Job no: 510647
Work type: Staff Full Time
Location: UMass Amherst
Department: Student Legal Services Office
Union: PSU
Categories: Human Resources, Student Affairs & Services, Administrative/Office Support
About UMass AmherstUMass Amherst, the Commonwealth's flagship campus, is a nationally ranked public research university offering a full range of undergraduate, graduate and professional degrees. The University sits on nearly 1,450-acres in the scenic Pioneer Valley of Western Massachusetts, and offers a rich cultural environment in a bucolic setting close to major urban centers. In addition, the University is part of the Five Colleges (including Amherst College, Hampshire College, Mount Holyoke College, and Smith College), which adds to the intellectual energy of the region.
Job SummaryUnder the direction of the Director of the Student Legal Services Office (SLSO), the Assistant Director for Administration assumes a lead role in overseeing and managing the day to day SLSO law office policies and procedures, outreach initiatives, and data collection/reporting. Primary duties include but are not limited to; development, administration and management of SLSO, the hiring, training, supervision and evaluation of non-attorney staff, and the management of the SLSO’s outreach and development efforts. This position will lead the SLSO’s strategic partnership development and represent the SLSO both within and outside the University in industry meetings and other law-related events. The Assistant Director for Administration will draft, oversee, and administer the implementation of policies concerning the provision of legal services to students, and will develop and manage a data-based assessment program in support of strategic planning and policy development.
Essential FunctionsAdministration of law office policies and procedures to facilitate legal services; oversee office operations including administrative and staffing matters, as well as manage financial obligations. (40%)Fulfills section mission by administrating office policies and procedures to facilitate provision of legal services to students which include legal advice and counseling, referral to outside legal counsel, legal document preparation, representation, mediation, litigation, policy advocacy and lobbying, education of students on legal rights and obligations and the legal process.Ensures implementation of docket control system, casework status, and case records systems.Hires, trains, and evaluates assigned staff; participate in evaluation of attorney staff.Manages financial obligations; develops and proposes SLSO’s annual budget in collaboration with the Director, maintains budget and prepares reports, monitors expenses, maintains records to ensure compliance with the Massachusetts Interest on Lawyers’ Trust Account (IOLTA), Student Activities Fee, Graduate Senate Tax, and University accounting policies, and trains staff on such policies; manages office discretionary funds; purchases office supplies, library materials and equipment; responsible for all accounts payable; assures adequate service and insurance coverage; assists Director in management of IOLTA Client Trust Account and complying with all IOLTA regulations.Contributes to unit effectiveness by identifying short-term and long-term issues, strategic planning, and development of program policies, in accordance with student needs, institutional objectives and resources.Oversees office technology and electronic file management software; trains staff and students on software use; serves as primary contact for UMass Amherst Student Affairs Technology Services (SATS), UMass Information Technology (IT), and off campus software vendors. Serve as Local Area Network Administrator; consult with staff and/or vendors regarding computer and software issues; Assess need for and coordinate purchase of hardware and software; Develop and maintain effective administrative, technical and physical safeguards in order to protect the personal information of clients and employees.Hires, trains, and supervises student staff; leads selection of and provides administrative direction to Law Clerk(s). (temporary hourly or students employees)Ensures staff compliance with applicable laws and university policies; maintains malpractice insurance.Develops and maintains effective administrative, technical, and physical safeguards in order to protect privileged and confidential information.Coordinates and attends Student Legal Service Office Advisory Committee (SLSOAC) board meetings.Attends Student Affairs and Campus Life leadership meetings as appropriate.Leads the SLSO’s strategic partnership development and represents the SLSO to both on and off campus constituents and agencies, in order to establish connections with the local legal community, recruit private attorneys to SLSO’s Lawyer Referral Panel and to gain an understanding of the needs of clients and resources available to them through both the private and public sector. Administratively assists the Director in providing legal counsel to the Student Government Association, the Graduate Student Senate, their agencies, and Registered Student Organizations.Ensure staff compliance with applicable laws and university policies, malpractice insurance requirements, and Code of Professional Responsibility for the Legal Profession.Understands, is committed to, and implements University and Student Affairs affirmative action and non-discrimination policies and procedures.Develop and coordinate legal education & outreach initiatives, including SLSO’s undergraduate Legal Assistant Internship program. (40%)Creates and establishes an annual outreach strategy and marketing plan to be approved by the DirectorDevelops, coordinates, and markets SLSO Community Legal Education (CLE) Programs which are both informative and educational in nature, working with Student Groups, Faculty, Academic Departments, Student Affairs, Dean of Students Office, Residential Life, New Students Programs, UMPD, and International Programs Office to provide a wide variety of workshops, trainings and other programming initiatives; collaborates with campus and community colleagues in identifying legal education needs and implementing programming; Designs, publishes, and distributes legal education materials.Coordinates and oversees the Legal Assistant Internship program; conducts outreach