Assistant General Counsel

Posting Details

Posting Details

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Institution
South Dakota State University

Working Title
Assistant General Counsel

Posting Number
NFE02597P

Department
SDSU-Legal Counsel

Physical Location of Position (City)
Brookings

Posting Text

The South Dakota State University ( SDSU ) Office of General Counsel is currently seeking a dynamic, collegial, and collaborative Assistant General Counsel to join our team. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting SDSU’s legal needs by providing guidance on a wide range of legal issues, including litigation, employment law, compliance, and policies impacting the university community. This role is located in Brookings , South Dakota and is a 12-month, full-time, benefits-eligible position.

The South Dakota State University Office of General Counsel coordinates and provides efficient and effective legal and other related services to university employees on matters that involve or affect the university, while upholding the university’s core values.

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant mission of access.

Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES :
The Assistant General Counsel will provide legal guidance and representation in a wide range of matters, including administrative and legal proceedings, litigation, and employment law. Responsibilities include serving as lead counsel in litigation cases, advising SDSU Human Resources on employment-related issues, and assisting with EEOC, DOL, and DOJ inquiries and investigations. The Assistant General Counsel will also review, draft, and analyze legal documents, provide legal and factual research, and support the development of policies and procedures. Additionally, this role will involve managing subpoenas and public records requests, assisting with grievance processes, and handling a variety of higher education legal matters, including Title IX, Clery Act, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act ( FERPA ), as directed by the SDSU VP and General Counsel.

BENEFITS :
South Dakota State University offers a wide range of excellent benefits including medical, dental, and flexible benefits, retirement plans, compensation packages, paid holidays, and vacation leave. We offer a generous retirement plan that includes 6% matching, 10 hours of annual leave each month, 9.34 hours of sick leave each month, and eleven paid holidays. Relocation benefits are available per university’s guidelines. Employees also have access to internal and state-sponsored training as well as reduced tuition for state-supported courses at all State of South Dakota academic institutions.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS :

• Bachelor’s degree (BA/BS) and Juris Doctor (JD) from an ABA -accredited law school completed by date of application;
• At least three years of successful experience as a practicing attorney;
• Member in good standing of the South Dakota Bar, or licensure with the South Dakota Bar within 12 months of hire required;
• Demonstrated strong critical thinking and problem solving skills;
• Strong legal research, analytical, and writing skills;
• Ability to digest state and federal requirements and limitations/opportunities and findings into cohesive and succinct documents;
• Strong communication skills with all constituencies, coupled with the tenacity and ability to manage a significant caseload across multiple areas of law, including handling assigned appearances in proceedings;
• Strict adherence to deadlines, with a self-starter mentality and strong independent work skills;
• Strong organizational and project management skills, with proficiency in MS Office and the ability to use various office equipment and software; and
• A valid driver’s license or ability to obtain within 30 days of employment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS :

• Experience practicing law in higher education, government practice, compliance, litigation, administrative or civil actions, employment or related area.

APPLICATION PROCESS :
This system will guide you through the electronic application form. This employment site will also require the attachment of a cover letter, which should specifically address how the candidate meets the qualifications as outlined in the advertisement, resume, legal writing sample not to exceed five (5) pages (attached as other document), and a reference page with the contact information for three professional references. Email applications will not be accepted. Please contact SDSU Human Resources at (605) 688-4128 if you require assistance with this process.

Any offer of employment is contingent on the university’s verification of credentials and other information required by law and/or university policies, including but not limited to, successful completion of a criminal background check.

South Dakota State University is a tobacco free environment. It is the policy of the University to maintain a drug-free environment and to thereby establish, promote, and maintain a safe and healthy working and learning environment for employees and students. This position is subject to South Dakota State University’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy 4:14.

Posting Date
01/22/2025

Closing Date

Open Until Filled
Yes

First Consideration Date
02/05/2025

Advertised Salary
The minimum starting salary for the Assistant General Counsel is $120,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Duration of the Term
12 months

If Other, describe duration

Appointment Percent
100%

Work Hours

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. weekdays.

Typical Hours Worked Per Week

Appointment Type
Regular

Faculty Status
No

Scope of Search
External (includes Internal)

If internal, define scope of search

This position requires
Travel, Overnight stays, Weekends/Holidays, Valid Drivers License

If other, please indicate

Department Description and Cultural Expectations

South Dakota State University is the state’s largest, most comprehensive university with over $60 million annual research expenditures, more than 200 academic programs and an enrollment of approximately 12,000 students. We offer a rich academic experience in an environment of inclusions and access. The university is part of a dynamic community for families, students, young professionals, and retirees, which offers an abundance of attractions and activities.

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

South Dakota State University promotes access to and opportunities for all to receive the benefit of and participate in education, research, and service and is especially interested in candidates that can contribute to this land-grant access mission. SDSU is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to, and SDSU prohibits discrimination on, the basis of, sex, race, color, creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran’s status, or any other status that may become protected in the offering of all educational programs and employment. Arrangements for accommodations required by disabilities can be made by emailing HR@sdstate.edu. Individuals with concerns regarding discrimination should contact: Equal Opportunity Officer/Title IX Coordinator, Human Resources, Morrill Hall 100, SDSU, Brookings, SD 57007. Phone: (605) 688-4128 .

Contact Information

For questions on the position, contact Tracy Greene, SDSU Vice President and General Counsel, at 605-688-5248 or Tracy.Greene@sdstate.edu .

Working Conditions

Cognitive Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the cognitive requirements for this position.
Analyzing, Comprehend, Frequent Change, Intense Customer Interaction, Logic, Memory, Multiple Priorities, Multiple Stimuli, Pace-fast, Perform calculations, Reading, Reasoning, Verbal Communication, Written Communication

Protective Clothing/Equipment

Please check the appropriate response for this position's use of the following protective clothing or equipment.

If other protection is used please identify

Physical Requirements

Please designate the physical requirements of this position
Climbing Stairs, Driving, Fine Finger Manipulation (keyboarding, pipefitting, bench work, etc), Grasping, Lifting light, Reaching, Repetitive Motion, Sitting for sustained periods of time, Standing for sustained periods of time, Use Both Hands, Use of Either Hand, Independently, Wrist Movement (twisting or rotating)

Describe any of the conditions selected

Sensory Requirements

Please check the appropriate response that describe the sensory requirements for this position.
Hearing, Speaking, Vision (With and without corrective lenses)

Working Conditions & Exposures

Working Conditions or Exposures (or potential exposures) that this position may encounter during the course of the work day.
Changes of Temperature, Exposure to Dust

Please describe, in more detail, any of the conditions checked above

General office environments. May have other exposures based on facts of case.

Working Environment

Check the appropriate box(es) that best describes the environment in which the primary function of the position is performed.
Office Environment

If you have indicated Other Environment, if work tasks involve one or more of the above, or if further explanation is necessary, please use the space provided.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * Where did you hear about this position?
   • LinkedIn
   • SDBOR Employment Site
   • South Dakota Department of Labor
   • Employee Referral
   • Department Announcement / Inside State
   • Handshake
   • Job Board (Indeed, Monster, ZipRecruiter) - Please specify
   • Industry Conference
   • Search Engine - Please specify
   • Employment Agency - Please specify
   • Newspaper - Please specify
   • HigherEdJobs.com
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Social Media (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) - Please specify
   • Radio - Please specify
   • APLU
   • List Servs - Please specify
   • Alumni
   • Other - Please specify

Documents Needed to Apply
Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. Other
4. Reference List

Optional Documents