Assistant General Counsel
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Department: Office of the General Counsel
Duration: Indefinite
Employment Status: Exempt, Full-Time
Job
Summary
Reporting to the General Counsel, the Assistant General Counsel provides strategic legal counsel to the College on
a broad range of labor, employment, and transactional matters, ensuring compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws and
regulations. The Assistant General Counsel advises campus leaders on employment, risk management, and institutional initiatives; represents
the College in administrative proceedings and other legal matters; and oversees employment-related disputes and litigation. The Assistant
General Counsel drafts and negotiates agreements, develops and reviews policies and governance documents, and supports the College’s mission
by providing practical, solution-oriented legal guidance while proactively identifying and mitigating legal and reputational risks. Success
in this position requires strong legal judgment, sound discretion, exceptional client service, and the ability to manage complex, competing
priorities in a dynamic higher education environment.
Job Duties
- 45% – Advise clients on all aspects of
employment and labor relations, including discrimination, harassment, reasonable accommodations, leave management, wage and hour issues,
workers’ compensation, and labor relations, in a highly regulated environment subject to evolving federal, California, and local laws.
Represent the College before various federal and state agencies, including the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the U.S.
Department of Labor (DOL), the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the California Civil Rights Department (CRD), the California
Department of Industrial Relations (DIR), and the California Division of Labor Standards Enforcement (DLSE), as well as in private
arbitration and mediation proceedings. May be required to represent the College in civil court to obtain injunctions and restraining orders.
– (Essential) - 15% – Provide employment, risk management, and compliance counseling in support of various College initiatives.
Proactively identify and assess potential legal and reputational risks and recommend practical, creative solutions to mitigate those risks.
– (Essential) - 15% – Investigate and respond to employment-related claims filed by government agencies and individuals. Defend the
College in pre-litigation disputes to minimize litigation exposure. Oversee litigation matters in coordination with outside counsel at the
direction of the General Counsel. – (Essential) - 10% – Draft and review College policies, handbooks, and bylaws to ensure
completeness, clarity, and compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and best practices, with a focus on labor and employment matters
and other College operations. Develop legal memoranda and guidance documents, including questions and answers, to explain policies,
procedures, and legal requirements. – (Essential) - 5% – Serve on College committees and working groups as assigned. –
(Essential) - 5% – Draft, review, and negotiate contracts and other legal agreements on behalf of the College. – (Essential)
Minimum Qualifications
- Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from an accredited law school.
- Four years of
experience practicing law, with significant experience advising on labor and employment matters, including employment counseling, workplace
investigations, regulatory compliance, litigation management, and dispute resolution. - Demonstrated expertise in California and
federal labor and employment laws and regulations, including experience advising on employment matters, compliance issues, and related legal
risks. - Admission to practice law in the State of California or another U.S. jurisdiction, with the ability to qualify as Registered
In-House Counsel in California upon commencement of employment. - Strong client service skills with the ability to manage competing
priorities, complex projects, and a broad range of client needs effectively in a dynamic academic environment. - Demonstrated
discretion, flexibility, sound judgment, and the ability to handle confidential and sensitive matters with professionalism. - Ability
to work independently and collaboratively within the parameters of specific and general assignments. - Proficiency in Microsoft
Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), Google Drive/Docs/Forms, Adobe Acrobat, web editing tools, social media applications, and
other productivity software applicable to position responsibilities. - Strong attention to detail with the ability to anticipate and
prevent potential issues, manage multiple tasks efficiently, and deliver accurate, high-quality work products. - Excellent verbal,
written, and electronic communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with diverse constituencies across all levels of
the College. - Demonstrated commitment to justice, equity, inclusion, and diversity.
- Ability to adapt and perform
effectively in a high-volume, high-accountability, confidential environment with multiple and changing priorities. - Strong
organizational, time management, planning, and project management skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple assignments
while meeting deadlines. - Demonstrated ability to provide effective leadership, guidance, and training and to work professionally
across functions, disciplines, levels, and with diverse groups.
EXPECTED HIRING RANGE: $120,000/yr-$150,000/yr
If you are
offered this position at Occidental College, your final base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as skills,
education, experience, and/or geographic location. In addition to those factors, Occidental complies with applicable pay equity laws and
considers internal equity among current employees when developing the final offer. Please keep in mind that the range mentioned above is the
base salary range for the role. Hiring at the maximum of the range would not be typical in order to allow for future and continued salary
growth. We also offer a generous compensation and benefits package.
Source ⇲
HigherEdJobs - Legal Affairs
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