Associate General Counsel

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionDetails:

Posted: May 28, 2024
Level: Management / Confidential (Executive 1) 
Hours: Full-time, 32-40 hours per week
Closing Date: The review of applications will begin immediately until the position is filled. Applications submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Friday, June 14, 2024, will receive priority.

Location:

CSCU System Office
61 Woodland Street Hartford, CT 06105 
**This position is partially remote**
For more information, please visit the campus website or www.ct.edu/hr/jobs

Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Mission:

The Connecticut State Colleges & Universities (CSCU) contribute to the creation of knowledge and the economic growth of the state of Connecticut by providing affordable, innovative, and rigorous programs. Our learning environments transform students and facilitate an ever-increasing number of individuals to achieve their personal and career goals.

CSCU Vision:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities will build on its long and successful history by working collectively - within and across institutions - and by engaging external partners to increase the number of students pursuing and completing personally and professionally rewarding certificate and degree programs, improving their social mobility, and helping the state to meet its current and future workforce demands.

CSCU Equity Statement:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date: 

July 12, 2024

Position Summary:

The Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) Associate General Counsel is a temporary position from July 12, 2024, through November 14, 2024.  The Office of General Counsel provides legal research, analysis, and legal services to the CSCU Board of Regents, CSCU Chancellor and the System Office and the constituent Colleges and Universities within the CSCU system. All attorneys of the CSCU Office of General Counsel are expected to work collaboratively within the CSCU system to mitigate legal risks, facilitate efficient business practices, manage a wide variety of complicated issues in a fast-paced higher education environment, exercise independent judgment, and function effectively with internal and external audiences.

The temporary Associate General Counsel will provide legal support, manage the litigation portfolio, and provide interpretations of statutes, regulations and policies, addressing legal questions as they arise. This position is based at the CSCU System Office and reports to the CSCU General Counsel.

Example of Job Duties:

The following examples of duties illustrate the general range of tasks assigned to the position but are not intended to define the limits of required duties. Other essential duties may be assigned consistent with the general scope of the position

• Represents CSCU and acts as Attorney General Designee in administrative matters before state and federal agencies, including the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, and the Connecticut Freedom of Information Commission.
• Manages litigation matters and acts as liaison with the Office of Attorney General and outside counsel for employment litigation, student litigation, and general litigation tort matters pending before the Connecticut Claims Commission.
• Conducts investigations as required.
• Prepares responsive pleadings and reviews, edits and/or comments on motion practice in litigation.
• Prepares responses to interrogatories, requests for production of documents and request for admissions.
• Prepares witnesses for testimony.
• Prepares cases analysis summaries for executive leadership and makes recommendations regarding litigation strategy.
• Negotiates settlements involving legal issues on behalf of CSCU in conjunction with CSCU officials, the General Counsel and the Connecticut State Attorney General, as appropriate.
• Under the supervision of the General Counsel, manages outside counsel matters.
• Advises CSCU administrators on responding to internal complaints and grievances, including employment grievances, academic grievances, discrimination complaints, and student conduct matters, and provides administrators with prospective advice to avoid complaints and grievances. 
• Drafts, revises, and advises internal clients regarding CSCU policies and procedures.
• Drafts legal memos, claim response letters, and agreements, including settlement and separation agreements.
• Provides legal guidance on Freedom of Information requests.
• Assists the General Counsel by providing client-focused and mission-oriented legal services to departments, colleges, officials and employees of CSCU and performs such other related duties as directed by the General Counsel.

This posting includes qualifications, experience and skills but is not limited to the full specifications stated in the job description.

Incumbents must possess proven ability to effectively work with a culturally, linguistically, and ethnically diverse faculty, staff, and student. They are expected to have excellent oral and written communication skills along with strong Information technology literacy skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams etc.).

Qualifications:

Juris Doctor (JD) from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school or Bachelor of Laws (LLB) required.

Incumbents are required to have demonstrated advanced knowledge and abilities in the following: 

• License to practice law in the state of Connecticut and be a member of the Connecticut State Bar Association at the time of appointment.
• At least five (5) years of experience as a practicing litigation attorney.
• Working knowledge of Connecticut and Federal laws applicable to government agencies and/or higher education institutions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a significant and varied workload including working on multiple unrelated matters concurrently and completing complex projects independently and with minimal direction.
• Ability to assess a situation accurately and identify legal issues, conduct thorough and detailed legal research and analysis, propose practical solutions, and render timely and practical legal advice; approach work with a professional and pragmatic mindset.
• Ability to analyze risks presented in a wide variety of situations and advise internal clients and stakeholders on acceptable levels of risk and risk mitigation strategies.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, and relevant state and federal laws, statutes, and regulations and concisely communicate the interpretation to non-legal audiences.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated collaborative and flexible work style in working with diverse groups and populations and ability to build strong working relationships.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality.
• Must be able to drive and be willing to travel throughout the State.

Starting Salary:

$76.00 hourly plus excellent State of CT medical insurance, retirement, and related fringe benefits. 

We offer a comprehensive benefits package to help you stay well, protect yourself and your family, and plan for a secure future. Benefits include generous leave policies; several retirement plans; and many choices for comprehensive health insurance. You also have access to many additional benefits to save for retirement, protect your family & more with supplemental benefits. Tuition reimbursement may apply if applicable. 

Application Instructions:

To apply you must submit a cover letter and resume. The cover letter may be entered as text in the corresponding box, or it can be uploaded as a combined file with the resume.  

Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered and links to other sources to view resumes are not acceptable.

For more information or to apply via our website at www.ct.edu/hr/jobs

Selection Procedure:

Following the closing date, application materials will be evaluated by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be limited to those applicants who are best qualified based on the minimum and preferred qualifications and who have submitted all the required documents by the closing date and time listed on the job announcement. Candidates who have been selected and approved to interview will be contacted, and finalists will be recommended for further consideration by the Hiring Manager for final selection and recommendation for employment. The selection process may also include practical exercises (i.e., teaching demonstration and/or other written, technical, manipulative, or simulation exercises) to evaluate candidates' qualifications.

Background Screening:

All employment, if offered, is contingent upon proof of citizenship or employability under the requirement of the Immigration and Control Act (IRCA) and the successful passing of a background check. CSCU is committed to providing a safe campus community. Background investigations include reference checks, a criminal history record check and, when appropriate, a financial (credit) report or driving history check.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CSCU does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, age, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, marital status, ancestry, present or past history of mental disorder, learning disability or physical disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information or criminal record. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, (jchaisson-cardenas@commnet.edu).

CSCU IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER, M/F

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