Assistant General Counsel, Labor and Employee Discipline

Chicago Public Schools (CPS) is one of the largest school districts in the United States, serving over 320,000 students in 500 schools and employing nearly 44,000 people, most of them teachers.  CPS has set ambitious goals to ensure that every student, in every school and every neighborhood, has access to a world-class learning experience that prepares each for success in college, career, and civic life.  In order to fulfill this mission, we make three commitments to our students, their families, and all Chicagoans: academic progress, financial stability, and integrity.  Six core values are embedded within these commitments – student-centered, whole child, equity, academic excellence, community partnership, and continuous learning.

The CPS Law Department provides a full array of legal services to the Chicago Board of Education and the various departments and divisions of Chicago Public Schools.

Job Summary: 

Reporting directly to the Deputy General Counsel and dotted line reporting to the Assistant Deputy General Counsel, Labor and Employee Discipline will work to handle traditional labor law matters and appeals involving unfair labor practice charges and arbitration demands filed by labor organizations. Additionally, the Assistant General Counsel will assist in the prosecuting of employee discipline matters before administrative agencies and the Illinois State Board of Education. This is a full-time, exempt position that will be paid for time worked on a salary basis.

The Assistant General Counsel, Labor and Employee Discipline will be held accountable for the following responsibilities:

• Work up and litigate grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practice charges, employee discipline administrative hearings, and other labor relations matters

• Work closely with CPS clients to ensure that labor and employee discipline cases are properly addressed and litigated

• Review the legality of employee relations strategies and policies utilizing a keen knowledge of federal and state statutory and case law in employment and labor areas, as well as all areas that may impact the District

• Defend the Board in labor arbitrations against various labor unions

• Defend the Board in unfair labor practice proceedings in front of the Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, and represent the Board in termination proceedings in front of the Illinois State Board of Education and the CPS Office of Administrative Hearings

• On a daily basis, advise various internal CPS clients and school principals on labor and employee relations cases

• Other duties as assigned