Organization Overview

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.

Position Overview

The General Counsel is responsible for identifying, assessing, and controlling organizational risk by advising KIPP DC on a wide range of legal issues including, but not limited to, human resources and employment matters, contracts, governance, real estate, finance, tax, privacy, and other corporate issues.

The General Counsel works with all departments within the organization and attends all KIPP DC board meetings. The General Counsel also manages a multilayered team of individuals and oversees the team’s legal work involving employee policy, external policy, contracts, student policy and investigations. The General Counsel reports to the Chief Executive Officer.

Job Responsibilities

General Counsel responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Serve as KIPP DC’s primary legal counsel
  • Advise KIPP DC management and Board with respect to legal issues relating to the development and implementation of business strategy, governance and compliance policies, real estate matters, employment law matters, intellectual property issues, exempt organizations law, state and federal tax and corporate filings, public education and charter school law matters, conflict of interest policies, corporate structure and related retention of documents, risk assessment and management
  • Develop and deliver training for KIPP DC staff on a wide range of legal and policy issues to promote effective navigation of and compliance with federal and state laws and regulations
  • Provide counseling to KIPP DC on matters involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act
  • Oversee the legal review and negotiation of all KIPP DC contracts, and ensure compliance with all contractual requirements set by the District of Columbia Public Charter School Board (DC PCSB) and other relevant authorities
  • Help represent KIPP DC before governmental and municipal bodies
  • Manage all outside counsel

• Lead the legal team
  • Manage a multilayered team of approximately 10 people, including multiple practicing attorneys
  • Set annual vision and associated goals
  • Manage the legal team’s annual budget
  • Oversee regular team meetings and coordinate team to ensure consistent vision and progress
  • Grow future leaders by mentoring direct reports and providing meaningful feedback on a regular basis
  • Prioritize equity and inclusion in all areas of work
• Develop internal policies and procedures
  • Help develop policies and procedures for KIPP DC, in conjunction with departmental leaders. Relevant areas may include, but not be limited to, intellectual property, employment law matters, real estate law matters, and conflict of interest
  • Advise on risk management and insurance related strategies
• Advise on employment law matters and human resources issues
  • Oversee annual review of KIPP DC employee handbook
  • Manage employee relations team and provide legal counsel to HR staff on employment matters, including but limited to the hiring and termination of employees, performance issues, and employee discipline
• Support finance, development, and real estate functions
  • Help ensure compliance with all covenants and obligations set out existing financing agreements
  • Manage negotiations of all development-related contracts, letters of intent, use agreements, and memoranda of understanding
  • Ensure procurement compliance with all municipal, regulatory, and organizational requirements
  • Manage ongoing leases and property issues
  • Manage all matters relating to land use and zoning
  • Manage all legal-related financing matters
• Support KIPP DC Board of Directors
  • Serve as the Secretary in a non-voting capacity
  • Oversee, review, and ensure proper drafting of all materials reflecting board action (e.g. minutes, resolutions, etc.)
  • Provide counsel on the development of meeting agendas
  • Draft board policies and modifications of governance documents
  • Oversee the filing and retention of board documents
  • Provide counsel on Board actions and KIPP DC staff proposals for Board consideration
  • Ensure Board compliance with governance documents, and state and federal law
  • Serve as the staff lead for the Governance Committee
• Support schools
  • Represent interests of KIPP DC schools before any municipal or governmental bodies
  • Negotiate and draft charter applications and amendments as necessary
  • Advise along with Human Resources on employment matters (e.g., discipline and termination)
  • Provide counsel and management in matters relating to school crises; advise KIPP DC school leaders on student disciplinary actions, and as necessary, participate in disciplinary hearings
  • Provide ongoing legal counsel for emerging school leaders as they develop or assume management of KIPP schools
  • Draft and review contracts for teaching and school management consultants
  • Plan and provide training for emerging school leaders on various legal topics including employment, FERPA, risk management, and SPED
  • Manage matters relating to KIPP DC partnerships with other educational organizations
• Engage with external stakeholders to influence local policies surrounding charter schools
  • Serve as one of KIPP DC’s primary policy experts by representing KIPP DC in discussions and presentations with external stakeholders
  • Review and manage preparation for DC PCSB, DC Council, State Board of Education, and other relevant meetings and hearings
• Serve as member of KIPP DC’s Executive Team
  • Set and drive toward organizational priorities and lead change
  • Serve as a culture carrier and thought leader for the organization
  • Collaborate within and across functional areas
  • Serve as a key external representative of KIPP DC
  • Share talent best practices and collaborate across a network of 20+ KIPP regions nation-wide

• JD required
• Practicing attorney, barred or ability to be barred in DC
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience, including 7 years as a practicing attorney
• People management experience required
• Experience in education, non-profit, or government strongly preferred, but not required
• Experience working with board of directors
• Experience in policy and advocacy work
• Experience with employment law
• Context about the Washington DC region
• Excellent communication, project management, and analytic skills
• Dedication to KIPP DC’s mission
• Organized and detailed oriented
• Results-oriented team player who is dedicated to getting the job done
• Comfort with working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and for a non-profit
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)

TO APPLY:

Please submit an online application through our website at http://www.kippdc.org/careers. If you have any questions, please direct them to our recruitment team via e-mail at careers@kippdc.org. Salary and benefits are competitive and commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Compensation and Benefits:

KIPP DC offers an extremely competitive compensation and benefits package:

• The anticipated starting salary range for this position is $180,445-$244,131. When it comes to compensation, at KIPP DC we strive for clarity, equity, and to be highly competitive. We look at compensation benchmarks in the education and non-profit sector to determine our starting salaries.
• 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.
• 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. Schools operate in person and our students and families rely on us for in-person support which requires this position to be fully on-site. This role is currently required to be on-site or in schools during regular work hours.

EQUAL 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.

KIPP DC requires all staff to provide proof that they have had all doses of a primary COVID vaccine or obtain approval for exemption for medical or religious reasons before beginning employment. New hires who have not received all doses of a primary vaccine or who are waiting approval for exemption will not be able to begin employment.

All KIPP DC staff are strongly encouraged to stay up to date on their vaccinations. The CDC currently defines being up to date on the COVID vaccine as having had all doses of a primary vaccine and as having received a booster, if eligible.