Job Information
Stephen F. Austin State University Assistant or Associate General Counsel in Nacogdoches, Texas
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Posting Details
Position Information
Job Title Assistant or Associate General Counsel
Full Time/Part Time Full Time
FLSA Exempt
General Job Description
Assistant General Counsel:
This is a professional position responsible for assisting in the provision of legal services for the university with exposure to the wide range of legal issues presented in the Office of the General Counsel. Responsible for the legal business and regulatory aspects of higher education including negotiation and review of contracts; managing document requests including open record procedures, subpoenas, and litigation discovery; conducting legal research and writing legal memorandum and correspondence; and assisting in campus problem solving. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Vice President and General Counsel.
Associate General Counsel:
This is a professional position responsible for assisting in the provision of legal services for the university with exposure to the wide range of legal issues presented in the Office of the General Counsel. This position functions as a generalist, providing services in a variety of subject areas, including employment, contracts, student issues, governance, constitutional law, civil rights, policy development and review, open records, privacy, law enforcement, litigation, risk management, tax, tort, athletics, construction, real estate, intellectual property, information technology, information security, and ethics/conflicts of interest. Works under limited supervision, with considerable latitude for the use of initiative and independent judgment. Reports to the Vice President and General Counsel.
Essential Job Functions
Assistant General Counsel:
Drafts and prepares legal memorandum, correspondence, contracts, and other legal documents.
Reviews and negotiates contracts and manages university contract workflow processes.
Coordinates the processing of open records requests in compliance with state law.
Conducts legal research.
Assists students, faculty, staff, state officials, and the general public with informational needs, policies, and procedures, and provides appropriate legal advice for the campus community.
Coordinates, communicates, and complies with the processing of subpoenas received at the university, to include communicating and coordinating with other departments as necessary.
Maintains familiarity with university policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulations related to open records, subpoenas, contract administration, and higher education in general.
Creates and conducts legal training for campus constituencies.
Maintains confidentiality of office, where some of the most sensitive university information is retained.
Communicates regularly with top level university administrators, UT System administrators, and attorneys.
Develops content for departmental website and reviews website for needed updates.
Associate General Counsel:
Assists students, faculty, staff, state officials, and the general public with informational needs, policies, and procedures, and provides appropriate legal counsel on issues pertaining to higher education.
Drafts and prepares legal memorandum, correspondence, contracts, and other legal documents.
Assists administrators in the development of specific contract proposals and/or agreements, an appropriate overall contract strategy, and/or legal review of the applicable terms/conditions.
Coordinates the processing of open records requests in compliance with state law.
Conducts legal research.
Coordinates, communicates, and complies with the processing of subpoenas received at the university, to include communicating and coordinating with other departments as necessary.
Maintains familiarity with university policies and procedures as well as state and federal regulations applicable to higher education.
Creates and conducts legal training for campus constituencies.
Maintains confidentiality of office, where some of the most sensitive university information is retained.
Communicates regularly with top level university administrators, UT System administrators, and attorneys.
Non-Essential Job Functions
Assistant / Associate General Counsel:
Coordinates and assists with special projects as assigned.
Performs other related duties as assigned.
Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The individual must possess the following knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation.
Assistant / Associate General Counsel:
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, university policies and procedures.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, federal, state, and local laws, statutes, regulations, codes, and standards, and their application in higher education and state agencies.
Knowledge of, or ability to learn, law related to contracts, open government, debt collection, constitutional obligations, and other key areas of the law applicable to higher education and the primary areas of responsibility for this position. Ability to expand legal expertise and areas of legal knowledge over time.
Skill in analysis, problem solving, research, and report writing.
Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheet, database, and word processing software.
Ability to learn office and university-specific software.
Ability to analyze, organize, and prioritize work while meeting multiple deadlines.
Ability to work independently on difficult or complex tasks.
Ability to identify problems, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective solutions.
Ability to communicate effectively in both oral and written form.
Ability to accurately prepare and maintain, in an organized manner, records, files, and reports.
Ability to work with and maintain confidential information.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with university faculty and staff.
Ability to communicate and interact effectively with members of the public.
Must possess personal and professional integrity.
Physical Demands
Required Education
Assistant / Associate General Counsel:
Juris Doctorate or equivalent from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association is required.
Required Experience and Training
Assistant General Counsel:
No related experience is required. License to practice law in the State of Texas, or the ability to obtain such a license within one year of employment, is required.
Associate General Counsel:
Three years of relevant legal experience is required. License to practice law in the State of Texas, or the ability to obtain such a license within one year of employment, is required.
Preferred Qualifications
Assistant General Counsel:
Experience as an intern or law fellow in a higher education setting is preferred.
Associate General Counsel:
Experience in a higher education setting is preferred.
Special Conditions for Eligibility
This is a security-sensitive position subject to criminal record check.
This is an IT-sensitive position subject to the Computer and Network Security policy.
Min Pay Rate
Mid Pay Rate
Salary Information Salary Grade - 5 (Assistant) or 4 (Associate), Commensurate with Experience
Specific Job Requirements/Duties for this Posting
Is Background Check Required? Yes
Benefit and Retirement Eligibility
This position is eligible for participation in the Optional Retirement Program ( ORP ), subject to the position being full-time and at least 4 ½ months in length, or the Teacher Retirement System of Texas ( TRS ) retirement plan, subject to the position being at least 20 hours per week and at least 135 days in length.
EEO Statement
Stephen F. Austin State University, an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and Educator, is committed to excellence. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, creed, color, age, national origin, religion or physical or mental disability as required by law. If, because of an impairment or disability, you need accommodation during any part of the employment process, please contact Human Resources at 936-468-2304.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number S2024-074
Candidates Eligible to Apply Open to all qualified applicants
Number of Positions Available 1
Posted Date 06/11/2024
Review Start Date 07/01/2024
Close Date
Work Schedule Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm
Open Until Filled Yes
Special Instructions to Applicants
Posting Quick Link https://careers.sfasu.edu/postings/11694
Contact Information
Contact Name April Smith
Contact Phone (936) 468-4048
Contact Email alsmith@sfasu.edu
Contact Information
Supplemental Questions
Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).
- Do you currently have, or will you have in hand by time of appointment, a Juris Doctorate or equivalent from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association?
Yes
No
- Which of the following best represents the number of years experience you possess relating directly to the job to which you are applying?
Less than one
One to two
Three to four
Five to six
Seven to eight
Nine or more
- Do you have working experience in higher education?
Yes
No
- Do you have, or can you obtain within 1 year of appointment, a license to practice law in the State of Texas?
Yes
No
Documents Needed To Apply
Required Documents
Resume
Cover Letter
List of References
Optional Documents