General Counsel
- Employer
- University of Rhode Island
- Location
- Kingston, RI
View more
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
SF00998
Job Title:General Counsel
Position Number:108453
FTE:1.00
FLSA:Exempt
Position Type:Professional Staff
Union:Non-Union Non-Classified Staff
Pay Grade Level:18
Pay Grade Range:Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Status :Calendar Year, Full-time, Permanent
Department:Office of General Counsel
Campus Location:Kingston
Grant Funded:No
Job Description Summary:APPLICATION DEADLINE: The search will remain open until the position has been filled. First consideration will be given to applications received by January 20, 2021. Second consideration may be given to applications received by February 10, 2021. Applications received subsequent to second consideration date (February 10, 2021) may not be given full consideration.
BASIC FUNCTION:
Provide legal services and advice to the President, Board of Trustees and senior administrators of the University on a broad range of legal matters.
Duties and Responsibilities:ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Provide legal services to the University of Rhode Island Board of Trustees and the President to include without limitation, (i) promulgation and implementation of by-laws in accordance with the statutory duties and responsibilities of the Board; (ii) preparation and review of Board agendas, annotated agendas; meeting minutes, and motions and resolutions for compliance with the Open Meetings Act; (iii) review and respond to requests for records under the Access to Public Records Act; (iv) draft and review contracts requiring Board approval; review policies and procedures adopted by the Board for legal sufficiency; provide legal support for Board committees; (v) perform legal research and prepare appropriate legal memorandum, reports and summaries as directed by the Board or the President; (vi) assist the Board and President in drafting legislation, rules, policies and regulations for the governance of the University; (vii) represent the Board before boards, commissions and federal and state courts, as required; (viii) perform such other and related duties as assigned by the President.
Provide legal services to the departments, colleges, officials and employees of the University.
Provide legal advice and guidance to appropriate university officials, employees and staff on the full range of legal issues facing non-profit, public institutions of higher education; including without limitation, (i) issues related to student affairs including, student conduct and disciplinary issues and proceedings, sexual harassment and misconduct, Title IX and Clery Act regulations and policies, ADA and other issues related to disability discrimination and accommodations, issues related to fraternities, sororities and other student groups and organizations, student activities and athletics issues; (ii) employment law including equal employment opportunity and affirmative action issues, discrimination and harassment; (iii) on campus research compliance issues, including human subject and animal welfare regulations, export control regulations, environmental health and safety, research integrity and misconduct, research contracts, public-private research collaborations, start-up technology companies, incubators, transactions involving technology transfer and related conflict of interest issues; and researching and drafting memoranda in support of international partnership and business relationships.
Provide legal services and advice related to various business services and transactions for legal sufficiency and compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations, including without limitation, compliance with purchasing and procurement laws, regulations and policies; review, negotiation and drafting contracts, contract provisions, addenda and proposals, agreements and memorandum of agreements, student affiliation and clinical education agreements, software license, maintenance and support agreements, service contracts, concession contracts, employment agreements, and construction contracts, real estate agreements, leases and licenses.
Supervise and provide direction to the legal office staff and staff of the University athletic compliance program.
Hire and coordinate appropriate outside counsel with specialized expertise, as needed.
Review and maintain currency with laws, rules and regulations affecting education, particularly higher education, and provide employee and staff training as required.
OTHER DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Perform other related duties as required.
LICENSES, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT:
Personal computers, printers; word processing, spreadsheet and database software. License to practice law in the state of Rhode Island and be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association at the time of appointment or, within one year from said date, if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state, be eligible to register with the Rhode Island Supreme Court as an “in-house counsel.”
Required Qualifications:REQUIRED:
1.Graduation from an accredited law school.
2.Minimum of five years’ experience as a practicing attorney.
3.Minimum of five years of direct relevant experience representing a large university or similar complex organization, laboratory or institution.
4.License to practice law in the state of Rhode Island and be a member of the Rhode Island Bar Association at the time of appointment or, within one year from said date, if also a member in good standing of the bar of any other state, be eligible to register with the Rhode Island Supreme Court as an “in-house counsel”.
5.Demonstrated experience in promulgating public sector policy.
6.Demonstrated experience in on-line legal research and writing.
7.Demonstrated strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills.
8.Demonstrated proficiency in written communication skills.
