Deputy General Counsel (Education)

JOB SUMMARY
The Deputy General Counsel reports directly to the General Counsel and is responsible for managing the daily operations of the Legal Services Department of the Office of the General Counsel.

Assists the General Counsel in providing legal advice and counsel to the Governing Board of HCC, the Chancellor, and College.

The Deputy General Counsel has responsibilities in areas of actual and potential legal liability, including but not limited to, reviewing and drafting contracts, advising on personnel matters, providing representation in internal administrative proceedings, interpreting federal and state laws and regulations, interpreting system policies, regulations, and rules, developing and drafting policies and procedures.

Executive level staff at HCC are system-wide leaders that share the responsibility to collaboratively support the one-college vision articulated in our strategic plan – Embracing Houston's Future – with college strategic priorities as measurable manifestations of our shared Mission, Vision, and Values.

Responsible for the design, execution, and effectiveness of a system of internal controls which provides reasonable assurance that operations are effective and efficient, assets are safeguarded, financial information is reliable and compliant with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures.

Manages Talent Engagement activities for direct reports in regards to: recruiting and selection, hiring and termination, training, development, mentoring, counseling, and performance evaluations.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
Support the General Counsel in providing legal representation to the College.

Manage and supervise the staff of the Legal Services Department of the Office of the General Counsel.

Manage and oversee various litigation and adversarial proceedings.

Interpret and implement applicable state and federal laws, rules, and policies.

Work closely with Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and serve as a secondary point of contact to TASB.

Advise and counsel the Governing Board, Chancellor, Vice-Chancellors, Presidents and Associate Vice-Chancellors of the College, and other administrators of the College.

Oversee and manage legal support on employment matters including applicable laws and regulations.

Oversee and manage litigation and claims involving the College.

Oversee and manage legal support, and/or interpretations on labor law, discrimination complaints, grievance processes, faculty, and student issues.

Oversee and manage compliance with legal standards applicable to the implementation of egalitarian plans and programs.

Keep abreast of emerging legal issues that may have an impact on the College.

Oversee and manage drafting business contracts, building leasing/acquisition matters, ground leases, construction contracts, other real estate transactions, and service agreements.

Oversee and manage the maintaining of standard contract forms, reviewing, and negotiating agreements, providing contracts training and the resolution of contract disputes.

Collaborate with the Compliance Director in providing and maintaining college-wide policy and procedure training to ensure compliance.

Oversee and manage the research of legal issues and provide written recommendations and memorandum.

Oversee, develop, coordinate and conduct training on legal topics for administrators and support staff.

Assist the General Counsel in the development, preparation and implementation of board policies, by-laws, administrative procedures, and other guidelines.

Work with regulatory and legislative bodies, courts and Office of the Attorney General.

Review, monitor and validate all legal charges submitted to HCC from outside legal firms.

Assist the General Counsel with Trustee Elections (including application, election deadline schedule, ballot order drawing, placing candidate names on ballot, assist with agreements for costs associated with election, canvassing of votes and public postings), as requested by the General Counsel.

Assist the General Counsel with conferring with citizens seeking to speak before the Board of Trustees, as requested by the General Counsel.

Represent the College at community meetings, internal committees, internal/external tasks forces, and conferences, as requested by the General Counsel.

Manage the staff and allocated budget of the Legal Services Department.

Serve as lead on assigned projects.

QUALIFICATIONS
Education & Experience
 

• J. D. degree from an accredited law school required
• Master's degree in Public Administration, Business Administration or other management program preferred
• 8 years of legal experience (including labor, employment law, Texas Open Government law, Education law, Texas Education Code, business contracts, and litigation management), representing governmental entities, higher education, Texas community colleges or school districts required
• Supervisory experience leading, empowering, and delegating effectively to others or experience as a General Counsel preferred

Licensing & Certification
 

• Valid Texas Driver License
• State Bar of Texas License is required

Special Skills
 

• MS Office Programs
• Information Management Systems
• Budget Management

Competencies
 

• Acting as a Champion for Change
• Thinking like an Entrepreneur
• Driving for Results
• Leveraging Opportunities
• Setting a Strategic Vision
• Attracting & Developing Talent
• Inspiring & Motivating Others
• Acting Strategically
• Demonstrating Beliefs & Principals
• Managing Resources

Working Conditions
General Office. Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner. Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements. May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE:
This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

 

The Organization
Houston Community College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country's largest singly-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.

The Team 
Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You'll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you'll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.

Location
Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:
 

• Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City's 55.
• Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.
• Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
• Houston is a major-league sports town, and don't forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
• The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
• World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate health care system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation's top institutions.
• With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston's cultural scene.
• Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.

If this sounds like the role for you and you're ready to join an amazing team, please apply right away.

EEO Statement
Houston Community College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran's status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:
 

• Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator
• Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX
• PO Box 667517
• Houston, TX 77266
• 713.718.8271 or hcc.oeotix@hccs.edu

HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages involvement, innovation and creativity.

Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact (713) 718-8565.