Staff Attorney - Advocacy Center

About North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE):

The North Carolina Association of Educators is the state’s largest advocacy organization for public school employees and represents active, retired, and student members. We are building a movement to defend and transform public education in our state. In the last three years, we have led the largest educator mobilization in state history and mobilized thousands of voters across the state to the polls as part of our successful campaign to halt the privatizer-controlled General Assembly’s eight-year legislative assault on our educators, students, and communities. In that same time, several of our locals have also fought for and won historic pay increases for custodians and other staff, secured #shotsforsafereturn for their staff and harnessed the momentum from those wins to propel themselves into ranking among the fastest-growing National Education Association affiliates in the country.

We are on the cusp of restoring North Carolina as a national leader in education policy and are making moves from the Sandhills to the mountains to win the schools our students deserve.

THE POSITION:

The NCAE currently has a job opening for a Staff Attorney in the Advocacy Center. The employee in this position, working under the general direction of the Lead Counsel and the Executive Director, will help the Association achieve its mission by performing highly responsible legal work for the association. The employee will also serve as an active participant on the Advocacy Center team.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS

1. Represent members in employment disputes, as assigned, generally within the confines of the headquarters office.
2. Advocate for and protect associational rights for members, locals and NCAE, as assigned.
3. Represent members in certification matters pending before the State Board of Education and the State Office of Administrative Hearings, as assigned.
4. Provide legal advice to members in employment matters.
5. Provide legal advice to staff and NCAE, when requested.
6. Manage and monitor financial matters related to assignments.
7. Contribute as an Advocacy Center team member and maintain confidentiality of all information and in all assigned tasks.
8. Provide analysis of existing and potential legislation and state policies.
9. Perform such other reasonable duties as assigned, including, but not limited to, routine administrative tasks such as completing and submitting vouchers, activity reports and leave requests.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

1. Understanding of and commitment to NCAE Mission and Vision Statement.
2. Proficient writing skills and thorough knowledge of pertinent literature-search methodologies and techniques to develop comprehensive position and information papers and reports.
3. High degree of analytical and consulting skills to identify issues and to interpret policies as well as knowledge and sensitivity to political issues.
4. In-depth knowledge of the North Carolina Public School Law and/or Federal and State constitutional law, school law, civil rights law, and labor law particularly related to school employee rights.
5. Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing. Professional phone, listening, and email skills and etiquette; the ability to communicate sensitive information to people with whom there is no physical rapport; the ability to resolve complicated issues without making a personal appearance; and the ability to be patient with members experiencing a high degree of stress.
6. Ability to effectively interpret Association policies, positions and programs to leaders, members, potential members, staff, and the general public.
7. Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with others.
8. Knowledge of training principles and techniques especially for adult learners and the ability to prepare and present training for staff and members.
9. Comprehensive skills necessary to develop and present testimony, speeches, papers, and other materials to a wide variety of audiences.
10. Ability to respond effectively to the most sensitive inquiries or complaints and adhere to sensitive timelines.
11. Extensive computer and telecommunications (email) skills.
12. The ability to seek accurate answers and creative resolutions for members and to effectively negotiate and apply conflict resolution techniques.
13. Working knowledge of NCAE/NEA programs and objectives.
14. Knowledge of program planning, development, implementation, and evaluation.
15. Knowledge of NCAE governance, administration policy procedures, bargaining unit contracts as well as NEA policies/positions.
16. Ability to handle sensitive, confidential information.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

1. Licensed to practice law in the State of North Carolina
2. OTHER: Willingness to travel, valid North Carolina Driver’s License (or ability to obtain one).

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

3. EXPERIENCE: Experience in state association work preferred. Experience in litigation.
4. EDUCATION: Specific legal course work and/or related experience and training in public employee and labor law, employment law, constitutional law, and North Carolina public school law.

OTHER INFORMATION

1. SUPERVISORY: The employee works under the general direction of the Lead Counsel or their designee and the Executive Director. The employee is expected to work independently with minimum supervision in handling complex and new problems, utilizing initiative, creativity and sound professional judgment.
2. WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS: Work will be performed in a variety of settings including office, schools, classrooms, and training facilities, sometimes in front of large or small groups and sometimes alone. Some travel is involved.

LOCATION: HQ in Raleigh

SALARY: Commensurate with background and experience.

BENEFITS:

• • Medical, dental and vision coverage available
  • Employer provided FSA/HRA monies.
  • Cell phone and internet reimbursement
  • Mileage reimbursement for work-related travel
  • 401k Plan
  • Pension Plan
  • Paid holidays, employer paid life and LTD coverage, voluntary life insurance.
  • A generous personal, sick, and annual leave policy, and more

PLEASE SEND LETTER OF INTEREST, RESUME AND REFERENCES TO NCAE LEAD COUNSEL VIA THE LINK BELOW:

https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=59fc7f5 2-c895-4bef-90c4-acedc2089c6b&ccId=19000101_000001&type=JS&lang=en_US

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION IS SEPTEMBER 10, 2023

NCAE is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a protected.

Current and former/retired NCAE members and applicants committed to a strong public educators’ association who meet many, but not all, of the qualifications are encouraged to apply.

Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process, please call Angela Schell in Human Resources @ 919-755-5541.