimination laws, leave laws, performance documentation, investigations).
• Advise on matters related to wage and hour compliance, FMLA, ADA, FLSA, Title VII, and other applicable employment laws

Workforce Strategy and Risk Mitigation (5% of the time)

• Serve as a strategic thought partner to HR and leadership on workforce issues, including reorganizations, labor strategy, and employment-related aspects of mergers or restructuring.
  Support labor law compliance and employee classification reviews, including guidance on independent contractor status and exempt/non-exempt determinations.
• Participate in cross-functional working groups or initiatives where employment law issues intersect with other legal areas (e.g., data privacy, safety, governance).

Litigation & Dispute Management (10% of the time)

• Manage and respond to employment-related claims, demand letters, administrative complaints (e.g., EEOC, DCOHR), and litigation, in partnership with outside counsel as needed.
• Assist in the preparation of responses to subpoenas and other legal requests related to personnel matters.
• Oversee outside counsel in employment-related litigation, ensuring alignment with organizational values and priorities.
• Conduct legal research, draft legal documents, and provide support for litigation preparation.
• Assist in the development and implementation of strategies to mitigate legal risks and resolve disputes effectively.

Contracts Review and Support (10% of the time)

• Provide legal counsel and support for KIPP DC's contracting and procurement activities, including contract review, negotiation, and legal compliance.
• Ensure that contracts adhere to KIPP DC policies, legal requirements and best practices.
• Maintain a contract management system to track contract lifecycles, renewals, and obligations.
• Develop and update standard contract templates and clauses to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Advise on potential legal risks associated with proposed contracts and procurement activities.
• Assist in resolving contract disputes and negotiating settlements.
• Provide training to staff on contract-related policies and procedures.

​​​​​Requirements & Preferences:
Required Qualifications:

• Juris Doctor (JD)
• 4 years of experience in employment law practice
• Active member of a bar organization in good standing

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a fast-paced and diverse environment.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state special education laws, regulations, and procedural requirements.
• Experience working in or with schools/ school systems preferred
• Effective oral and written communication and advocacy abilities, with the capacity to interact with diverse stakeholders, including parents, educators, and administrative personnel.
• Excellent legal research, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Able to manage and supervise multiple cases effectively and independently.
• Strong ability to manage up and exercise judgment in difficult situations.
• A passion for being part of a team-oriented, mission-driven culture.
• Ability to constantly prioritize workflow and make hard trade-offs.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to travel across KIPP DC schools
• Flexibility to work outside normal business hours or weekends for KIPP DC event

Demonstrated Excellence in the Following Areas:

• Commitment to Students and Schools: Demonstrates commitment to education reform, believing in every child's potential for success and prioritizing students, schools, and the essential role of families.
• Commitment to Equity: Advances KIPP DC’s commitment to anti-racism by creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment for all stakeholders.
• Continuous Learning: Commits to continuous learning through feedback, self reflection, humility, and action.
• Collaboration: Establishes and nurtures effective relationships with a diverse set of stakeholders to support the best outcomes for our work.
• Perseverance: Persists in the face of challenges, obstacles, and setbacks. Maintains focus and motivation over time, even when progress seems slow or difficult.
• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving: Shows initiative in generating ideas and solutions; solves problems and achieves results beyond what is expected.
• Organization: Sets a high bar for own work, has excellent time management skills and is dedicated to getting the job done.

Compensation and Benefits: KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $137,746-$152,245. At KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. When determining salaries we look at benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector.
• KIPP DC offers a robust benefits package including medical, dental, and vision insurances; various voluntary benefits; and employer paid benefits such as short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, and a membership to One Medical.
• KIPP DC also offers a 403(b) retirement account with a 3% employer contribution and a 3% match with vesting after three years.
• Currently, individuals in this role have up to 15 paid time off days, up to 10 paid sick days, and 12 paid holidays. This is subject to change and your exact schedule will be shared in your offer letter.

Equal Employment Opportunity Employer

KIPP DC Public Schools does not discriminate against, or tolerate discrimination against, employees or applicants for employment on any legally-recognized basis or protected class including, but not limited to, actual or perceived race, color, national origin, immigration status (except as necessary to comply with federal, DC, state, or local law), religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender (including gender identity or expression), marital status (including domestic partnership status), genetic information, political affiliation, pregnancy, family responsibilities, personal appearance, veteran status, uniform service member status, status of being unemployed, status of victim a survivor of domestic violence, sexual offense or stalking, matriculation or any other protected class under federal, state, DC, or local law.

Click here or here to review KIPP DC’s non-discrimination policy and KIPP DC’s Title IX Coordinator’s contact information.

Please Note: If you encounter difficulties submitting your application or fail to receive a confirmation email after applying, kindly reach out to Danica Cunningham at danica.cunningham@kippdc.org. Please include your name, resume, and specify the role you are applying for in your email. We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience caused.

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