Associate University Counsel, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

DHRM•Montgomery, VA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

This position serves as agency counsel for Virginia Tech. Serving as agency counsel requires advising decision-makers throughout the organization on the legal risks and obligations associated with their duties as employees or board members. Agency counsel may also represent the agency in state or federal court, before regulatory bodies and to third parties in pre-litigation and transactional matters.

Requirements

Knowledge of the law related to public institutions of higher education/Virginia state agencies developed through academic training, seminars, and legal experience in the specialty area.
Knowledge of fundamental subjects in law including public procurement and contracting, FOIA, FERPA, constitutional rights, intellectual property, data management, and real estate
Knowledge of legal research procedures.
Knowledge of the preparation of briefs and presentation of arguments for cases before state and federal agencies and courts.
Knowledge of the practices and procedures of the Office of the Attorney General.
Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
Ability to use judgment, tact and discretion.
Ability to quickly assimilate oral and written data, to analyze facts, and draw logical conclusions.
Ability to express legal interpretations or conclusions of law clearly and logically in oral and written form.
Ability to maintain records and prepare reports and correspondence related to the work.
Ability to organize work, establish priorities, and maintain good interpersonal relations and communications with other attorneys and support staff as well as effective working relationships with government officials, vendors and the general public.
Ability to spot potential barriers and identify resolutions to legal concerns.
Ability to identify and analyze issues and problems in management and human relations and to recommend and implement solutions.
Skills of persuasion, consensus building and conflict resolution.
Computer literacy.
Must be admitted to the Virginia State Bar.

Responsibilities

Understand institutional mission and structure to identify factual context in which legal issues arise.
Identify, to the extent applicable, any legal limitations on policy decisions or operational actions proposed by client.
Establish relationships with clients to foster well-informed decision-making.
Counsel agency leadership on mitigation of legal risks associated with the operation of institutional programs.
Conduct research to provide cogent legal analysis and stay abreast of developments in the law.
Provide written advice and recommendations, typically by e-mail or through informal memoranda.
Triage and prioritize requests for assistance to accommodate institutional needs and resource constraints.
Review and revise drafts of institutional policies and contracts prior to execution, as requested by client.
Advise institutional decision-makers tasked with administering procurement processes, sponsored research programs, auxiliary services, licensing of intellectual property and data protection.
Advise on contractual matters and negotiate with attorneys for third parties.
Advise on real estate transactions and approve as to form deeds, bonds and related documents.
Advise governing board on policy-setting and compliance matters.
Advise institutional leadership on personnel matters.
Advise institutional decision-makers tasked with conducting student disciplinary processes.
Represent the institution in defending and resolving contractual or pecuniary complaints filed in state or federal court or before regulatory bodies.
Recommend and negotiate settlement of disputes in accordance with OAG procedures.
Provide training and advice on legal compliance matters such as FOIA, COIA, FERPA, GDCDPA, the Public Records Act, ADA, export control, procurement processes and other laws applicable to state educational entities.
Advise campus safety personnel, including campus police and institution's threat assessment team, on policy development, statistical reporting and incident response.
Review and comment on draft regulations and advise on compliance with the Administrative Process Act.
Recommend use of outside counsel as appropriate and administer contracts in accordance with OAG procedures.
Participate in OAG bill review process as assigned.
Contribute to OAG opinions process as assigned.
Share expertise with attorneys in the Education Section and throughout the OAG as requested.