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University General Counsel
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Position Number: 3045698
Location: Ashland, OR
Position Type: Business - Finance

University General Counsel

Southern Oregon University

Position Number: A00482

Rate: $154,670 - $177,780 @ 1.0 FTE

Position Summary:
Reporting to the President of the University, the General Counsel is solely responsible for the provision of in-house legal services for the Southern Oregon University (SOU), has primary responsibility for the provision of legal advice to Southern Oregon University and its Board of Trustees, serves as an advisor to the President as a member of Cabinet, and manages the university's legal, contracting, policy, risk mitigation and avoidance, and compliance functions. Responsible areas include, but are not limited to: contracting, risk management, compliance and implementation of federal and state laws, intellectual property oversight, statutory and rule interpretation, and administrative responsibilities as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
A law degree from an ABA-accredited law school;Oregon State Bar membership in good standing or ability to obtain Oregon State Bar membership as soon as possible, no later than six months following appointment; andEight years experience as a practicing attorney, representing complex, multi-faceted organizations.

Preferred Qualification:
Significant legal experience representing institutions of higher education, with background in and familiarity with complex transactions;Proven ability to navigate a wide range of campus legal issues effectively, such as labor and employment, student affairs, civil rights, public records, privacy, intellectual property, risk management, compliance, data privacy and security, government employee ethics, and interfacing with outside counsel;Experience that demonstrates the ability to work effectively with high-level officials and executives in government, business, and educational organizations; andExpertise in the areas of contracting, finance, construction, and similar transactional matters.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Demonstrated ability to successfully manage an institutional legal office. Skill in budget preparation and fiscal management. Ability to provide competent legal advice and counsel to senior university officials on a wide range of legal and policy issues. Knowledge of the range of applicable laws and regulations which impact on all facets of university policy and operations. Ability to analyze and interpret issues and to prepare legal opinions. Ability to supervise and train employees, to include organizing, prioritizing, and scheduling work assignments. Knowledge of current and developing legal issues and trends in area of expertise. Knowledge of the principles and procedures of legal research. Negotiating skills. Knowledge and understanding of institutional policies and procedures and the regulatory environment within which they operate. Knowledge of contract law. Knowledge of financial/business analysis techniques. Knowledge of the judicial system and procedures. Knowledge of legal documentation procedures and requirements. Ability to develop and implement legal strategies and solutions. Knowledge of community legal resources. Knowledge of faculty and/or staff hiring procedures. Initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within broadly defined parameters. Ability to work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines. Efficient computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-processing, spreadsheets, databases, and online systems. Ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires access to information, use of sound judgment and strict discretion, and maintain strict confidentiality of privileged information. Broad knowledge of, or ability to quickly learn, higher education governance, organizational structure, instructional programs, and academic policies and procedures to encompass a global perspective within a university setting. Proven ability to mentor and develop direct reports and enable high performance as individuals and as teams. Strong personnel management skills, including strategic planning, the ability to manage multiple functions, and organize institutional resources to meet goals and objectives. Demonstrated ability to work with senior officials and executives from within and outside the University, and ability to think strategically and serve as a sounding board for executive managers. Proven experience developing, organizing, and administering budgets. Knowledge of administrative practices, and organizational and management practices as applied to the analysis and evaluation of projects, programs, policies, procedures and operational needs. Commitment to process monitoring and continuous process improvement in systems and services.
Works Collaboratively. Cultivates connections with others that contribute positively to the well-
being of those involved. Works toward a common objective through the sharing of ideas and
distribution of responsibilities across team members. Strong interpersonal skills including
collaboration, professionalism and strong consultative skills conducive to building and
maintaining positive relations with administrators, co-workers, staff, faculty, union
representatives and other members of the campus community.
Growth Mindset. Demonstrates consistent resiliency to promote positive change through
adversity. Identifies potential change opportunities and actively seek to adapt. Assesses and
utilizes creative strategies to create individual, organizational, or societal change within a
situational context.
Initiative and Follow Through. Takes initiative to identify and assess needs creating measurable
objectives, and building relationships with people who will be able to help achieve those
objectives. Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines, anticipate needs, prioritize multiple tasks,
follow through, and work independently without supervision while handling frequent
interruptions and rapidly shifting priorities. Skilled at keeping detailed records and following up
on various issues. Skilled at streamlining processes to create efficiencies when necessary. Strong
leadership skills including problem solving, analytical and project management.
Experience developing and delivering presentations and facilitating meetings concerning
complex content.
Strong human relations and interpersonal skills including collaboration, professionalism and
demonstrated consultative skills conducive to building and maintaining positive relations with
administrators, co-workers, staff, faculty and students.
Proven experience in creating organizational change in a variety of ways including but not
limited to: training and development programs and onboarding.
Manage workload as appropriate and remain flexible in adapting to changing priorities.
Initiative in independently planning, organizing, and performing work assignments within
broadly defined parameters. Ability to handle multiple priorities in a well-organized and focused
manner. Ability to meet deadlines and objectives.
Excellent communication skills; ability to effectively communicate information in a clear and
understandable manner, both verbally and in writing.
Present ideas and concepts in written and presentation format and use consultative and
facilitation skills. Ability to write clear and concise reports and correspondence.
Strong analytical and research skills; ability to gather, evaluate, and to develop well-reasoned
conclusions and recommendations that are logical and defendable. Experience extracting,
interpreting and compiling qualitative and quantitative data.
Ability to proactively assess work operations and anticipate potential problems; ability to
develop and implement strategies for preventing/resolving problems.
Ability to effectively perform work of a highly sensitive and confidential nature that requires
access to information. Ability to exercise sound judgment and discretion, tact, and diplomacy.
Ability to coordinate several functions and determine the relative importance of each; ability to
work with a high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail. Excellent organizational
and time management skills with the ability to set own priorities to coordinate multiple
assignments with fluctuating and time-sensitive deadlines.
Excellent computer skills and proficiency with a variety of computer applications including word-
processing, spreadsheets, databases, online systems, social media platforms, Internet as well as
online calendaring and email.
Ability to initiate, establish, and foster communication and teamwork by maintaining a positive,
cooperative, productive work atmosphere in and outside the University with the ability to
establish and maintain effective working relationships within a diverse population and with
those from various cultural backgrounds.
Ability to adapt to and work effectively in a heavily bureaucratic environment which requires
regular interaction with a number of level within the organization and multiple outside agencies.
Demonstrated Service Excellence.
o Teamwork. Demonstrated ability to work effectively as a team player; and coordinate
several functions and determine the relative importance of each; ability to work with a
high level of productivity and accuracy/attention to detail.
o Accountability. Demonstrated ability to interpret and consistently apply a wide variety
of complex policies and procedures where specific guidelines may not always exist.
Ability to work with frequent changes in policies and procedures, under pressure of
deadlines in a fast-paced environment. Ability to manage stressful situations with tact
and diplomacy and to use sound judgement and discretion, particularly as it relates to
handling sensitive and/or confidential information.
o Quality Service. Excellent organizational and time management skills with the ability to
set own priorities to coordinate multiple assignments with fluctuating and time-
sensitive deadlines. Demonstrated customer service experience requiring a very high
level of diplomacy and professionalism to effectively handle a broad range of sensitive
interpersonal situations.

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Each applicant is required to provide (as attachments to the online application) the following supplemental documents: (1) letter providing some detail of the applicants qualifications and interest in the position; (2) current resume/CV; and (3) the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references. If you are unable to attach the supplemental materials to the online application please contact Human Resources.

For inquiries and additional information, please contact: Human Resource Services via email at hrs@sou.edu or by phone at (541)552-8553.

To view SOUs offers very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit: https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/2021_Employee_Benefits_Overview.pdf
Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.

Special Conditions
Must be willing to travel and attend training programs off-site for occasional professional development.
Must be able to work additional hours and adjust working hours to meet special jobs. May be called back periodically to perform work as needed on an emergency basis.
Must be able to successfully pass a pre-employment background check.
Under the provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA):
-Position classification defined as "exempt" are not subject overtime
-Position classifications defined as "non exempt" are *subject to overtime
The person holding this position is considered a "mandated reporter" under the Oregon Revised Statues and is required to comply with the requirements set forth by the Oregon department of Human Services.

Notice to Prospective Employees*
Section 485 of the Higher Education Act, and The Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990 (now referred to as the "Clery Act"),requires that prospective employees be notified of the availability of SOUs Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. The report provides the annual statistics and campus policies for the reporting of and responding to campus crimes and fires; access to campus facilities; conduct code and campus policies on use, possession and sale of drugs/alcohol; and educational/information programs to inform the campus community about campus security procedures and crime prevention.

An electronic copy of the Annual Security Report (ASR)can be accessed at the following link:
https://inside.sou.edu/assets/security/AnnualCrimeReportFinal.pdf. A physical copy of the ASR is available at no charge upon request. To request a copy please visit the Campus Public Safety Office at 382 Wightman Street, Ashland OR 97520. For more information call 541-552-6258, or email clerycoordinator@sou.edu.

All applicants must apply online at https://jobs.sou.edu/postings/10141.

Diversity Statement
Southern Oregon University is a welcoming community committed to inclusive excellence and the celebration of diversity. Without diversity, our educational process is diminished. Working together in support of our commitment to diversity, we strengthen and enrich our role as learners, educators and members of a tightly connected global community. We encourage those who share in our commitment to diversity, to join our community and we expect all our employees to demonstrate an ability and desire to create an inclusive campus community.