General Counsel

The General Counsel at Chemeketa Community College is part of the  Governance and Administration Division.  This position serves as the primary legal advisor, responsible for developing, interpreting, and administering college policies and procedures, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, and providing legal counsel on a wide range of college matters including claims, contracts, archives, and copyright. This role involves advising various college departments and the Chemeketa Community College Foundation, managing external counsel, and representing the college in negotiations and responses to complaints from external agencies (EEOC/OCR, BOLI). The General Counsel also plays a key role in college governance through committee participation, meeting participation and attendance,  contributes to the annual Clery Act Report and provides budget management for the legal department. The position requires effective teamwork and a commitment to continuous improvement.

Chemeketa is a proud Hispanic-Serving Institution that aspires to be an inclusive environment where we honor and value the unique contributions of our diverse students, employees, and community. We seek to foster cultural competence and pursue equitable solutions that support all students in achieving their educational goals. If you are interested in joining the work of the college to pursue a supportive and inclusive culture, we encourage you to apply.

When applying for this position, please attach the electronic documents listed below. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected as an incomplete application. Any documents you provide that are not listed will not been seen by the Search Committee.

• Resume
• Cover Letter
• Unofficial Transcripts - An electronic copy of your academic transcript(s) from an accredited institution which clearly indicate the degree awarded, and any other applicable information, must be attached with your application if you would like it considered as part of your eligibility for the position. Any applicants who earned academic credentials from outside of the United States and wish to use those credits for consideration must also upload an evaluation of college credit earned at the non-U.S. institution.

College Legal Advisor

• Develops, interprets, and administers policies, procedures and guidelines for the college
• Advises and communicates with administrators and other college staff on state and federal regulations and laws related to college legal matters of all kinds
• Assists with investigations regarding claims including but not limited to: worker’s compensation, risk management matters, Americans with Disabilities Act and general liability tort claims
• Advocates college positions in negotiations of non-employee related contracts
• Settles or makes recommendations to college executive team and College Board of Education regarding legal issues
• Researches and keeps informed about legislative and judicial action and changes which affect department and college operations and ensures compliance of operations
• Advises on college archives, copyright, and various legal issues
• Functions effectively as a team member at department, division and college-wide levels
• Retains outside counsel when legal expertise is required and acts as primary college contact
• Works directly with the Director of Public Safety on Annual Clery Act Report
• Advises Chemeketa Community College Foundation on legal matters

Complaint Response and Information Requests

• Follows through with requests for information from external agencies and organizations, including but not limited to OCCA, HECC, state agencies, College Board of Education, and the legislature
• Responds to Human Resource Department questions regarding background check issues in a timely manner
• Responds to EEOC/OCR and BOLI complaints on college’s behalf
• Presents Employee Rights and Responsibilities at New Employee Orientation (NEO)
• Works directly with College Property Manager on property leases and negotiations
• Works with Facilities or land use issues and remedy of construction related contracts
• Works directly with Procurement department to update standard college contracts, help with drafting unique contracts and available to answer a variety of questions
• Works directly with Risk Management department regarding insurance and workers compensation matters

College Board & Committee Meetings

• Serves on committees; organizes or monitors the work of committees, initiates and maintains communication with outside agencies
• Attends monthly board meetings and college Board Executive Sessions when needed
• Member of Alcohol, Marijuana and other Drugs Committee
• Active member of the college’s Threat Assessment Team, Copyright Committee, ADA/Accessibility Task Force, Title IX and FERPA Team

Budget & Reporting

• Prepares proposed legal department budget and administers approved budget
• Plans, writes, and compiles reports
• Compliance team member: Collects data from various sources and prepares annual Clery report.
• Implements and maintains system to track college legal issues and potential claims
• Review attorney fee statements for approval and payment

Other Functions

• Motivates and encourages all team members to actively participate in continuous improvement activities in order to facilitate delivery of effective, high-quality services to both internal and external customers. 
• May be asked to learn, lead, and use Lean practices

Institutional Expectations

• Embraces diversity and actively collaborates effectively with a variety of students, staff and the public from diverse cultural, social, economic and educational backgrounds
• Participates in recruitment and retention of students at an individual and institutional level in promotion of student success
• Embraces, understands and uses appropriate technology tools to accomplish job functions
• Provides high quality, effective service to internal and external customers through continuous improvement and adoption of lean office practices

Your application will be scored based on the minimum qualifications, core competencies, and preferred qualifications. If you are unsure whether you meet all of the qualifications listed below, we encourage you to apply and address through your application materials all of the relevant education, transferable skills, and related experience that makes you a great candidate for this position. The information provided on your application will be used to determine step placement upon hire. Please ensure you include all information on your application which you wish to be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

