Utah State University - Associate General Counsel
Overview
Reporting to the Vice President for Legal Affairs and General Counsel, this attorney advises the University’s academic and administrative units on a variety of legal matters with a focus on employment law, including, ADA, federal and state nondiscrimination laws, wage and hour laws, privacy laws, workplace safety, and other areas assigned by the General Counsel or their designee. This position provides legal support for public record requirements and requests. This position may advise cross-functional committees and task forces.
This position is part of the Office of the General Counsel, which represents Utah State University. This position is based in Logan, but responsibilities may involve service to all campuses and centers in the University system.
This position is eligible for hybrid telework within the state of Utah, subject to USU’s policy and procedures.
Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Provides timely, accessible, responsive, and sound legal services to University constituencies in a collaborative, professional environment on the full array of legal issues arising in the context of higher education.
Performs legal and factual research and analyses.
Prepares and reviews legal correspondence and documents.
Advises on and/or drafts rules, policies and procedures.
Provides training on legal interpretations and issues to University administrators, staff, and designated representatives.
Reviews and/or approves contracts and agreements as to legality and form, and makes recommendations for approval of legal documents.
May represent the University in grievances, agency actions, or arbitrations.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned by the General Counsel.
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications
Juris Doctor from an ABA accredited law school.
Strong academic credentials.
Current license to practice law in Utah, or eligibility within three months of hire; if licensed in another state, must be in good standing with the State Bar of that state (or those states) and willing and able to become licensed in Utah within 6 months.
Personal and professional integrity.
Preferred Qualifications
3-years’ experience practicing employment law and related subject areas.
Prior experience with institutions of higher education.
Experience managing complex legal issues.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Ability to create, compose, and edit legal correspondence, memoranda and other written materials.
Ability to investigate and analyze information and draw conclusions.
Ability to represent University officials in administrative proceedings.
Ability to draft legal documents, such as pleadings, legal responses, affidavits, position statements, and briefs.
Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions.
Ability to develop and deliver presentations.
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to be sensitive to and understand the special nature of working in an academic institution where the need for a collaborative working style, flexibility, adaptability, and patience is critical to success.
Knowledge of contract documents and specifications.
Familiarity with all areas of state and federal employment and nondiscrimination laws and regulations, including but not limited to Title VI, Title VII, Title IX, ADEA, ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, the Utah Antidiscrimination Act, FMLA, UOSHA, WARN, FLSA, and GRAMA.
Knowledge of current and developing issues and trends in higher education law and employment law.
Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research.
Knowledge of process requirements of administrative hearings and litigation.
Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements.
Excellent judgment and legal skills.
Intercultural competence, awareness, and communication; demonstrated commitment to inclusion.
Exceptional communication and relationship-building skills, and the ability to establish and maintain collegial and collaborative working relationships within the office and across the University and the System.
Required Documents
Along with the online application, please attach:
Resume to be uploaded at the beginning of your application in the Candidate Profile under “Resume/CV”
Minimum five (5) professional references with contact information completed in the Candidate Profile.
Cover Letter describing the minimum and preferred qualifications for the position and your interest in serving as Associate General Counsel at an R1 land-grant university - to be typed/pasted at the end of your application
**Document size may not exceed 10 MB.**
Advertised Salary
Commensurate with experience, plus excellent benefits
ADA
Employees work indoors and are protected from weather and/or contaminants, but not, necessarily, occasional temperature changes. The employee is regularly required to sit and often uses repetitive hand motions.
University Highlights
Utah State University (USU) was founded in 1888 and is Utah’s land-grant and space-grant university. USU is only one of 146 research institutions in the U.S. classified as R1 “very high research activity” by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. As one of the two premier research institutions in Utah, USU provides a high-quality education at an affordable price. With its main campus in Logan, the university serves approximately 27,500 students, including 24,255 undergraduates and 3,171 graduate students. USU Online has served students from all 50 states and 55 countries for 25 years.
USU’s statewide system features three residential campuses, 30 total campus locations, and 23 Extension education centers. The university employees 903 full-time faculty members, 124 executive administrators, and 1,649 full-time support staff. USU offers 115 undergraduate majors, as well as 91 master’s and 42 doctoral degrees. Learn more about USU.
A core characteristic of USU is engagement with communities and people in economic development, improvements to quality of life, and human capital. Through the practical application of knowledge, the University and its faculty engage and share expertise with the state, nation, and world, preserving the historical land-grant tradition of partnering with communities to address critical societal issues in the interest of the public good.
The USU main campus is located in beautiful Logan, Utah, a city of about 50,000 situated in a picturesque mountain valley about 80 miles north of Salt Lake City. Outstanding recreational opportunities abound in the nearby mountains and proximate region.
USU is sensitive to the needs of dual career couples and provides a Dual Career Assistance program to support careers for partners who are also seeking employment.
USU endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access in all aspects of employment to qualified persons with disabilities. To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability, please contact the university’s ADA Coordinator in the Human Resource office at 435-797-0122 or submit a request at hr@usu.edu.
Notice of Non-discrimination
In its programs and activities, including in admissions and employment, Utah State University does not discriminate or tolerate discrimination, including harassment, based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other status protected by University policy, Title IX, or any other federal, state, or local law.