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Staff Attorney

Polk County Public Schools • Bartow, FL • 1d ago

Staff Attorney

Job Location (Short): Bartow, FL, USA, 33830

Status: Open

Posting End Date:

Salary Grade: SG22

Note:

This posting will close at 4pm on 08/25/2026.

Position Title

Staff Attorney

Custom Job Purpose

Provide legal services and guidance to the Superintendent and District administration. Review and negotiate contracts relating to District operations, including real estate, intellectual property, litigation, employment, delivery of ancillary services, and third-party agreements.

Provide legal counsel and strategic support to the Superintendent and District leadership regarding legislative affairs; coordinate with the District's state and federal legislative consultants and lobbyists; monitor proposed legislation and administrative rulemaking; prepare legal analyses and legislative position papers; and assist in the development, legal review, implementation, interpretation, and administration of School Board policies and administrative procedures.

Essential Functions of this Job

Advise the Superintendent and District staff on all legal matters affecting the District.

Represent, or provide for the representation of, the Superintendent and, when appropriate, staff in litigation, administrative proceedings, arbitrations, mediations, and other proceedings.

Coordinate with the School Board Attorney regarding legal matters related to the School Board/School District.

Conduct and oversee legal research, prepare and render legal opinions, and answer legal questions as requested by the Superintendent and District staff.

Develop and maintain template documents and assist staff in preparing contracts, agreements, memorandums of understanding, and other legal documents.

In the absence of the School Board Attorney, serve as parliamentarian at School Board meetings and legal advisor during quasi-judicial hearings.

Coordinate in-service legal training for District personnel.

Undertake proactive action to protect the District from exposure to litigation and other risks.

Counsel executives and administrators in all operational divisions.

Serve as the District Title IX Coordinator.

Assist in negotiations for collective bargaining.

Conduct frequent and systematic reviews of current and proposed federal laws, regulations, and state statutes and rules as they relate to the operation of the District.

Review and assist in recommending appropriate changes to policies, contracts, and procedures to ensure compliance with applicable laws.

Procure and coordinate outside legal services as necessary.

Review legal bills and departmental budget.

Provide quarterly and annual litigation reports.

Attend staff meetings and conferences.

Promote student achievement and maintain positive communications.

Support retention of employees and continuous improvement.

Monitor proposed state and federal legislation, administrative rules, and regulatory actions affecting public education and advise the Superintendent and executive leadership regarding legal, fiscal, operational, and educational impacts.

Serve as the primary legal liaison to the District's state and federal legislative consultants and advocacy organizations; assist in developing the District's legislative platform; prepare legislative analyses, bill summaries, testimony, briefing documents, and legal opinions related to proposed legislation.

Coordinate the legal review, drafting, revision, interpretation, and implementation of School Board policies and administrative procedures to ensure compliance with federal law, Florida Statutes, State Board of Education Rules, and School Board direction.

Provide legal support to the School Board policy development process, including researching best practices, preparing policy revisions, coordinating stakeholder review, and presenting legal recommendations to the Superintendent and School Board.

Essential Functions of this Job (cont.)

Non-Essential Functions of this Job

Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Doctor of Jurisprudence from an accredited law school. Member in good standing of The Florida Bar. Admitted or eligible for admission to the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida and the Eleventh Circuit. Knowledgeable of school law, negotiations, contract review, and the legislative process.

Demonstrated experience with governmental affairs, legislative analysis, School Board policy development, or public sector governance is preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to public education, Sunshine Laws, public meetings and public records laws, and the ability to represent the Superintendent and District in proceedings.

Knowledge of Florida's legislative process, state and federal governmental affairs, Board governance, Board policy development, and administrative rulemaking. Ability to analyze proposed legislation, communicate legal impacts to executive leadership, draft Board policies and legislative position statements, and coordinate policy implementation across District departments.

Work Context

Requires some sitting and standing, walking and moving about to coordinate work. Requires the use of alternative communication systems, such as electronic mail, telephones and computers. Requires coordination of work tasks to establish priorities, set goals and meet deadlines. Requires face-to-face discussions and contact with individuals and/or teams. Requires work with internal and external contacts, and with the public. Requires travel to various offices and facilities within the district.

Physical Environment

Light work. Position requires exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or up to 10 pounds of force frequently, and/or a negligible amount of force constantly to move objects.

Collective Bargaining Agreement

1 - Non-Union - G1 - Board Members/Attorneys

Salary Grade

SG22

Pay Grade

N/A

FLSA Status

Exempt

Local Code

10370

EEO5

Approval Date

7/27/2021

Date Last Revised

08/04/2026

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