Law degree from an American Bar Association accredited institution
-AND-
Licensed to practice law in the State of Oregon in good standing
-AND-
Seven years of related legal experience, including both civil and criminal; experience with civil litigation and settlements

Core Competencies

• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Strong negotiation skills
• Thorough understanding of legal documents and contracts
•  Strong teamwork skills
• Basic computer literacy

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with public contract laws; public records, and meeting laws, construction law, and workers compensation law
• Experience working in higher education law and knowledge of community colleges
• Experience drafting policies and procedures
  
  

SCHEDULE & MODALITY

• This is a 100%, 12-month exempt assignment of the E2 band and grade
• This position has a 1-year probationary period
• All positions at Chemeketa are required to be available for work onsite as requested by the college.
• Requires flexible work schedule based upon program needs which includes some evening and weekend work and/or travel; in-state and out-of-state meetings, conferences, institutes, training and/or other meeting attendance as required
• This position may require the use of your personal vehicle for transportation between campus locations
• Requires the provision of official transcripts upon hire
• Employees must maintain Oregon, Washington or Idaho residency as a condition of employment.
• Successful applicants for designated positions must successfully pass a background inquiry, which may include criminal, driving, credit and full background checks. Only information relevant to the position will be considered. An individual with negative information on their background inquiry will not necessarily be denied employment. 
• Providing false information will result in rejection of an application, employment offer or dismissal

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

Sedentary Work:  Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Sedentary work involves sitting most of the time. Jobs are sedentary if walking and standing are required only occasionally and all other sedentary requirements are met.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE

Applicants are eligible to use Veterans' Preference when applying with Chemeketa Community College in accordance with ORS 408.225, 408.230 and 408.235; and OAR 105-040-0010 and 105-040-0015. Preference will be given only if the applicant meets the minimum criteria of the position and electronically attach the required documentation at the time of application.

For information regarding Veterans' Preference qualifications, visit http://www.oregonjobs.org/DAS/STJOBS/vetpoints.shtmlq

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR VETERANS' PREFERENCE 

• One of the following:
  • MEMBER COPY 4 of the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214 or 215) -OR-
  • Letter from the US Dept. of Veterans Affairs indicating receipt of a non-service connected pension -OR-
  • Certification that discharge or release from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate
• In addition to one of the above documents, Disabled Veterans must also submit one of the following:
  • A copy of their Veterans disability preference letter from the Department of Veterans Affairs -OR-
  • Certification that medical separation from active duty under honorable conditions will take place not later than 120 days after the submission of the certificate.

You can request copies of your military service record through the National Archives website at http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/ 

*Please Note: As part of the first round of screening, the committee will conduct an anonymous review of the application materials and will not be able to view any personally identifiable information. Please be sure that your application is complete and thoroughly depicts how you meet the minimum qualifications, core competencies and preferred qualifications. 

Required documents must be provided at the time of application. Any applications which do not have the required documents attached will be considered incomplete. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Chemeketa makes employment decisions based solely on the candidate's demonstrated competencies as related to successful performance in the position.  

PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS

Chemeketa Community College is considered a qualifying public employer for the purposes of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, full-time employees working at the College may qualify for forgiveness of the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments under a qualifying repayment plan. Questions regarding your loan eligibility should be directed to your loan servicer or to the US Department of Education.

LEGAL COMPLIANCE

Chemeketa Community College prohibits unlawful discrimination based on the following:

Under College policies, equal opportunity for employment, admission, and participation in the College’s programs, services, and activities will be extended to all persons, and the College will promote equal opportunity and treatment through application of its policies and other College efforts designed for that purpose. 

504/ADA Coordinator for Students

For concerns, inquiries or complaints regarding student disability accessibility and accommodations, please contact Karen Alexander, Director of Student Accessibility and Testing Services. Ph: 503.399.5276

Section 504/ADA Coordinator for Employees 

For concerns, inquiries or complaints regarding employee disability accessibility and accommodations, please contact Alice Sprague, Vice President of Governance & Administration. Ph: 503.399.2537

Persons having questions or concerns about Title IX, which includes gender-based discrimination, sexual harassment, sexual violence, gender-based violence, and stalking, please contact the Title IX coordinator, Jon Mathis. Ph: 503.584.7323, Located at 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem, OR 97305, You can find additional information at http://go.chemeketa.edu/titleix. 

All persons having questions or concerns related to Equal Employment Opportunity or Affirmative Action should contact the Affirmative Action Officer at 503.399.2537, 4000 Lancaster Dr. NE, Salem OR 97305.  

Individuals may also contact the U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR), 810 3rd Avenue #750, Seattle, WA 98104, 206.607.1600. 

To request this publication in an alternative format, please call 503.399.5192. For language access please call 503.399.2537 or email alice.sprague@chemeketa.edu.