9.Demonstrated supervisory experience.
10.Demonstrated ability to interpret institutional policies, plans, objectives, as well as governmental rules and regulations and communicate the interpretation to others.
11.Demonstrated computer experience.
12.Demonstrated ability to work with diverse groups/populations.
13.Demonstrated collaborative and flexible work style.
14.Willingness to take on a wide range of responsibilities.
15.Demonstrated ability to balance multiple and competing deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Preferred Qualifications:PREFERRED:
1.Demonstrated experience in working with higher education governance and administration.
2.Demonstrated experience with issues related to student affairs.
3.Minimum of three years of litigation experience, including mediation and arbitration, administrative law, labor law, equal opportunity law, real estate, contracts and intellectual property law.
ALL REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO POSSIBLE MODIFICATION TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.
Environmental Conditions:This position is not substantially exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
Posting Date:12/23/2020
Special Instructions to Applicants:Please attach the following 3 (PDF) documents to your online Employment Application:
(#1) Cover letter.
(#2) Resume.
(#3) “Other Document” – the names and contact information of three professional references (pdf doc).
Quicklink for Posting:Organization
The University of Rhode Island
Founded in 1892, this land and sea grant university is the flagship public research institution in Rhode Island, enrolling more than 14,500 undergraduate students and 2,000 graduate students.
Thinking big
URI is home to some of today’s leading innovators, discoverers, and creative problem solvers and is known regionally and worldwide for its big ideas and pioneering research in such areas as environmental studies, neuroscience, biotechnology and life sciences, engineering, marine sciences, forensic sciences, pharmaceuticals, behavioral sciences, and public health promotion. A strong core of traditional academic disciplines provides the foundation for all specialized, professional, and applied areas of study. The University receives about $60 million annually in federal funding for research across 87 undergraduate and 70 graduate degree programs.
Motivated students, engaged faculty
Nearly 23,000 students applied for fewer than 3,300 openings in the 2017 freshman class, which boasts an average grade point average of 3.54. The 17 to 1 student/faculty ratio allows for personal attention and rewarding teaching experiences. Approximately 87 percent of faculty hold terminal degrees. In 2018 URI produced two Fulbright Scholars, five Boren Scholars, a Truman Scholar, and was named a one of the country’s top Gilman scholar-producing schools. URI’s commitment to diversity is demonstrated through its student body, with 43 states and 65 nations represented and 20 percent of students identifying as persons of color, a 65 percent increase since 2008.
Four campuses, one community
URI’s main campus is located on 1,248 acres in rural Kingston, where the campus core — including a quadrangle surrounded by handsome granite buildings — is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Six miles from Rhode Island’s beaches, this campus is conveniently situated along the Boston to New York corridor. The University’s renowned Graduate School of Oceanography is located at the 165-acre Narragansett Bay Campus. The Alan Shawn Feinstein College of Education and Professional Studies brings higher education to downtown Providence. Nearby, the 133,000-square-foot Rhode Island Nursing Education Center includes unparalleled simulation labs. The W. Alton Jones Campus — 2,300 acres of forests, lakes, and farmland in West Greenwich — provides a secluded setting for academic research, environmental education, business meetings and special events.
Investing in the future
Since 2007, the University has invested $607 million in campus capital projects, including: a $150 million engineering complex, due to open in 2019; Brookside, another new apartment-style residence hall, 2019; a Welcome Center, 2018; the Rhode Island Nursing Education Center, 2017; Beaupre Center for Chemical and Forensic Sciences, 2016; and Avedisian Hall, home to the College of Pharmacy, 2012.
Expertise on demand
The University is home to several centers of expertise that tackle some of society’s most vexing challenges. The George & Anne Ryan Institute for Neuroscience brings multi-disciplinary research to bear on devastating brain diseases, such as ALS and Alzheimer’s. The Digital Forensics and Cyber Security Center supports state, national, and international public welfare through education, research, training, and service. The Business Engagement Center is the “front door” through which industry taps into research and training opportunities and assistance with intellectual property or technology issues. The R.I. Food Center brings URI’s agricultural roots to the 21st century as a resource for farmers, consumers, retailers, and others across the food industry
- Telephone
- 401-874-1000
- Location
-
80 Lower College Road
North Kingston
Rhode Island
02881
US
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