and selection process of interns; develops and leads training of interns; administratively supervises and evaluates interns using a co-curricular focus; acts as a liaison to faculty sponsors.Coordinates and monitors public relations; develops and implements annual marketing/outreach plan; designs and distributes promotional materials; develops and maintains the SLSO website and social media accounts.Develops and coordinates SLSO alumni outreach program and facilitates communication between alumni and SLSO; maintains and updates SLSO alumni database; Develop outreach campaigns with and for SLSO alumni to create and strengthen networks of alumni, interns and students of UMass.Responsible for contacting program alumni, organizing networking and educational events for current students with alumni in various legal fields, and further strategizing ways to maintain relationships with program alumni.Develops, coordinates and markets SLSO’s Lawyer Referral Service; recruits qualified attorneys to provide reduced-fee legal services to students; administers panel database and ensures compliance with program application and rules by outside counsel.Management of SLSO’s data collection, analysis, and reporting practices. (20%)Engages in strategic planning regarding data collection; identifies sources of relevant data; develops and implements systems for effective data collection; maintains analytical software necessary for data collection; executes data analyses and reporting, and maintains databases.Uses statistical and historical data to identify trends and recommend policy changes and creation of new legal education initiatives. Prepares information and reports analyzing student success metrics and client satisfaction; prepares annual reports; engages in strategic planning using benchmarks from outside data sources, including the Office of Institutional Research and Planning. Presents proposed strategic plans to the SLSO Director on development, operations, finances, and assessment strategies.
Other FunctionsPerforms related duties, as assigned or required, to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectivesUnderstands responsibilities with respect to Title IX, FERPA, Clery, and other compliance requirementsDemonstrates capacity, skill and willingness to engage students, and contribute to student successWorks collaboratively with other campus stakeholders to fulfill the mission of Student Affairs and Campus LifeUnderstands responsibilities, with respect to conflicts of interest, and behaves in ways consistent both with law and with University policyContributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace, defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaborationUnderstands and contributes to the implementation of departmental and institutional goals for achieving non-discrimination and creating a respectful, inclusive environment that is supportive of diversityUses access to sensitive and/or not yet public University related information only in the performance of responsibilities of position and exercises care to prevent unnecessary disclosure to others
Minimum Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field and at least five (5) years’ experience in operations, development, external relations and/or strategic planning, including knowledge of principles of office management and practices OR Masters of Business Administration degree or related field and at least three (3) years’ experience, in operations, development, external relations and/or strategic planning, including knowledge of principles of office management and practices.Knowledge of budgeting and personnel principles and practices.Experience in developing and implementing outreach and marketing campaigns.Demonstrated proficiency in applying regulations related to office practices.Demonstrated experience in developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with internal and external constituencies.Proficiency in Microsoft office applications, design software, and social networking sites.Ability to exercise sound judgment and to exercise discretion in handling confidential information.Excellent public speaking, written and oral communication skills.Strong interpersonal and networking skills.Demonstrated experience working with multicultural, non-traditional and international populations.Position requires some evening and weekend hours and some travel.Valid Class D driver’s license
Preferred Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Education, Experience, Certifications, Licensure)Experience working in a higher education or non-profit settingExperience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and reporting Notary Public license
Physical Demands/Working ConditionsTypical office environment
Additional DetailsSUPERVISION RECEIVED: Functions under the direction of the Director of Student Legal Services Office.SUPERVISION EXERCISED:Number of non-student employees directly supervised: 1-2Number of non-student employees indirectly supervised: 0Number of student employees supervised at any given time: 10
Work ScheduleMonday-Friday 8:30am-5:00pmPosition requires some evening/weekend hours and some travel.
Salary InformationLevel 28
Exempt Salary Ranges
Special Instructions to ApplicantsIn order to ensure consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for 3 professional references prior to the priority deadline of
October 28, 2021. The position may remain open until filled.
UMass Amherst is committed to a policy of equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, age, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, disability, military status, or genetic information in employment, admission to and participation in academic programs, activities, and services, and the selection of vendors who provide services or products to the University. To fulfill that policy, UMass Amherst is further committed to a program of affirmative action to eliminate or mitigate artificial barriers and to increase opportunities for the recruitment and advancement of qualified minorities, women, persons with disabilities, and covered veterans. It is the policy of the UMass Amherst to comply with the applicable federal and state statutes, rules, and regulations concerning equal opportunity and affirmative action.Advertised: Oct 14 2021 Eastern Daylight Time
Applications close:
