Description:

Recruitment/Posting Title Assistant General Counsel - Labor and Employment
Job Category Staff & Executive - Legal
Department - General Counsel

Overview:
Posting Summary

An American Public Research University, The State University of New Jersey, is a leading national land grant research university and the State of New Jersey's preeminent, comprehensive public institution of higher education. Established in 1766, Rutgers has approximately 65,000 students and more than 24,400 faculty and staff located throughout its main campus in the New Brunswick/Piscataway area, its Newark and Camden campuses, and its extension offices and other facilities throughout New Jersey. The University comprises 33 undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools, including two medical schools, a school of nursing, a school of dental medicine, and a law school, as well as over 130 specialized research institutes, including the Cancer Institute of New Jersey. The Office of the Senior Vice President and General Counsel (OGC) represents the University in all legal proceedings and provides legal advice to the President, Board of Governors, and administration on a broad array of legal issues. The OGC:

Manages and supervises all legal affairs for the University; and
Serves as legal adviser to the Board of Governors, the President, and other administrative officers of the University.

While the OGC provides advice on specific matters and represents the University and the Board of Governors in all legal proceedings, the Senior Vice President and General Counsel also has the responsibility and authority to designate outside counsel to fulfill these functions as needed. This position reports to the Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsels.

This attorney will work in a variety of areas, with a focus on providing advice, counsel, and representation in labor and employment matters.
Among the key duties of this position are the following:
Preparing and litigating arbitrations of contractual and disciplinary grievances arising under faculty and staff collective negotiations agreements and advising on issues arising during collective negotiations; assisting in providing guidance in collective negotiations in coordination with the Office of University Labor Relations.
Handling unfair practice charges and other proceedings before the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission; conducting research, rendering advice, and representing the University in employment-related administrative proceedings before such agencies as the EEOC and New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
Providing advice and counsel on a wide variety of legal issues that affect a public institution of higher education, primarily including labor, employment, and constitutional issues, as well as issues arising under Title IX, FERPA, , and other student-related issues; analyzing and evaluating pending legislation and regulations to determine if they apply to the University and, if so, their impact on the University; providing advice and guidance pertaining to drafting and reviewing University-wide policies and procedures; assisting with and participating in training and preventative law presentations for University administrators, managers and staff; participating in other legal projects as requested by the General Counsel or other supervising attorneys.
Advising senior administrators on matters in anticipation of litigation and preparing responses to attorney demand letters; collaborating with University Risk Management on insurance, indemnification and related issues.

Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience:

Superior academic credentials and a JD degree from an accredited law school.
Three (3) years of relevant experience of increasing responsibility, with knowledge and experience in labor and employment law, including employment litigation, general employment advice and counseling, including related union contract interpretation and disciplinary arbitration and administrative proceedings.

Certifications/Licenses

Admitted to practice law in New Jersey or admitted in another jurisdiction and willing and able to become admitted in New Jersey as soon as practicable (but not more than one year after hire).

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Excellent communication skills, excellent writing skills, and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues both within the OGC and within the University as a whole.
Comfortable taking responsibility for addressing complex legal issues within the context of a vibrant and ever-evolving institution of higher education.
Strategic decision-making and independent sound judgment as applied to complex and nuanced factual scenarios.
Ability to function effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple and changing priorities and objectives.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience representing or working for public institutions of higher education.
Experience representing public sector clients or working as an attorney in the public sector.
Experience representing or working for public sector clients in New Jersey.

Immunization Requirements

Under Policy 60.1.35 Immunization Policy for An American Public Research University Employees and Prospective Employees, An American Public Research University requires all prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencement of employment, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. An American Public Research University may require certain prospective employees to receive an updated (bivalent) vaccine dose. Under Policy 100.3.1 Immunization Policy for Covered Individuals, if employment will commence during Flu Season, An American Public Research University may require certain prospective employees to provide proof that they are vaccinated against Seasonal Influenza for the current Flu Season, unless the University has granted the individual a medical or religious exemption. Additional infection control and safety policies may apply. Prospective employees should speak with their hiring manager to determine which policies apply to the role or position for which they are applying. Failure to provide proof of vaccination for any required vaccines or obtain a medical or religious exemption from the University will result in rescission of a candidate's offer of employment or disciplinary action up to and including termination.
Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
It is university policy to provide equal employment opportunity to all its employees and applicants for employment regardless of their race, creed, color, national origin, age, ancestry, nationality, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, disability status, liability for military service, protected veteran status, affectional or sexual orientation, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information (including the refusal to submit to genetic testing), or any other category protected by law. As an institution, we value diversity of background and opinion, and prohibit discrimination or harassment on the basis of any legally protected class in the areas of hiring, recruitment, promotion, transfer, demotion, training, compensation, pay, fringe benefits, layoff, termination or any other terms and conditions of employment.