Assistant General Counsel

Houston Community College•Houston, TX

About The Position

We are currently seeking an Assistant General Counsel I who will advance the institution’s proud tradition of excellence in academics, student life and community service. The Opportunity Your mission: In this role, you’ll assist General Counsel in providing LGL services support to the Governing Board and College System Your work: We’ll count on you to research, stay abreast of and provide recommendations concerning emerging LGL issues that impact HCC. You’ll work with regulatory and legislative entities, and represent HCC in administrative and LGL proceedings. Drafting contracts and reviewing LGL documents (e.g., board policies, bylaws and administrative procedures) will also be within your purview. Finally, you’ll provide LGL support and/or interpretations on labor law, discrimination complaints, grievance processes, and faculty and student issues. Next steps: If you always have the student experience in the forefront of your planning and execution, if you’re a collaborator, an innovator and a person who gets things done, apply today! If this sounds like the role for you and you’re ready to join an amazing team, please apply right away. SUMMARY The Assistant General Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice and counsel to the Governing Board and College System. Incumbent has a support role in areas of actual and potential legal liability, including but not limited to, reviewing and drafting contracts, advising on personnel matters, providing representation in internal administrative proceedings, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, interpreting system policies, regulations and rules, developing and drafting policies and procedures, and drafting legislation. Assist in the supervision of district-wide compliance. Responsible for the design, execution and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effectives and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable law, regulation, policies and procedures. Manages Human Resources activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection; hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.

Requirements

J. D. degree required from an accredited law school required.
Member, State Bar of Texas required.
Seven (7) years directly related experience to include contracts, education, labor & employment, open records law required.
Education Law, Texas Education Code experience required.
Knowledge of and experience in business contracts and lease drafting required.
Excellent oral and written communications skills
Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
Ability to comply with deadlines such as legal/legislative
Familiarity with education, corporate and government law
Ability to support HR in dispute resolution related issues
Ability to travel as required to support the Board of Trustees, Chancellor or key college administrators
Excellent research and writing skills

Nice To Haves

Five years of experience working at institutions of higher education or Texas community colleges, school districts, or governmental entities preferred.
Knowledge of and experience with Texas Election Code, annexation issues, Department of Justice Submissions and appropriate processes in these areas preferred.
Extensive working experience with TASB policies and SACS accreditation preferred.

Responsibilities

Advising and counseling the governing board, chancellor, vice-chancellors, presidents and Chief Human Resources Officer, and other administrators designated by the General Counsel.
Advising and counseling the governing board, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellors, Presidents and Chief Human Resources Officer, and other administrators designated by the Chancellor
Keeping abreast of emerging legal issues that may have an impact on the district, programs or curriculum or any of HCC colleges
Monitoring fund-raising activities at the college or district level including foundation programs that may have certain legal ramifications for HCC
Drafting business contracts and building leasing/acquisition matters, ground leases, construction contracts, other real estate transactions, vendor and third party service agreements and compliance.
Maintaining standard contract forms, reviewing and negotiating agreements, providing contracts training and assisting in the resolution of contract disputes.
Providing and maintaining college-wide policy and procedure training to ensure compliance.
Research legal issues and provide written recommendations and memorandum.
Assist General Counsel and the Administration in managing litigation and claims.
Assist General Counsel to develop, coordinate and conduct in-service training on legal topics for administrators and support staff and provide support and legal guidance on legislative activities that affect HCC.
Assist General Counsel and the administration with the development, review and preparation of board agendas, posting notices, responses to request for public information/open records via the Office of General Counsel or the Office of Public Information in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act.
Support General Counsel in representing HCC in administrative and legal proceedings.
Assist the administration in the development, preparation and implementation of board policies, by-laws, administrative procedures and other guidelines.
Review legal documents including board policies, bylaws, administrative procedures and other guidelines as necessary.
Work with regulatory and legislative bodies, courts and office of the attorney general.
Review, monitor and validate all legal charges submitted to HCC from outside legal firms.
Provide legal support on employment matters including interpretation of applicable laws, regulations and managing labor and employment claims.
Provide legal support on interpretations on labor law, discrimination complaints, grievance processes, faculty and student issues.
Provide internal oversight of audit and compliance hotline.
Assist with Trustee Elections (including application, election deadline schedule, ballot order drawing, placing candidate names on ballot, assist with agreements for costs associated with election, canvassing of votes and public postings)
Confer with citizens seeking to speak before the Board of Trustees.
Ensure compliance with legal standards applicable to the implementation of affirmative action plans and programs.
May supervise staff.