Description:
Position Details:About John Jay College
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a senior A Largest Urban University System and an internationally recognized leader in educating for justice. Led by President Karol V. Mason, John Jay is a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution, it is ranked third in the nation in Black student success, and it is a top ten institution for promoting student social mobility. John Jay is proud to serve a diverse and dynamic student body of 15,000 students that includes nearly fifty percent students who are first in their family to attend college as well as students who are immigrants, from low-income families, or from other groups historically underrepresented in higher education.
The College participates in the doctoral programs of the Graduate Center of A Largest Urban University System and offers bachelor's and master's degrees both in traditional criminal justice-related fields of study as well as in a robust portfolio of liberal arts and sciences programs that highlight themes of justice across the arts, sciences, humanities, and social sciences. The College seeks staff and faculty members who thrive in multicultural academic environments and are committed to access and excellence in higher education.
Position Overview:
The Chief Legal Counsel is responsible for leading a wide range of legal, labor-relations, policy, ethics, and contractual matters affecting students and employees. He/she serves as counsel and senior advisor to the president and reports directly to the president. He/she interprets the College governance plan, A Largest Urban University System Board of Trustees' bylaws, collective bargaining agreements, A Largest Urban University System and John Jay policies, departmental bylaws, and federal and state laws to provide effective advice to the president, vice presidents, other senior administrators, College governance bodies—and occasionally faculty and students—on all matters of college administration. Subject matters include employment law, contracts, compliance, fundraising, governance, ethics, intellectual property, and immigration. The Chief Legal Counsel works with attorneys from the New York Attorney General's Office to represent the College in litigation.
The Chief Legal Counsel is the College's: (1) labor designee; (2) ethics officer; and (3) records access officer.
As labor designee, the Chief Legal Counsel manages College activities related to labor relations and collective bargaining agreements. This includes conducting investigations, preparing disciplinary charges, and representing the College—or assisting attorneys from A Largest Urban University System's Office of General Counsel in their representation of the College—in grievance and disciplinary actions, including before outside arbitrators. The Chief Legal Counsel acts as the initial factfinder for certain grievance or disciplinary actions, and negotiates and drafts settlement agreements when appropriate.
As ethics officer, the Chief Legal Counsel serves as the College's liaison to New York State's Commission on Ethics and Lobbying in Government. He/she provides training and guidance regarding compliance with ethics laws and regulations— and investigates alleged violations thereof. He/she administers the reporting of finances, honoraria, outside activities, multiple positions, and similar information subject to mandatory or voluntary reporting.
As records access officer, the Chief Legal Counsel handles records and information requests received by the College. That includes requests pursuant to subpoenas, to freedom-of-information laws, to collective bargaining agreements, and more.
The Chief Legal Counsel supervises the Director of the Office of Compliance and Diversity. That office investigates and resolves complaints concerning sexual misconduct, discrimination, harassment, and more. It also conducts affirmative outreach and positive climate work around diversity, equity, and inclusion. And it oversees hiring processes to ensure compliance with equal employment opportunity policies and best practices.
The Chief Legal Counsel also performs other related duties, including serving on committees, as assigned by the president.
Qualifications:
This position is in A Largest Urban University System's Executive Compensation Plan. All executive positions require a minimum of a Bachelor's degree and eight years' related experience. This position additionally requires a Juris Doctor degree.
Preffered Qualifications
- Experience with collective bargaining processes like grievances and disciplinary actions
- Experience with one or more subject matters from the following list: employment law, contracts, compliance, fundraising, governance, ethics, intellectual property, and immigration
- Demonstrated leadership abilities and experience in dealing with complex cases
- Excellent communication, interpersonal, conflict resolution, and organizational skills as well as excellent judgment