Director of Student Legal Services Office
- Employer
- University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Location
- Amherst, Massachusetts
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Legal Affairs
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
The University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a public research and land-grant university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the flagship of the University of Massachusetts system. With 6,397 faculty and staff members and more than 30,000 students, UMass Amherst is the largest public university in New England and is ranked among the top 30 public universities in the nation.
The university offers bachelor’s degrees, master’s degrees, and doctoral degrees in 90 undergraduate and 72 graduate areas of study. UMass Amherst is ranked 29th among the nation’s top public universities, moving up 11 spots in the past two years in the U.S. News & World Report annual college guide.
Under the general programmatic direction of the undergraduate and graduate student governance bodies and the vice chancellor for student affairs and campus life, and reporting to the dean of students, the director leads the legal and administrative operation of the Student Legal Services Office (SLSO). The director is legal counsel to and provides policy advocacy for the student governance bodies and student leaders on issues of concern to the student body; provides legal services to students and student groups; and develops and directs a community legal education program.
The director provides legal assistance to students, including legal advice and counseling, referral to outside legal counsel, legal document preparation, representation, mediation, litigation, policy advocacy, and lobbying. Additionally, the director and staff educate students on legal rights and obligations and the legal process. The director develops and implements the community legal education program, including an internship program, newsletter, brochures, trainings, lectures, and workshops – each with a focus on a preventive measure approach to promote students’ legal rights. Understanding responsibilities with respect to conflicts of interest, the director behaves in ways consistent with both law and university policy. The director oversees the daily operations of the department, including budget development and presentation and expenditure approval; the director also hires, supervises, trains, and evaluates the job performance of attorneys and staff.
A Juris Doctor degree from an accredited institution, membership in the Massachusetts Bar (or the ability to acquire admission), as well as five years of experience in the practice of law, including 2-3 years of experience supervising attorneys and/or law students are required. Significant experience providing legal education and advice to student and community client constituencies is preferred. Experience in and current knowledge of the following areas of law: housing; consumer; labor/employment; civil rights; criminal; college-based student conduct proceedings; and Title IX. Preferred experience in family and/or immigration law.
Review of applications will begin February 6, 2019 and continue until the position is filled. A resume with an accompanying cover letter may be submitted via the Spelman Johnson website at www.spelmanjohnson.com/open-positions. Nominations for this position may be emailed to Heather J. Larabee at hjl@spelmanjohnson.com. Applicants needing reasonable accommodation to participate in the application process should contact Spelman Johnson at 413-529-2895.
Visit the University of Massachusetts Amherst website at www.umass.edu/ T
The University is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.
Organization
The University of Massachusetts Amherst is one of the preeminent public research universities in America. Nestled in idyllic Amherst, Massachusetts—often called “The top college town in North America”—the campus is consistently ranked among the top public research universities in the nation, and offers a rich cultural environment in a rural setting close to major urban centers.
As one of the nation's top public research universities – as measured by national and international rankings, academic citations, and research funding – the campus spends more than $180 million on research each year, demonstrating its contribution to the nation’s position as a technological and economic leader. The university works in conjunction with academic, government, and private partners to translate new knowledge and scientific discoveries into technical innovations and scholarly works that create opportunities for students, faculty and the public.
Eight schools and colleges offer more than 85 undergraduate majors, 68 master’s and 48 doctoral degree programs, many counted among the top programs in the nation and world. UMass Amherst is also home to New England's premier honors college.
The 1,159 full-time faculty members are dedicated teachers and world-renowned researchers and the campus has regularly been listed among the top performers in terms of faculty awards. With over 24,000 students from all 50 states and over 70 countries, the student body is the most academically successful in the history of the campus. Students participate in 240 organizations, 21 NCAA Division I athletic teams, extensive intramurals, living-learning residence halls, community service, and internships. With one of the largest residential life systems in the nation, UMass Amherst houses approximately 12,000 students on campus. The university is enjoying a facilities renaissance, including new buildings in the sciences, the arts, and recreation. UMass Amherst is part of the Five College consortium with Smith, Mount Holyoke, Hampshire and Amherst colleges.
As an employer, the University of Massachusetts Amherst is a national leader in developing family-friendly policies, benefits and amenities designed to help faculty members develop both productive careers and satisfying personal lives. The university offers one of the nation’s most generous parental leave policies. The university is also part of the Academic Career Network, a regional consortium formed to serve dual-career couples and encourage greater diversity in the academy.
- Website
- http://umass.edu/
- Telephone
- 4135454894
- Location
-
181 PRESIDENTS DR
Whitmore Administration Building
Amherst
Massachusetts
01003
US
Get job alerts
Create a job alert and receive personalized job recommendations straight to your inbox.
Create alert